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Novel Catalog
Chapter 11
Abigail smiled, a slight twinkle in her eye, as she gently leaned back in her chair, still feeling the warmth of the wine. “I’ll head back in a few days, after we’ve celebrated Ricky’s big win. But I’ve got some business to take care of here first. You know how it is.” She waved her hand dismissively, though her tone was casual.
Eden nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at Henrick. “Well, don’t stay away too long,” she said with a gentle smile. “The children miss you.” Her voice carried a hint of affection, despite her usual composed demeanor.
Henrick, still beaming from his victory, turned toward his mother. “I’m really glad you came, Mom. I’m doing this for you.” His voice was full of earnestness, and there was a tenderness in his eyes that reflected the close bond they shared.
Abigail’s smile faded for just a moment as she looked between Eden and Henrick, but quickly recovered. “You’re making me emotional, Ricky. This is just the beginning for you. Your future is brighter than ever.”
Eden chuckled softly and placed a hand on Henrick’s shoulder, pride evident in her eyes. “You’ve worked hard for this, Ricky. I’m so proud of you. You deserve all the applause.”
The group shared a quiet, content moment together, the bond of family evident in the way they interacted. But even amidst the celebration, Eden couldn’t shake the feeling that something—someone—was still missing from their lives.
As the evening wore on, the laughter and clinking of glasses filled the air, but Eden’s mind wandered back to the past. Thoughts of Victor resurfaced, his image haunting her in the quiet moments between the cheers and conversation. She couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing now, if he was thinking about her as much as she had thought about him all these years.
Abigail, noticing the distant look in Eden’s eyes, leaned forward slightly. “Eden,” she began softly, “You’ve been lost in thought for a while. Everything okay?”
Eden blinked, as if snapping back from her reverie. She gave a small smile. “Just thinking about the past,” she admitted, her tone thoughtful. “It’s strange, you know? How life changes so much in such little time.”
Abigail’s expression softened, and she nodded knowingly. “I understand. But the future is brighter for you now, isn’t it? You’ve made a life for yourself and your children. You’ve done so well.”
Eden gave a faint smile, but there was a trace of something deeper behind her eyes—a longing for closure, perhaps, or an old wound that had never quite healed.
“Yes,” she said quietly, “but sometimes… I wonder if I’ll ever find peace with the choices I made.”
The conversation drifted, but in the back of her mind, Eden couldn’t shake the feeling that the unresolved parts of her life were still waiting to be faced. And perhaps, just perhaps, the arrival of a new face in her life—Henrick Bleu—might finally bring those long-buried emotions to the surface.