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Novel Catalog
Chapter 35
Kenneth turned around, his face softening at the sight of his little sister, Gia, standing there with her big eyes filled with unspoken sadness. He sighed, walking over to her and gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face.
“I’m sorry, Gia,” he said, his voice filled with genuine regret. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just didn’t want to disturb Mom too much. She’s already been busy with a lot, and I didn’t think she’d have time to talk to both of us.”
Gia’s lip trembled as she pouted even more, her small hands tugging at his sleeve. “But I miss her too, Kenny. Why does she have to work so much? I want to talk to her too.”
Kenneth’s heart ached as he saw his sister’s eyes fill with tears, but he knew exactly how to handle her. He crouched down to her level and smiled gently, brushing the tears away before they could fall.
“I promise we’ll talk to Mom together later. How about that? We’ll call her again this afternoon, okay?” he offered, trying to make up for his earlier actions.
Gia sniffed, her frown still evident, but she seemed to be considering his words. Finally, she gave a small nod, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “Okay, I’ll wait. But you have to promise you won’t hang up this time.”
“I promise,” Kenneth said with a reassuring smile.
Just as he turned to get ready for the day, Gia added, “Can we tell her we’re coming to River City soon? I want her to know I’m excited too.”
Kenneth’s heart lifted at her words. He hadn’t realized just how much Gia was looking forward to the move. His mother’s decision to settle in River City had seemed abrupt, but hearing Gia’s excitement made everything feel a little more real.
“Of course, we’ll tell her. We’re all in this together,” he said, giving her a warm hug.
Meanwhile, Eden had just finished her call with Kenny and was in the midst of preparing for the day. Her thoughts wandered to her upcoming move to River City. There was a sense of hope in her heart—hope that the new environment would offer her children better opportunities, and perhaps, a fresh start for herself as well.
As she got dressed, she looked out of the window, her eyes lost in thought. The transition would be difficult, but it was necessary for her family’s future. She wasn’t just doing it for herself; she was doing it for her children—especially for Kenny, who had always been so supportive of her decisions.
The idea of River City was bittersweet. Eden had her own reasons for hesitating. Memories of her past had always lingered in the back of her mind, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that there were things still left unresolved. But seeing her children so eager to settle there made her realize how much they needed this change, and that made the decision easier.
“Alright, time to focus,” she muttered to herself as she adjusted her blouse, making sure she looked presentable for work.
As she walked out of her bedroom, the phone rang again. This time, it was Abigail, her long-time friend.
“Hey, Eden! How’s everything going? Are you ready for the big move?” Abigail’s voice was full of excitement.
“Hi, Abigail! Yes, I’m ready. Just a bit nervous, you know, with everything changing so quickly.”
“Don’t worry, you’re going to do great. And River City has so much to offer! You’ll see. And when you’re settled, we can finally catch up properly.”
Eden smiled. “I can’t wait for that. Thanks for always being there, Abigail.”
“No problem. Anyway, I’m here if you need anything. Just let me know. You’ve got this.”
Eden felt a little more at ease after talking with her friend. She was grateful for the support that surrounded her, even though the changes were overwhelming. River City was the next step, and she was determined to make it work for her family.
After hanging up, Eden took a deep breath, grabbing her purse and keys before heading out the door. It was time to face another busy day, but this time, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. River City awaited, and she was ready to take the leap.