Chapter 11
Isabela dragged her suitcase off the long–distance bus, and the air in the small town was filled with the familiar scent of asmanthus.
Mother was already waiting at the platform, and as soon as she saw her, tears welled up in her eyes. She tightly held her hand and said, “It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back”
On the way home, Isabela looked silently at the scenery flying past the window.
The small town seems to have been left behind by time, hardly any changes, the breakfast stall on the street corner is still there, the locust tree at the alley entrance is still bush, as if time has stood still here.
But she was like walding up from a long nightmare, exhausted all over, but finally breathing the air of freedom
A gust of wind blew, and a falling locust flower landed in her hand.
Isabela gently held the flower to her nose, even though it was just a small flower on the verge of wilting, it still emitted a strong fragrance.
And her heart, which was as silent as dead water, seemed to slowly come back to life.
“Bella, mom has set up a few blind dates for you, all with good conditions,” Carla said cautiously, “If you’re not interested, just treat it as making a new friend”
(Isabela nodded slightly, “Okay.”
She knew she couldn’t dwell on the past anymore.
Darren has chosen Elaine, and she has to move on.
After resting at home for a few days, Isabela got herself dressed up and ready before heading out for her appointment.
The first two blind dates didn’t end well. She just wanted to get to know each other, but the guys kept bragging about their wealth and malding unreasonable demands. Their behavior was also rude and uncouth.
It wasn’t until the third blind date showed up that Isabela started to change her mind a bit.
He was a surgeon at the town hospital, named Rhett Walter.
He arrived ten minutes early than the agreed time, wearing a simple white shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up, revealing a well–defined form.
When he saw Isabela, he hesitated for a moment and then politely smiled, “Ms. Paymı?”
His eyes were very clean, no scrutiny, no calculation, just gently looking at her.
Isabela relaxed her tense nerves subconsciously.
They ordered two cups of tea Rhett didn’t rush to sell himself like other blind dates, instead he asked, “How have you been resting lately?”
Isabela was stunned
He pointed at her dark circles under her eyes and said, “You have some heavy dark circles.
She suddenly realized, “It’s been a long time since I looked at myself in the mirror properly.”
Rhett didn’t ask further, he just said, “If you’re tired, we can chat another day.”
Isabela shook her head, “It’s okay.”
They charted casually, Rhett didn’t try to force conversation, but every word was just right.
When he left, he handed her a business card and said, “If you need any help, you can contact me.”
Isabela took it and whispered a thank you.
Rhett looked at her and suddenly said, “Ms. Payne, you look… very tired.”
Her fingers trembled
“If you don’t mind,” he said softly, “we can start off as friends first.”
Isabela looked up and met his eyes for the first time.
In those eyes, there was no pity, only calm respect.
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She couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of belonging, her heart trembling
She also smiled at Rhett, showing the only sincere smile she had in months.
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