Nestled in the luxurious passenger seat, Aria watched the cityscape Mur past her window
The cool breeze caressed her face, coaxing a genuine smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes with long-
no absent joy.]
A small trinket swayed gently from the rearview mirror, catching the sunlight
“Oh my God, the figurine!” Aria gasped, delight overtaking her features.
She carefully cradled the ceramic piece in her palms. Marcus had preserved it immaculately, the glaze remained vibrant, casting a soft glow in the morning light.]
Back in college, he’d crafted two miniature sculptures–one depicting himself with an exaggerated goofy expression, the other capturing Aria mid–yawn.]
They’d exchanged the figurines, carrying a piece of each other wherever they went.[]
“Whenever I missed you these past years–which was basically every waking moment–I’d take out this little piece of you. I’ve handled it so much the paint’s starting to fade,” Marcus admitted, affectionately squeezing her hand.
Mine was smashed by Sophia,” Aria confessed, disappointment clouding her features momentarily.]
“Hey, don’t sweat it. We’ve got all the time in the world ahead of us–Ill make you dozens more,” Marcus promised, his tone leaving no room for doubt.]
“I’d love that,” Aria whispered through tear–brightened eyes.
Sunlight streamed through the panoramic sunroof, bathing them in golden warmth. Life stretched before them like an open road, offering countless opportunities to reclaim what had been stolen from them.[]
The car turned into an exclusive gated community lined with architectural showpieces that screamed “tasteful wealth.“]
However, one property on the far right stood out dramatically from its neighbors.[]
Its exterior walls boasted vibrant murals bursting with life and energy. The sprawling yard exploded with wildflowers in every imaginable hue, centered around a handcrafted swing fashioned from reclaimed driftwood and sturdy vines.[
Near the entrance sat a charming shelter designed specifically for stray cats, complete with fresh water and premium food bowls.[]
A rotund orange tabby and a languid black–and–white feline currently lounged inside, basking contentedly in a patch of sunshine.[]
Something clicked immediately in Aria’s mind–this had to be Marcus’s place.
In college, they’d regularly rescued strays together, even volunteering at rural outreach programs bringing supplies to underprivileged children.]
Sure enough, the Rolls–Royce pulled to a stop directly in front of this vibrant anomaly among the cookie cutter luxury homes.
The moment Aria stepped onto the driveway, several cats trotted over, tails held high as they greeted her with enthusiastic meows.[]
Marcus laced his fingers through hers as they approached the front door.]
When he flipped the light switch, tears immediately sprang to her eyes.]
The interior was an exact replica of their college apartment, down to the smallest detail.[]
Since childhood, Arla had suffocated under her parents‘ suffocating control. After fighting for admission to a university across the country, she’d finally tasted freedom–only to discover her parents had bribed her roommate to spy on her.[]
That’s when she and Marcus found their own place.[]
They’d carefully selected a small apartment overlooking the Pacific. The living room featured floor–to–ceiling windows that framed the ocean perfectly. When sunset painted the waves with liquid gold, they’d experience a tranquility that defied description.[]
They’d collected seashells to create whimsical art pieces, crafted unique vases from upcycled materials, nurtured delicate narcissus bulbs, and purchased quirky fabrics to create cartoon–like rugs depicting themselves.[]
Chapter 11
Their happiest moments came on weekend evenings–returning from the farmers market loaded with snacks and fresh fruit, curling up together on their thrift store sofa, and streaming classic sitcoms on their secondhand projector.[]
Those precious memories had gradually faded over time, especially after their apartment building was démolished to make way for a glitzy shopping complex.]
But now, miraculously, everything she had treasured in her memories stood before her, tangible once more.]
She touched the seashell mosaic on the wall with reverent fingers, as if reaching through time to touch her younger self.[]
“I couldn’t find exact matches for the original shells, so I made these from resin. The ones we collected were one–of–a–kind–I searched everywhere but couldn’t duplicate them,” Marcus explained, a touch of sheepishness in his voice.[]
He retrieved a bottle of Mexican hot chocolate from the refrigerator, mixing it with almond milk before handing her a steaming mug.[]
The sofa had been upgraded to premium materials–plush yet supportive. On the high–definition projector played the exact episode of Friends they’d been watching the night before their attempted escape.[]
Something primal and overwhelming surged through Aria. She spun around and launched herself at Marcus, drinking in his handsome features before claiming his lips in a desperate, hungry kiss.
They clung to each other frantically, each kiss deepening with years of pent–up longing. They embraced as if trying to erase the physical memory of their separation, desperate to merge into one being that could never be torn apart again.
When they finally separated, Aria gasped for breath, a flush spreading across her cheekbones.
“Now tell me everything. What the hell happened these past three years?”
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