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That name was once my entire life. We had weathered so many storms together, only to part in the most tragic way imaginable. I
thought time had long since healed everything, that I would never hear that name again, but I never expected him to still be searc-
hing for me.
I lowered my head, not daring to look, and as if to distract myself, gently stirred the latte in my hand. The sweetness of the milk
and the bitterness of the coffee intertwined, just like my complex emotions. I tried to pull my thoughts back to the present, remind-
ing myself that I had started a new life, and shouldn’t be troubled by the past.
These past few years, I had transformed. I left everything familiar behind, left that pain–filled homeland, and came to an entirely
new environment. I embarked on a long journey, visiting places my mother had always dreamed of, stepping onto lands she had
only seen in photographs. I felt the comforting sea breeze on the beaches of Bali, tasted romantic coffee on the streets of Paris,
ting se
witnessed the great animal migration on the African savanna, and absorbed every landscape with my heart.
On my travels, I met all kinds of people, heard all sorts of stories. I slowly began to understand that the world is vast, and life holds
countless possibilities. So, I stopped dwelling on past hurts and began to embrace a new life.
Not long after, i settled in a picturesque town in Southern France, opening a small shop. I sold treasures I had found during my
travels, along with small, exotic handicrafts. The shop’s name was “Moments.” My life became peaceful and fulfilling. Every morni-
ng, I would be woken by my alarm clock, then begin my day’s work.
Just when I thought I had completely forgotten the past, the gears of fate turned once again. I met Christopher Stone, a traveler
from a neighboring country. He had bright eyes, a sunny smile, and a charming wit. Our acquaintance was quite ordinary. At a gat-
hering for fellow travelers, Christopher, unlike others, wasn’t curious about my past experiences. Instead, he respected my choices and accepted my past. He told me that everyone has their own story, and the past doesn’t define everything; what matters is the
present and the future.
As time passed, our feelings for each other gradually deepened. He took me to many places I had never seen, showing ine more of
the world’s beauty. We went diving together in Australia, waited for the aurora borealis in the Arctic Circle. He showed me his
plans for the future, and my place was firmly in them. I was touched by his sincerity and acceptance. I knew he was the one truly
right for me.
However, the shadows of the past were not so easily dispelled. When Christopher proposed to me, I hesitated. I was afraid of being
hurt again, afraid of losing again, afraid of betrayal, afraid of deception. I told Christopher about my past experiences, the pain t
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hurt again, afraid of losing again, afraid of betrayal, afraid of deception. I told Christopher about my past experiences, the pain! had suffered, my worries, my insecurities. I thought he would back away, but he didn’t.
“Lila, I know you’ve been hurt, but I’m willing to give you time, willing to wait for you to heal.”
“I love you, not because of your past, but because of your present and your future.”
“Time will prove everything. Trust me, okay?” Christopher held my hand, his gaze firm and gentle.
