[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603134E5B19-48":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},48,30,"Chapter 30: A Key to the Past","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Tears streamed down Celine Evans' face as she read the letter, her sobs wracking her body. Through a blur of tears, she looked at Dante Williams, unable to form words.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante gently wiped her tears away, pulling her into a tender embrace. Patting her back, he murmured, \"This was from Mom and Dad. Remember that locked room in the house?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She nodded faintly. \"Dad locked it,\" he continued. \"It was meant to be your room, all decorated with cute, girly things. But sadly, no one's opened it since they passed.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her sobs intensified, her sniffles echoing as tears dampened his shirt.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Shh, don't cry,\" Dante sighed, his voice laced with helplessness. \"A few days ago, I was looking for an old document in Dad's study and found the key. When I opened the door, I found these two boxes on the nightstand, waiting for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine's dam of emotions finally broke, and she sobbed uncontrollably. She was supposed to have parents who loved her unconditionally. They would have approved; she would have been so happy. They were good people, but...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante held her tight as she grieved, his own heart aching with a pain that stole his breath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After that emotionally charged night, both found a measure of solace.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine slowly lowered her defenses, beginning to accept his overtures.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But she also stated she needed to focus on her studies and asked him not to visit too often.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, they struck a deal: he'd only see her during winter and summer breaks, and on her birthday.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lost in thought, Dante set down the document and picked up his phone. Still no reply. He knew he had to go see her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He wondered what was up with his girl. She hadn't responded to his messages since last night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After that final, honest conversation, Celine no longer pushed him away. They settled into a comfortable long-distance relationship, more like besties than lovers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He texted her daily, sharing random bits of his life, sending pics of his grandpa, and never failing to tell her he missed and loved her. They had their occasional spats, but he never lost his temper. It seemed he just couldn't bring himself to stay mad at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine, in turn, would sometimes play coy, acting spoiled like any other girl her age, and dating him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Things were looking up, day by day.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Past hurts never truly vanish, but if the person who caused them truly repented and never repeated their mistakes...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, as time marched on and they navigated life together, those old wounds would fade, shrinking into a tiny, almost forgotten corner. They might sting if accidentally poked, but they'd become so small, so infrequent, they'd barely register. Couldn't she then follow her heart and embrace the man who loved her?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine was convinced the answer was yes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, after a lot of soul-searching, she decided to let go of past pain, to free herself, and to finally say goodbye to what was no more.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Stepping off the plane, Celine glanced at her phone, a bright smile gracing her lips as she saw the missed call notifications.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Someone was about to freak out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But it was okay, because he'd be seeing her very, very soon.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272932966]