Reborn From Oblivion

Lizzy suddenly had a lightbulb moment. "Sis, did you plant the orchard just for him?"

A warm smile spread across Nathalie's face. "That's the one thing I could do for him. When we were kids, we often went hungry together, and I promised him that when I grew up, I'd buy a piece of land and plant whatever he fancied, so he'd never have to go hungry again."

Lizzy pondered aloud, "He must really appreciate it. That's probably why he hasn't eaten out since you've been around."

Nathalie's fingers twitched slightly as she got lost in thought. "Whoever shaped him, giving him a touch of humanity, deserves real admiration."

"I really should thank him properly."

Lizzy chuckled, "Sis, if you ever run into him, make sure to thank him properly."

"Yeah," Nathalie nodded in agreement.

The first thing Nathalie did after coming out of her retreat was to visit her biological father at St. Mary's Hospital.

This was her first outing since Nathan's accident, and she was a whirlwind of emotions. Nathan had always been her shadow, never letting her go anywhere alone. Even when he was busy, he'd make time for countless check-ins.

But now, she had to face the world solo.

Nathalie sat in the backseat, with Lizzy at the wheel, as the car cruised gently through the crisp winter morning.

She stared sadly out the window, watching the tall, bare trees slip by one after another.

Suddenly, a police van transporting prisoners came into view, and both vehicles were forced to stop due to traffic congestion.

Nathalie's window was half-open, but her view was completely blocked by the police van.

She stared blankly at the opposite window, unable to see past the tinted glass, and let out a frustrated sigh.noveldrama

Unbeknownst to her, a man wearing sunglasses inside the police van was watching her every move.

His reaction to seeing Nathalie was a mix of shock, surprise, and a hint of joy.

Afraid that time would slip away too quickly, he kept his eyes locked on her.

But she looked so thin.

Seeing her like that tugged painfully at his heart.

Nathalie

of the

gaeemed to feel the i

from the other vehicle

She slowly lifted her head andels

looked outside.

To the man, her gaze seemed to land directly on him.

He reached out his hand, touching the glass as if trying to connect with her, palm to palm, through the air.

"Do you know her?" a police officer asked, noticing his odd behavior.

The man shook his head. "I haven't stepped out in ages. I don't know anyone out there."

The officer didn't press further.

Finally, the traffic began to clear, and the police van started moving again.

The man watched as Nathalie's beautiful yet tired face drifted away, and he closed his eyes in silent pain.

Upon reaching St. Mary's Hospital, Nathalie overheard people gossiping about a wealthy young man who got sentenced that day. He was accused

of cyber crimes, among other things, and was facing multiple convictions.

Life imprisonment.

People talked about him with a sense of loss.

"He was so handsome."

"Not even twenty-one yet."

"What a shame."

"An unloved kid, with a disability; maybe he felt he had nothing to live for."

"Once you're in, it's tough to get out."

Nathalie had always kept gossip at arm's length.

After all, it's hard to separate fact

from

preferon in rumors, and she

not to get caught up in all

no

that.