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CHAPTER 107: Counting Pennies
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Emily
Seven years ago; when I first met Bronn...
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Sarah As the mother and daughter vanished from the reporters' sight, they turned their attention to me, coming closer with a blend of surprise and barely concealed hostility. "Mr. Martin!" Lila's eyes held admiration as she recognized my ex-fiancé standing beside me. I arched an eyebrow, seeing her reddened cheeks. "What are you doing here?" Margarette, my dad's new wife, asked with a hint of panic in her voice, glancing at Bronn. Bronn's presence at the gathering wasn't surprising given his reputation. What really surprised them was my unexpected appearance beside him. I allowed a smirk to play on my lips. "Surprised to see the real Sarah Benner in this gathering?" Lila's anger twisted her face, her composed façade crumbling. "Ha! You're just being funny! It's your fault for hiding away! You should be thanking me for keeping your name relevant!" This woman is beyond being ridiculous. I could easily dismiss them as being brainless. I ignored Lila's outburst, focusing my attenti
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Jane "Jane!" Brody's voice echoed through the hallway, making me freeze. Oh no! He was really here. My heart raced as I approached the door and peeked through the peephole. Brody was on the other side, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His usual neat look was a bit messy—his necktie was crooked, his top button undone, and a hint of stubble darkened his jaw. Should I open the door? "I know you're there, Jane," he said, his voice low and steady. Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned the lock. The click felt loud in the quiet. When the door opened, our eyes met, and the months apart vanished instantly. Brody's eyes scanned my face, lingering on my swollen eyes that showed I'd been crying. I saw a mix of emotions pass over his face: concern, guilt, and something more intense. Without a word, he stepped inside. The scent of his cologne enveloped me as he pushed the heavy oak door closed with his foot. Before I could gather my thoughts, his hands cupped my face, thumbs gentl
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Philip A week passed, then two, then three… Ethan eventually had to ask me to leave, as some patients needed the hospital's facilities more. "I can visit you at Serenity Pines, or even drop by Luminary Productions if you need someone to clean your wounds," Ethan offered. I remained silent. I wanted to stay at the hospital because Sarah was here. Fear gnawed at my chest, making sleep impossible. I was paralyzed by the terror of receiving the devastating news that my wife had passed away, that her body had finally given out, or any other heart-wrenching update while she was out of my reach. As much as I wanted to stay by Sarah's side, I couldn't longer ignore our children's needs. Iris and Rowan needed stability and a bit of normalcy. The hospital, with its sick patients and germs, wasn't a good place for a four-year-old to stay. Rowan's small voice interrupted my thoughts while I changed into a clean t-shirt in my ward, trying to gather the energy to face another day. "Uncle Eth
