All Chapters of The Tale Not Old As Time: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

TwelveThe trauma of losing her loved ones in a single day had irrevocably changed her perception of Christmas Day. The once joyful season had become a truly somber reminder of the tragedy that had befallen her. The sight of snow, a symbol of peace and tranquility, now filled Florence with nothing but absolute horrifying dread, a haunting reminder of the loss that she had endured.“Why had it been my family? Why had I been chosen to suffer such a devastating loss? Why was I the only one who survived? Why did I not die that night with them? Why did I have to live? Why did I have to keep living without them in it?” The questions echoed strongly in her mind, a constant source of torment. She would never wish such pain on anyone, yet she could not help but feel a sense of hopelessness and confusion. “Why had it been me? Why has my family been taken from me through such a cruel death?”The weight of grief was always heavy for her for years now, as if it was a burden that she will forever c

FourteenFlorence’s chest heaved as she nodded her head, her lips parted slightly. Her hands, trembling slightly, reached out to accept the envelope. She and Heath had connected through a sugar daddy website called SecretBenefits, a topic frequently discussed among her fellow female college students as a means to add more to their income on platforms like FansOnly. Their initial encounter had been immediate, and Heath had wasted no time in expressing his desires to marry. While hesitant, Florence’s dire financial situation had compelled her to consider the proposal.Florence’s desperate financial circumstances had forced her to contemplate the proposal. Driven by a fierce determination to survive even if she had been hanging by a thread, she was willing to consider any option, no matter how unconventional. Despite the profound depression that had enveloped her in recent years, she still harbored a desire to make her parents and older brother proud by obtaining a college degree. She be

Sixteen“I want to do a runthrough with you.” Heath chimed as he was driving to the location.Florence shifted her focus to Heath as the car was moving, acknowledging his request with a polite affirmative nod.“We are heading to The Noble Cause dinner, and it will be a huge event especially for the both of us. For you, as well. Of course, for me.” He smiled widely, “This is our first public appearance as a couple, so it is crucial and very imperative that we convincingly portray ourselves as a genuine pair.” Florence nodded, indicating her understanding. “Remember to subtly display the engagement ring,” she muttered.Heath praised her right away, “Very excellent. But remember to be discreet with the ring, avoid flaunting it excessively, as that might appear unnatural.”Florence nodded her head once more, confirming her understanding of his instructions. She then inquired, “May I ask you a question?”Heath raised an eyebrow, curious about her question. “What is it? You are not usually

18 “”EighteenAs the evening progressed, Florence’s boredom grew more, and she found herself mechanically stirring the remaining food on her plate. At the same table, Florence sat among the wives of the businessmen, who were engaged in discussions about high-end salons and luxury brands from Italy and other countries they could actually afford without a sweat. Florence, however, found these conversations uninteresting and struggled to pay attention.Startled by the sudden surge of loud music from the stage, Florence dropped her fork in pain. Her right ear was particularly sensitive to such sounds, a condition that her doctor had previously warned her about. An orchestra provided live music for the affluent attendees of the ballroom, but Florence found the noise overwhelming. She struggled to cope with the sound, instinctively holding and covering her hearing aid to alleviate the discomfort.“Babe,” Heath placed a gentle hand on Florence’s shoulder, rubbing her spine soothingly. “Are

Twenty Chaos smiled widely before letting her know, “They are absolutely divine. The pastry is flaky and buttery, and the filling is a perfect blend of creamy cheese and savory herbs.” He spoke slowly, but not too slow, but he spoke with care and consideration for her. “They are the perfect bite-sized treat to tantalize your taste buds.”As Chaos spoke, he gestured towards the tray of mini quiches, his eyes sparkling with excitement and care. He then pointed to one of the quiches for Florence to see. “Just look at that golden brown crust,” he said, “It is simply irresistible. Do you want to take a bite, miss?”Florence stared at mini quiches on the tray. “The filling is so flavorful,” He continued while smiling at her, “and the balance of saltiness and sweetness is just perfect. I highly recommend trying one.” He held out the tray to Florence, urging her to take one. “Trust me, you will not be disappointed.” He reassured her with a confident smile before adding, “For allergens, it h