Chapter 2: The Apartment
Chapter 2: The Apartment
An hour later, Charles sat in the back of a car beside Emily.
The luxury vehicles from the gala traveled through neighborhoods he hadn't visited in years.
The skyscrapers disappeared.
The lights grew dimmer.
The streets became narrower.
Finally, Emily pointed toward an aging apartment building.
"Here."
Charles stared.
This was where Anna had been living?
All these years?
They climbed four flights of stairs.
The hallway smelled of old paint and rainwater.
Emily opened the door quietly.
"Mom?"
A weak voice answered from inside.
"You're home early."
Charles froze.
Even after eleven years, he recognized that voice instantly.
Anna.
She sat on a small couch near the window.
Pale.
Thin.
Older.
But unmistakably Anna.
The moment she saw him, the color drained from her face.
The room fell silent.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
Eleven years of unanswered questions stood between them.
Finally, Anna whispered:
"Charles..."
His eyes filled with tears.
"Why?"
That single word carried a decade of pain.
Why did you leave?
Why didn't you tell me?
Why did you disappear?
Anna closed her eyes.
May you like
And the truth finally e
merged.
