Chapter 1
Chapter 416
The car cruised away from the bustling heart of the city, heading north and gradually slipping into the chaotic outskirts. The buildings on either side shifted from their quirky designs to old, rundown structures, and Nathalie found the scenery growing more and more
familiar
She shot a curious glance at Lizzy “Lizzy, how do you know this area?”
Lizzy gave her a bashful smile “All the mysteries in your heart will soon be unveiled
Nathalie sighed, “Always full of secrets, aren’t you?”
She settled back into her seat, closing her eyes for a little rest. It was strange. The sky had been clear earlier, yet now, after crossing half the city, they were caught in a curtain of rain.
“It’s raining.” Lizzy mentioned as she parked the car at the plaza near Rainbow Bridge, the spot Nathan had told her about. She peered out at the rain–drenched world, the surroundings melting into a foggy haze. Lizzy felt a knot of worry it looked like their trip might be for nothing.
Nathalie opened her eyes, gazing through the car window at the misty landscape. Through the rain, she could make out the Rainbow Bridge. This place was all too familiar, tangled with countless sorrowful childhood memories.
“Why’d you bring me here, Lizzy?” Nathalie’s voice was cool, almost detached.
She never liked this place. It was a constant reminder of her unhappy childhood. Every corner seemed to echo that she was an unloved orphan.
Lizzy blinked her innocent eyes, saying, “I didn’t know it would rain…”
With the rain, maybe she wouldn’t find that spot….
Nathalie just sighed internally. What did the rain have to do with anything?
She leaned against the car window, quietly watching the bridge, the streets, the plaza. Memories played out in her mind like an old movie reel.
She recalled being a little girl, her mom chasing her down the street with a belt, yelling, “Nellie, you’re such a jinx. Why do I have to look after you? Do you know I got divorced because of you?”
“You owe me your whole life, and you have to repay me. You’ll have to look after me forever.
If you can’t beg for food, don’t bother coming home.”
Tears welled up in Nathalie’s eyes. She admired her younger self for not crumbling under her mom’s harshness, for blooming into a strong flower despite the storm.
The scene shifted, showing young Nathalie clutching a bowl at Rainbow Bridge. She timidly sat next to an old beggar woman, who said to her, “Oh my goodness, you’re so young to be begging. My own family won’t take care of me, but you are such a pretty girl. How could your parents let you do this?”
Even as a child, Nathalie had a keen, sharp mind. She didn’t want anyone to know she was a forsaken child, so she fibbed with a smile, “Granny, I’m just out here trying to experience life.”
The old woman bought her story and kindly taught her the art of begging. Nathalie picked up the tricks but couldn’t bring herself to loudly ask for money. Instead, she learned a new skill: collecting plastic bottles to sell.
With tangled hair and dirt–smudged clothes, she roamed from street to street, a string of bottles bouncing on her shoulder, her face lit up with a satisfied grin.
When she earned some money, she eagerly took it home to her mother, “Look, Mom, I can make money now.” But Miranda only rolled her eyes, never satisfied with what Nathalie brought home. “Is that all? Get back out there.”
Chapter 417
