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Floyd roses were known for their vivid colors. They were bold, passionate, and full of life.
They also carry a romantic meaning: “You drift casually through my dreams, turning my heart into a garden of fragrance.”
After placing the bouquet in a vase, Charlotte remembered what the nurse had told her. Sean had come by just half an hour ago.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Was he still here?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she couldn’t stop herself. She had to find out.
She pushed open the door and quickly walked toward the elevators.
It was seven in the morning. The sun was already warm against the pavement.
Charlotte wore a simple lavender short–sleeved dress. The moment the elevator doors opened, she hurried across the hospital grounds toward the outdoor parking lot.
And then–she saw him.
Her steps slowed.
Sean was still here.
He stood leaning against a Cullinan, head slightly bowed, a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. Thin wisps of smoke curled up into the air before slowly drifting away.
He didn’t notice her standing there, watching him from a short distance.
He looked completely lost in thought, quiet and far away from the chaos of the world.
Morning sunlight fell across his figure, softening the sharp lines of his face.
She hadn’t seen him in days.
Charlotte’s breath caught. She took a few slow steps forward.
As if sensing her gaze, Sean looked up. Their eyes met.
He froze.
The next second, he put out the cigarette and flicked it into the trash can nearby.
Charlotte didn’t like the smell of smoke.
He used to never smoke.
Lately, everything had been difficult. Between his family and the company, Sean had been going nonstop without a break.
Their relationship weighed heavily on him too. He missed her terribly, but there was no way to return to the way things used to
- be.
Every time he thought about her, it felt like the air was being squeezed from his lungs. Smoking and drinking were the only things that helped dull the ache in his chest.
But drinking made him reckless. He hated that. So he smoked instead.
Charlotte walked up to him.
Sean instinctively took a step back. “Don’t come too close. I still smell like smoke.”
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Thai scend that she didn’t like.
The lowered his eyes and said quietly, “Sorry, I just needed something to ease the pressure.”
He was afraid she would be repulsed.
“It’s okay,” Charlotte said softly, “Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”
His voice was low and steady. “I’m glad you liked them.”
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask why he hadn’t knocked. Why he didn’t come in to see her.
But the words caught in her throat.
Sean seemed to know what she was thinking. “I didn’t want to wake you,” he said. “So I left the flowers and left”
Charlotte nodded. “Mm.”
Silence settled between them, heavy and unspoken.
After a moment, she said, “I should head back. Drive safe.”
“Okay.” His gaze was warm as he watched her go.
26
That evening, Charlotte received a call from Lena.
“Lottie, do you have a minute? There’s something I want to tell you.”
Her tone was unusually serious, which surprised Charlotte.
They were close so what could possibly require this much buildup?
“Sure. What’s going on?”
There was a pause. Then Lena asked, “Do you remember Megan Stone?”
Megan Stone?
Why was Lena bringing her up?
“Yeah, I remember her. We’ve met, but we weren’t close. Didn’t she go overseas?”
“She did. But she’s back now.”
“I see. So why are you bringing her up?”
There was another brief silence.
“She’s back for Sean.”
Charlotte paused. She didn’t respond and just waited for Lena to continue.
And Lena did, all at once.
“She confessed to him before she left seven years ago. We met the other day, and she told me directly that she came back this time to win him over.”
The room was brightly lit. On the small table by her hospital bed, the bouquet of roses released a quiet, fragrant sweetness.
As Lena’s words echoed in her ears, Charlotte sat still, staring blankly at the flowers.
