Chapter 25
Two years later, at the employee recognition ceremony, a small celebratory dinner was held in an unused section of the
factory to honor Evelyn.
The moment people heard they didn’t have to work overtime, the whole workshop was buzzing with excitement.
Evelyn had just received a commemorative enamel mug printed with the words “Outstanding Employee” when she was
immediately surrounded by a crowd of coworkers cheering and teasing.
The team leader, face flushed from a few drinks, slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. “So, Evelyn, when are we going to drink at your wedding banquet? Don’t tell me we have to wait till we’re all old and grey!”
Evelyn’s cheeks turned bright red. She quickly waved her hands. “Please don’t tease me like that, Mr. Webb.”
No sooner had she finished speaking than someone from the crowd chimed in, “Oh, playing coy now, are we? Come on-
everyone knows Daniel Whitaker has a thing for you!”
“Exactly! Daniel’s one of the best young men we’ve seen grow up here. If you two get together, you better throw us a
proper party!”
Right then, Daniel squeezed his way through the crowd, holding two cups of water. He gently pulled Evelyn aside and said
with a smile, “Okay, okay, that’s enough teasing. She’s the guest of honor tonight.”
He took the glass of liquor out of her hand and replaced it with a warm cup of water. His eyes, as always, were filled with
warmth and care.
The noise and wine were beginning to make Evelyn’s head spin, so she stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh
air.
The summer night breeze was thick with heat, leaving her slightly breathless.
Footsteps approached from behind-it was Daniel.
“Too much to drink?” he asked, handing her another cup of warm water.
Evelyn took a sip, her eyes drifting toward the horizon as she spoke softly, “It’s nothing… just overheard someone saying
Leonard… might’ve left.”
The name hit her like a dull, rusty needle-Leonard.
It pricked her heart, just slightly.
She hadn’t expected it to affect her this way.
Evelyn never imagined Leonard could be brought so low by the woman he once loved the most-Lillian. She didn’t know
how that must have felt for him.
She had long since moved on from the past, but hearing his name again still left a faint ache behind.
Daniel paused for a moment before replying in a quieter voice, “Yeah… heard he went down south.”
“Oh.” Evelyn lowered her head. “It’s not a big deal, really. I guess I just wasn’t expecting it. That’s all.”
Worried that he might misunderstand, she quickly added, “Really, I’ve let go. Just… surprised, I guess.”
Chapter 25
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Daniel didn’t respond right away. He simply stood quietly beside her.
Evelyn grew nervous at the silence, wanting to say something to fill the space. But then she saw him take out a small box
from his pocket.
Td planned to give this to you at the right time,” he said, his fingers a little pale from gripping it. “But after hearing what you said just now… I realized there might not be a better moment than this.”
She blinked and opened the box. Inside was a silver wristwatch.
She’d seen this very model at the store once-100 dollars, no less.
“Evelyn, Daniel said, voice tinged with tension, “I know you once loved someone else. But I can wait. These past two years, watching you slowly find yourself again-it’s made me really happy. And now I just want… to keep walking this path
with you.”
He looked at her, his gaze steady and sincere. “Will you give me that chance?”
Her fingers trembled slightly around the box.
Memories of Daniel’s quiet presence, his unwavering support over the last two years, filled her mind.
And in that moment, Evelyn realized: she was happy. Truly happy.
Maybe this-this calm, content, quietly joyful life-was what she had always been searching for.
The past may have left scars, but the future was still wide open.
Especially with Daniel by her side.
She looked up, meeting his expectant gaze-and suddenly, she smiled.
“Yes,” she said softly with a nod, taking the watch from the box. “Would you help me put it on?”
Daniel’s hands were steady, and as the clasp clicked into place around her wrist, a sense of peace settled over her.
Laughter and chatter still echoed from the workshop behind them.
But here, in the breeze of a summer night, two hands quietly clasped together-grasping the start of a new life ahead.
Chapter 1 Divorce
