Chapter 21
Samira blinked, a little caught off guard, as Jean stepped up holding a bouquet of flowers. These are your favorite,” he said, almost too proudly it took me a while to find them, but I managed. Hope you like them.7
She stared at the flowers, then back at him, feeling a familiar sting in her chest, not from the gesture, but from the way he said it. Like she owed him something just because he went through the trouble.
That was the thing about Jean. He never used to be like this.
Back when they were younger, he was gentle. Thoughtful. He didn’t say things expecting something in return. But after everything that happened between them, his words started to feel transactional, cold, even if he didn’t mean them that way!
She let out a quiet, bitter laugh. Maybe the version of Jean she truly loved was the boy who held her hand when she was scared, who stood up for her without hesitation.
Maybe everything after that was just her trying to hold onto someone who didn’t exist anymore. “I never asked you to get me flowers,” said softly, but firmly “And honestly? Don’t do it again.”
„Jean’s expression faltered. He clearly hadn’t expected that.
Ito, not because |
“No, Samira, that’s not what I meant,” he said quickly, his tone suddenly nervous. “I bought them because I wanted to, expected anything from you”
She shook her head, not meeting his eyes. “Don’t try to be someone you’re not. It’s exhausting. And it only pushes me further away”
Without waiting for a response, she stepped around him and walked off. Later that day, when she came back from the store, Jean was
gone
The afternoon turned out calm and warm, with overcast skies and a light breeze. One of those days that felt peaceful without trying. That was when she got a message from Yosef. I want to take you somewhere. You free?
She stared at the screen for a second, then replied, [Yeah, where to?||
Something about it felt different. She had a pretty good idea what he might be planning, but surprisingly, the thought didn’t make her panic. It made her… curious.
They met up not long after, Yosef didn’t mention the awkward moment from the day before, which made her breathe a little easier!!
He led her to a nearby hill, not too steep, just enough to get the heart pumping. It took them about thirty minutes to reach the top.
And then, suddenly, the view opened up und Samira just stopped in her tracks. A wide field of flowers stretched out in every direction, blooming wildly like something out of a dream
She gasped softly, then instinctively took a few steps forward, drinking it all in.X
Tuming to Yosel, she smiled, bright and genuine. “This place is incredible. I’ve been here for years and never even knew it existed.” Yosel saw the way her face lit up and his smile followed instinctively.
“I stumbled across this place once” he said. “Back then, I told myself… if I ever had the chance, I’d bring you here. I’m glad I finally got to ”
Hearing that, Samira’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her head away, pretending to be distracted by the view⠀
The “reason” he mentioned mode her feel stronge inside. She didn’t quite know what to do with it
She had always loved flowers. Once, she even dreamed of learning (loral design, something elegant, peaceful. But that was before everything changed. Before she got labeled “the fake doughter.
Back then, it felt like people decided what she could and couldn’t do. And dreaming? That was off–limits. So she gave it up..
But standing here, surrounded by colors and quiet, that old love stirred again, gentle but real. That evening, the mayor, Maddox Lyons, Invited Yosef over for dinner to thank him for his help over the past year. Yosef brought Samim along.
The dinner was pleasant at first. The mayor even recognized her, he had known her adoptive family. But after a few drinks, he started to romble.
“Samira, your parents loved you,” he said, a little too casually. “That’s why they sent you to that rich family. I mean… sure, maybe it wasn’t the best way, but it was all for your own good.“!
“Mr. Lyons,” Yosef interrupted sharply.X
Maddox blinked, slightly jolted. Realizing he’d crossed a line, he laughed awkwardly and tapped the side of his head. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry, forget it”
Yosef didn’t say anything more. He just took Samira’s hand and stood up “Well head out now.”
They left without another word. Once they got outside, the cool breeze cut through the tension. After a few steps, Yosef suddenly realized he was still holding her hand.X
He pulled away quickly, a little embarassed. “Sorry, I didn’t even notice. I just got annoyed back there.*
Samira shook her head it’s fine.”
He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his neck. “About what he sold… don’t let it get to you. He was tipsy and talking nonsense. You didn’t do anything wrong. Samira. You don’t owe anyone an explanation, not for the past, not for anything.”
Samira lowered her head and smiled quietly, but didn’t say a word. She hadn’t come back just to visit. Deep down, she knew she came back to stay, to sort of trap herself here.
It wasn’t until now that it hit her, she had been carrying all the guilt, like everything that happened was somehow her fault
If she hadn’t been there, maybe Luna wouldn’t have been replaced. If it weren’t for her, maybe her parents wouldn’t have made those
choices.
So here she was, clinging to this place, like watching over it would somehow make up for it all.
Yosef noticed how quiet she’d gotten and didn’t just let it slide. He stepped closer, gently grabbed her shoulders and crouched a little so she’d look at him
“Samira, this isn’t on you,” he said firmly. “Your parents made their own decisions. This has nothing to do with you. You don’t need to keep punishing yourself. This is your life, you get to live it how you want, not how anyone else thinks you should.”
His words hit her hard. She looked up and met his eyes; strong, steady and full of something that made her chest tighten. And just like that, something inside her shifted.
She didn’t know what it was exactly, but it felt like a part of her was waking up, like she had been underwater for too long and was finally coming up for air.
