As the car came to a halt, the elderly housekeeper swiftly opened the rear door and respectfully addressed the woman inside: “Miss, we’ve arrived.”


    The woman in question is Deana Thorne.


    After disembarking from her flight, she had brought along two children as they traveled with the housekeeper to the Thorne family’s old residence. Once they settled in and organized their belongings, Deana eagerly requested the housekeeper to show her the ce where Bruce had lived before his passing.


    Meanwhile, Fitz and Zara, Deana’s siblings, had their own agendas. Fitz headed to the orphanage to discuss potential donations, while Zara focused intently on herptop, sifting through countless portraits in search of Charlie.


    Deana felt a mix of happiness and calmness. After all, she was visiting the home of Bruce, the man she had loved throughout her life, and it felt somewhat inappropriate to bring along the children.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    However, a wave of anxiety washed over Deana. Even though Bruce had been gone for many years, the moment she stepped foot in this ce, an overwhelming tension gripped her. It was reminiscent of her youthful days spent in love with Bruce, when just the thought of seeing him would set her heart racing and her breath quickening.


    With her heart pounding, Deana exited the car and gazed at the quaint southern-style courtyard visible over the low stone wall. The wall featured multiple hollow blue brick designs, allowing a clear view into the yard.


    At that moment, the yard was a stark sight, overrun with dead weeds and littered with fallen leaves. The neglected osmanthus trees had turned into lifeless wood, and the main building’s wall was draped with dead vines.


    The small courtyard appeared quite dpidated, yet Deana could envision how vibrant it could be if properly maintained. She imagined it lush with greenery and colorful foliage during the rainy spring and summer seasons, creating an enchantingndscape.


    Though the courtyard was modest in size, its elegant architecture was evident. The walls were crafted from blue bricks, the roof was adorned with blue tiles, and the pathways were paved with bluestones. The humid summers in the south meant that a rain shower would likely leave the green bricks and blue stones cloaked in moss, which gives off a natural, aged charm. For some, this moss can be slippery and somewhat off-putting, but for those who appreciate Eastern ancient culture, it represents a poetic and tranquil beauty. Whether it flourishes in the yard, climbs the fence, or decorates a bonsai, moss adds a unique touch of elegance and serenity. Thus, among writers and schrs, moss is often revered. In Deana’s eyes, the once-dpidated courtyard vividly evoked the charm of Bruce’s home.<fn8c62> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? findnovel</fn8c62>


    In her imagination, she could see the young and handsome Bruce ying with his children in this very yard. The vision was so vivid that Deana felt as though Bruce was truly there, with a little boy—his son—spinning joyfully around him.


    Suddenly, the old, weathered door creaked open, and a tall, dignified woman appeared, her beauty evident even in an apron that still clung to her waist.


    The woman greeted the father and son with a warm smile, inviting them in for dinner. The scene of a harmonious family sharing music andughter was undeniably heartwarming. Lost in her thoughts, Deana studied the woman closely, only to realize that the figure in her imagination was not Bruce’s original wife, but rather herself!