Love's Redemption

Chapter 28

It took me four hours to get to Amaty by high-speed rail. The city lights were just coming on. It wasn't as bustling as Hilcord. But it was still brightly lit, exuding the beauty of a small town.

Lisa's call came on time. "Are you there yet? Have you found a place to stay?"

She didn't expect me to leave so hastily. When she asked where I was going, I gave her the address and the time of my train ticket.

Lisa asked if I was leaving in such a hurry to avoid Chris. She thought I was afraid that Chris would cling to me.

I told her that she was wrong and that Chris wouldn't do that. He was probably angry now. After all, I had stood him up.

Now, it seemed that I was right. Since the time he had contacted me to ask why I didn't go to register for our marriage, he hadn't sent me a single text or made a call.

I came here in such a hurry because I had always wanted to come. I also didn't want to be pestered-not by Chris but by Bree and Zack. They would definitely find me and persuade me.

But I've already made up my mind. Persuading me would only waste their energy and exhaust me. Given this, it was better to leave quickly and not give them any chance.

I even put my other frequently used number on airplane mode. Lisa was now calling my secondary number, which even Chris didn't know. This number was my dad's. It had been in the other slot of my phone for ten years, never ringing until now.

"Not yet. But I'm not in a rush," I said, looking around this unfamiliar city. It suddenly felt as if everything slowed down.

"Why not? It's getting late. You should find a good hotel in a safe location. Check the closet and look under the bed before sleeping. Make sure to lock the windows and the door," Lisa instructed.

I laughed, feeling touched because I still had her care. "Alright, I will. I promise."

"Also, don't forget to eat. There should be food delivery services there, right?" Lisa asked. Just then, a delivery guy walked by.

"Should I order one to chat with you?" I joked.

Lisa sighed in relief. "Maddie, you must always take good care of yourself, no matter what."

"Yeah, I know. You should rest early too. You have surgery tomorrow morning." I reminded her before hanging up.

I wasn't in a hurry to find a place to stay because I didn't want to stay in a hotel. This place

was my hometown. More accurately, it was where my parents were born. That was why I came here.

My parents weren't native to Hilcord. They moved there for business opportunities but never made much money. In the end, they lost their lives there.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I was also born in this small county. But shortly after, my parents took me away.

Although I grew up in Hilcord, my dad often spoke about Amaty. He said that he would take me here to see where we used to live. He'd also show me the orphanage they grew up in.

My parents were orphans. They were abandoned at a young age due to their disabilities. My dad had been born deaf and mute, and my mom had been born with a congenital heart disease.

However, they had both received surgery with the help of kind people and eventually recovered.

I opened my phone's photo album, where I had a picture of the address from my dad's diary.

I hailed a taxi and showed it to the driver. "Please take me to this place. It's Old Alley at Willow Lane."

The driver glanced at me after I spoke. I couldn't help but look back at him, and I was slightly taken aback.

The man had a buzz cut. He was tan with sharp and stern features.