Upstairs, on the balcony…
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Finn watched as Marina looked up, her silence spoke volumes as she quietly lowered her head again. He let his smile fade and shot a glance at Daron, who was standing off to the side.
‘Daron, doesn’t this scene feel familiar to you?” Finn asked.
Daron frowned, staying silent.
Finn laughed softly, “Remember the first time you saw Marina at my house? We were still in college back then.”
‘I still remember the way she looked up at me and called out my name. You were standing right beside me, and I could see how your eyes lit up.”
Daron pulled his gaze back from outside the balcony and replied in a low voice, “Really?”
Finn grinned, “Isn’t it? I’ve always had a sharp memory. I’m pretty sure I remember it right.”
Daron just stared at her, speechless.
Finn reached out and patted Daron on the shoulder.
The year the Finley family had that incident, Marina was still just a teenager. It must’ve been hard for her to handle all that it once.”
But in the end, she left everything behind and went back to Sicester with her mom. She went from being the pampered laughter to having her whole world turned upside down, and of course, that changed her. She’s not as outgoing and cheerful as she used to be.”
Girls who’ve been through family troubles tend to be more sensitive. Daron, over the years, you’ve had countless rich girls wanting to marry you. Marina probably doesn’t feel all that secure.”
Daron stayed silent.
Finn said quietly, “If she hadn’t gone back to Sicester with her mom and had stayed with her grandpa, maybe she’d be as confident as Elnora. But that’s not what happened. Her mother has always been a sensitive person, and Marina was influenced by that.”
‘Now that you’ve married her, you should really think about how she feels.”
Daron’s voice was low and steady as he answered, “I know.”
Finn nodded, a hint of relief in his tone. “As long as you do.”
“Marina and Kara grew up together. Honestly, I’ve always thought of Marina as another little sister,” Finn said.
With that, he turned and walked off the balcony.
Daron glanced at Finn’s back, frowning slightly. In the end, he kept his thoughts to himself and fell in step behind him.
Downstairs.
Zara was sitting in her wheelchair, chatting with Hayley and Kara’s parents.
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Kara led Marina over, and her mother’s gaze slid right past Kara, landing straight on Marina.
“Marina, you finally here!”
Marina gave a soft nod and flashed a smile as she greeted Kara’s mother, Arine Gross.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Gross,” Marina said with a polite smile.
Gerald gave a gentle nod and smiled warmly.
“Long time no see. When did you come back to Vrufield?” he asked.
�:།
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The last time Marina visited the Gross family, Gerald had been away on business, so they hadn’t met. He’d only heard from his wife that Marina had returned to Vrufield.
Now, seeing Marina in person, he couldn’t help but feel how much time had passed. There was a gentle, almost paternal fondness in his eyes as he looked at her.
Marina gave a polite smile. “I came back about two months ago.”
Gerald nodded, then asked, “So, are you planning to settle down in Vrufield for good?”
Marina nodded. “Yeah, everything in Sicester is taken care of, so I’ll be living here from now on.”
Gerald nodded. “It’s good to have you back. Come visit us more often, okay? We’ve watched you grow up, so there’s no need to be so formal with us.”
Marina nodded softly and said, “Sure.”
Someone nearby called out to Gerald, so he turned and walked over.
Arine gently took Marina’s hand, her smile full of warmth.
‘Now that you’re back in Vrufield, we feel so much more at ease. All these years while you were away, we really had no idea what kind of friends Kara was making without you around.”
Kara quickly jumped in, “Come on, Mom, don’t say that! If Marina gets jealous and gives me the cold shoulder, what am I supposed to do?”
Arine couldn’t help but laugh, giving Kara a look that said she absolutely adored her.
‘You’re such a tease,” she said.
Kara plopped her head onto Marina’s shoulder, grinning.
“Marina, don’t listen to my mom. I haven’t really made any new friends these past few years. You’re still my best friend, no matter what,” she said.
Arine couldn’t help but laugh at Kara’s antics.
Hayley and Zara joined in with polite smiles.
But their smiles were faint, and it was obvious they weren’t really feeling it.
When Hayley married into the Zamora family, she didn’t really keep in touch with the Finley family,
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Chapter 333
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She wasn’t raised the way Wilhelmina was, with all that careful attention and training, so she never had the kind of natural confidence and poise that just seemed to come to Wilhelmina.
When she first joined the Zamora family, she was always on edge, never quite sure of herself.
There were plenty of times when she just couldn’t bring herself to show up at parties with any real confidence.
It wasn’t until Daron took charge of the Zamora Group that she finally started to come out of her shell and be more high- profile.
Hayley had always hoped Zara and Kara would hit it off and become close friends.
After all, among all of Daron’s buddies, Finn was his best friend.
f Zara and Kara really clicked, it would mean Zara was truly part of Daron’s inner circle.
3ut Kara was totally spoiled by her family, so she pretty much just did things her own way.
f she liked someone, she’d make an effort to get close. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t even spare them a glance.
so all these years, Zara and Kara never really connected. They just swapped numbers, but never actually spoke to each other.
Hayley was hoping today would be a good opportunity for Zara and Kara to bond, maybe with a little nudge from the amilies. But instead, Kara ended up pulling Marina into the group.
And just like that, all of Arine’s attention was completely stolen by Marina.
Lara’s fingers curled slightly in her lap, but she kept that polite little smile as she glanced at Marina and Kara.
she asked softly, “So, Marina, you and Kara have been close since you were kids?”
Arine shifted her gaze from Marina and Kara to Zara, smiling warmly.
Oh, yes, they’ve known each other forever. They practically grew up together. When they were little, they used to snatch
ottles from each other!” she said with a laugh.
Zara bit her lip and gave a small smile.
You guys are so lucky to have each other. I wish I had a friendship like that,” she said, her voice soft and a little wistful
Arine had a kind smile on her face, her voice soft and reassuring.
That’s just how life goes. Sometimes you gain something, sometimes you lose something.”
If you’d kept hanging out with your childhood friends, you might never have crossed paths with Mrs. Blanchard,” she
continued.
Having Mrs. Blanchard as your mom changed everything for you, didn’t it? So it’s only natural that some old friendships faded away. Don’t feel bad or envy them. Honestly, you’re already luckier than most
Zara’s smile grew brighter as she reached out and took Hayley’s hand.
“Yeah. Having her as my mom is the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said softly
If it weren’t for Hayley, she probably would’ve never even set foot in a place like this.
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Chapter 333
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After turning eighteen, unless a kid was exceptionally gifted and the orphanage decided to keep helping them out, most were just left to fend for themselves.
Most of her childhood friends ended up working to survive right after turning eighteen.
But she was able to step into places like this, living a life worlds apart from her old friends.
She was already living a life that the friends she grew up with at the orphanage could never even dream of reaching.
Zara really did feel lucky.
But she couldn’t help but feel that maybe she could be even luckier.
AD
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
