Chapter 8 - The Girl in the Photograph Who Called Me Sister
Anna was alive.
She lived under the name Hannah Carter.
She worked at a bakery in Indiana.
When we found her, she had no idea she was a Bell.
She was suspicious.
Angry.
Terrified.
But when my mother saw her, she knew.
The same eyes.
The same smile.
Another piece of our family.
Hannah cried when we told her.
“I thought I had no family.”
I hugged her.
“You do now.”
She looked at Noah.
“And him?”
I smiled.
“He's complicated.”
Noah raised an eyebrow.
“I am standing here.”
She laughed.
It was the first time we had all laughed together.
The past was finally becoming something we could discuss instead of fear.
But there was one remaining problem.
Noah still carried guilt.
He believed his family had poisoned ours.
One evening, he disappeared.
I found him in the old cemetery.
Standing before his father's grave.
“You left without telling me.”
He looked at me.
“I needed to think.”
“About?”
“Whether I deserve you.”
I stepped closer.
“That isn't your decision.”
“I hurt people.”
“So did my father.”
“My father destroyed lives.”
“So did mine.”
“You shouldn't have to pay for that.”
“I don't.”
He looked confused.
“I choose.”
“What?”
“You.”
His face changed.
“You mean it?”
“Yes.”
I kissed him.
Not because the danger was gone.
Not because the past was clean.
Because we had finally stopped allowing the past to make our choices.
He held me carefully.
As though I were something precious.
Then he whispered:
“I love you.”
I smiled.
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“Better.”
He laughed.
Then a familiar voice came from behind us.
“About time.”
Adrian.
Elise.
My parents.
Our entire family stood nearby.
My mother wiped her eyes.
My father smiled.
Adrian clapped.
Noah looked embarrassed.
“I hate all of you.”
Everyone laughed.
That night, my father gave Noah one final box.
Inside was the first suit Noah had ever ordered from the shop.
The one I had fitted on the day we met.
My father had kept it.
“Why?”
“For your wedding.”
Noah looked at me.
I laughed.
“We aren't engaged.”
May you like
My father smiled.
“Not yet.”
