hupter 27
“Anna”
Jonathan woke up in a panic, will calling out Anna’s name
His grandfather sat by the bed, his face dark and stem
“Jonathan, hom now on focus on your work, take care of your health, and stop looking for Aronal
Jonathan coughed viality, his voice hoarse as he asked, ““Why?“”
“She’s my wit! I signed the dice papers, so we’re still married. If I’m persistent enough, if I’m sincere, she forgive me eventually!”
“She’s st–hearted to her enough, she’ll come back to me.”
“Enough!” his grandfather Interpted sharply
He pulled out acceding of his commrsation with Anna and played it in Jonathan’s nar
Ana’s clear filled the room, shattering every ounce of Jonathan’s confidence
Even after the recording ended, the remained dead silent
For a long time, Jonathan med to himself, “No, impossible impossible. This is takel need to find Anna have to see her
need to tell her that she’s the only one for me, that I’ve only loved her
Ignoring everything, Jonatham potu of bed, raping the TV needle from his arm. He dragged his fralbody toward the door
His grandfather didn’t try in stop him, incing full well that fonathan wouldn’t make it far Sue mough, after a few steps, Jonathan colpend in the floo The wounds on his back, which had just started to heal tore open again, blooming with fresh blood.
Gritting his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, Jonathan forced himself and staggered fansard
But, he only managed a sew steps before tanging
His grandather shook his head. “To there, carry him back to bed and keep close watch on him. Make sets and recover. He’s not allowed in
After giving the order. his grandfather poored a few pils into his mouth
His health wasn’t great either, having retired to focus on recovery. He had expected to still be dealing with such troubles at his age:
He lay down in the nest room, letting the doctors and nurses attendishim
Three days keen, Jonathan’s health improved, and he tried to escape again.
But he didn’t get far before his grandfather’s men caught him and brought him back
“Jonathan, let it go,” his grandfather said, dressed in hospital attire, his face even poler than bedoe
Jonathan stood silently, reed to the spot, no longer trying to flee
jonathan,” his grandfather contiued, “I don’t have much time left. I don’t know how much longer I can stay with you consider this my nalwish–don’t look for Anna
Het her go, and let yoursel
Hearing this, Jonathan knwed his g, his emotions unreadable
After a long prose, he finally forced out an answer: “Alright won Tak dat er amicor
With that promise, his grandfather seemed to release a heavy burden and shun ped down.
Jonathan stayed by his grandfather’s bedside, promising, “Grander, lake care of the family from now on leve
Aher spending his grandfather’s final days with him, jonathan became oven colder.
When Anna was still in his life, he had moments of lightness and even occasional miles
Now, he exuded constanchill
Jonathan turned into a machine, throwing himself into work. Everpt for hospital checkups, he practically lived at the office
Under his leadership, the company flourished
The love story that once made countless people emtious faded into obscurity.
Only Jonathan still wore his wedding ring. When eat someone asked, he would smile warmly
need to finish work and pet back early”
Wt, he rarely returned to that cold, emptyhome.
Without Anna,home was nadlerent from anywhere else
‘I’m mamed.We’re very much in love. She’s waiting forme at home, sat
Those who knit the truth thought he was crazy, those who didn’t assumed he was the epkame of adrested husband;
Many woman tied to approach him, but he rejected them all
To since the cemers, he adopted a talented boy and raised him with care,
Ternity years later, the boy had grown into a capable man, ready to take over the company
Jonathan handed everything over and left or France alone.
When he arrived utsade Amma’s amn, berthought.
Gondfather, I’ve honeeed your wish. Haven’t seen her for twenty years.
Now, I want to fill last wish
Hearing the machine of wind be, he noticed the indoor was open. A small chalkboard nearby mad
Jonathan knocked gentle the door
“Is there a roem pulak? beasted
Among mixed–race girl inside called out, “Man, someone’s here to check
As Annastepped out, Jonathan panicked and fled.
He no longer had the comage to lace her..
Sheba new mily, a new He–one that no longer ceded him
Jerurban bought a small shop new the inn and tumed it into a post allier, writing letter to his past sel
Even knowing no one would receive them, he occasionally had customers who came in to teles
In one letter to his younger self, he simply wrote:
Be better to Arma”
Though the shops were only two streets apart, they never crossed paths
Even after Jonathan leamed that the young girl was Arma’s adapted daughter, he never approached on.
He only watched from adar, caching glimpses of Anna and hearing about her lide through others
