Halsey stood frozen for a moment, then slowly turned and walked away. She and the masked man drifted apart, heading in opposite directions until they disappeared from each other’s sight.
Back at home, Madeline came running out. “Halsey, you’re back!”
Slightly surprised, Halsey smiled and pulled Madeline into a warm hug. “What are you doing home today?” Madeline beamed. “We got a day off from the team, so I came back.”
“That’s great. I’ll have Isabel make some of your favorite dishes–you’re still growing, after all.”
“I saw you through the window, walking with your head down. You seemed bothered. Didn’t you go out with Wendy today? Did something happen?”
Three years had passed since they had last seen each other. Madeline had grown from a middle school girl into a graceful eighteen–year–old. As a brilliant young researcher, she could tell something was wrong with Halsey’s mood./1
Halsey forced a small smile. “I saw Dwight today…‘
Madeline’s eyes widened in shock. “Really, Halsey? Where is he? He’s been gone for three whole years–I haven’t seen him at all!”
“Actually, I didn’t actually see him. I only saw someone who looked a lot like him. I got the wrong person.‘
11
The light in Madeline’s eyes faded quickly. After their mother passed away, Dwight was the only family she had left; but he suddenly vanished, and no one could find him.
“Where do you think Dwight went? Why hasn’t he come back to us in all these years?” Tears welled up and spilled down Madeline’s cheeks.
Halsey wrapped her arms around Madeline. “I don’t know where he is, or why he never came back to find us.”
Dwight had disappeared from the world, never to return.
Did he know there were people out there who missed him desperately?
Outside the villa, a tall figure wearing a black mask stood quietly. He was the same man who had saved Halsey twice today–Dwight.
Dwight didn’t reveal himself to Halsey. His face had changed beyond recognition, and she couldn’t even identify him.
Three years ago, he had fallen off a cliff with his car and was rescued by villagers nearby. He had suffered severe injuries and spent a long time recovering. Though he survived, his face was permanently disfigured..
Over the years, he often heard news about Madeline–how she won state–level awards, went abroad to win prizes, got into Stanfern University in the Capital, and was now working on rocket research. She was doing even better than he ever did.
Of course, that was because Madeline was luckier. She had Halsey by her side.
For three years, Halsey had raised his sister, doing what he as an older brother, should have done.
Dwight stood silently outside the villa. Inside, the lights shone bright and warm. There, within those walls, were
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Chapter 654
the two most important women in his life–the warmth he had dreamed of his whole life.
But that warmth was now too far out of reach.
He was no longer Dwight.
+25 BONUS
Sometimes, when he looked in the mirror and saw his disfigured face, he couldn’t even remember what he had once looked like.
Today, when Halsey pulled off his mask, the fear and shock in her eyes were abundantly clear. He was no longer the man she had loved.
So be it.
Dwight decided not to reveal himself so they could say goodbye to the past and find their happiness without him.
