Chapter 286: Same
The man blinked again, more rapidly this time, his eyes beginning to glisten. Her words stirred something deep inside him. Did she really remember? Was there a trace of recognition behind those eyes?
He took a small, hopeful step forward, instinct urging him to close the distance—to hold her, to embrace the daughter he’d lost so long ago. But before he could reach her, she offered a faint smile and turned toward Marianne.
"Both of you make a beautiful couple, Miss Thomas," she said lightly, as she nodded at him again and then walked away, without another look..
The man stood still, watching her go, his chest tightening with a longing he couldn’t name. He had to physically stop himself from calling her back, holding her, hugging her and crying about how he had finally found his little star back.
Slowly, he turned to face his wife, confusion shadowing his features. "What did she mean by the words that I still look the same?" he asked uncertainly.
Marianne sighed softly and stepped in, wrapping her arms around him in a quiet hug. "I know you thought she recognised you," she said gently, her voice warm but careful. "But just now... what she meant was that you look the same as the pictures I’d placed in the library."
The man gave a slow, perfunctory nod and leaned into her embrace, the hope draining from his eyes. He sighed, a low and tired sound. "Does she really remember nothing at all?"
Marianne looked up and shook her head as sse thought to the picture at which Melanie had paused for a moment but then sighed,"I don’t think so. For a moment there, it did look like she might have recognised a picture but then she got distracted and did not even give it a second look. I guess we will have to talk to her directly."
Melanie stood still near the elevator and as soon as the door opened, she almost jumped into the thing and took in a deep breath. But as soon as she was alone inside, the polished walls seemed to be closing in on her. Her breath hitched. A sudden wave of heat rose up her neck, and a fine sheen of sweat broke across her brow. Her fingers trembled as she pressed the button for the ground floor.