Chapter 225: Gwen’s Resentment
It was almost January, and New York was not a city that saw much snow, even in December.
That had been the case every year before.
This year, however, was an exception. The snowfall had been unusually heavy.
Outside a high-end apartment building in Manhattan, a luxury car had quietly pulled up to the curb.
High above, in one of the apartments, a window slid open, and a little head poked out to peer down curiously.
She watched as the luxury car's door swung open and a familiar figure stepped out.
As if sensing her gaze, the figure looked up and waved with the hand holding a phone.
From that distance, Gwen couldn't make out the person's face clearly, but she was certain it was her best friend, Carrie.
From outside the room came her mother Helen's voice. "Sweetheart, it's very cold today. Remember to wear the clothes I prepared for you."
"Okay, Mom. Carrie's here, so I have to go."
"Do you want to eat something before leaving?"
"No, I'm already full."
Gwen wore a thick hooded down jacket, earmuffs over her ears, stylish warm pants, and a pair of slippers on her feet. As she ran, they made a rapid tap-tap-tap sound.
Carrie had already arrived, so Gwen naturally could not wait any longer. She immediately picked up her phone and prepared to leave. Just as she stepped out, she seemed to remember something and quickly returned to her room to close the window she had just opened.
Humming a little tune in a good mood, Gwen said goodbye to her mother, Helen. After changing into warm shoes, she left the apartment.
She took the elevator down to the first floor.
The snow on the ground outside had already been cleared clean. Gwen trotted all the way to the roadside and gave her good sister, who was dressed just as bundled-up as she was, a big, fierce hug.
Then she happily greeted the driver, Howard.
"Hi, good morning, Howard."
"Good morning, Miss Gwen."
Howard was very sensible. After replying to Gwen, he continued, "Please have fun, Miss Carrie. I'll be waiting at any time."
"Okay. Thank you, Howard."
Carrie's little face was slightly red from the cold. Although she possessed an ancient demon bloodline, it was only in a semi-activated state. She did have some superpowers, but physically, she was not much stronger than an ordinary person.
If she did not actively use her abilities, she would still freeze when it was cold.
But she did not mind at all. She happily waved her little hand at Howard, then pulled Gwen along and left cheerfully.
Today was the two girls' happy weekend.
The two best friends walked arm in arm, beginning their day of fun.
Their first stop was the skating rink at Rockefeller Center, with its twenty-three-meter-tall Norway spruce, fifty thousand lights, and Swarovski star, brilliant and beautiful.
Next came the Saks light show on Fifth Avenue.
Then there were Bryant Park Winter Village, the Rockettes' Christmas show, ballet performances, popular Broadway musicals, and so much more—almost too much to take in.
After the Manhattan incident, the federal government had begun postwar reconstruction in Manhattan.
With massive funding and manpower invested, the damaged Manhattan quickly returned to its original appearance.
With enough financial support, America could also display formidable infrastructure ability.
Of course, the Manhattan incident had been too influential. The attention focused on the area had risen sharply, which meant the "Commissioner Smiths" did not dare act recklessly.
Otherwise, with those Commissioner Smiths interfering, it would have been impossible for Manhattan to complete its reconstruction in such a short time.
The two girls had a wonderful time exploring Manhattan in winter.
A city like Manhattan had its own ways of keeping people entertained.
But happy moments never lasted long.
By evening, Gwen and Carrie had made their way to Central Park. They walked along the riverbank in the cold wind, holding steaming cups of latte as they drank and chatted.
"You're really leaving?" Gwen suddenly asked.
Her expression was full of reluctance.
She had only learned the news a few days ago. Carrie was leaving. As for where she was going, Carrie had not said—but it was important.
In truth, even if Carrie did not say it, Gwen had already vaguely guessed something.
It was just that the guess was too bold, so bold that even Gwen herself did not dare be sure.
"Mm. I have to leave, Gwen."
Carrie was also reluctant to part with this best friend who had always stayed by her side and helped her, but she had still made up her mind.
She truly had to leave.
Her time at Midtown High had been short. This place had healed the scars deep inside her heart, but now she had to go.
Because of the most important person in her life—Matthew.
Others might not know, but Carrie knew very clearly what had happened in Sokovia.
After all, Matthew did not hide many things from her.
His main approach was sincerity.
Carrie knew very well that the former Sokovia, now Terra, needed manpower. In her heart, she was Matthew's little sister.
Wherever Matthew went, she would go.
Matthew had created Terra, so she was Terran. She wanted to dedicate her strength to Terra.
She wanted to become stronger.
She wanted to train.
This was something she had thought about for several days.
"All right," Gwen said. Seeing Carrie's determined expression, her lips moved for a moment before she chose to give her blessing. "No matter what you're going to do, don't forget that there's a girl named Gwen Stacy waiting for you in New York."
Carrie nodded heavily.
Although she was leaving, it did not mean they would completely cut off contact. In modern society, phones were not exactly rare.
There was also the internet.
At worst, they could video call.
The two girls talked for a very long time.
When it was finally time to part, Gwen hugged Carrie for a long while, their eyes damp with tears.
But no matter how reluctant they were, goodbye still had to be said.
That night, Gwen could not sleep.
By the time she finally woke near noon, she was still groggy. She climbed out of bed, shuffled out of her room in her pajamas to wash up—and suddenly heard a familiar voice.
Gwen's sleepy eyes flew open.
Still in disbelief, she hurried down the stairs with a rapid thump-thump-thump, only to stop halfway.
There, in the living room below, Carrie was sitting on the sofa, chatting with her father, George.
"Carrie?"
Gwen could hardly believe what she was seeing, and her voice came out strained and a little sharp.
George and Carrie, who had been chatting happily, both stopped and looked up at her.
"Hey, Gwen. You're awake."
Carrie waved at Gwen, but no matter how one looked at that delicate little face, it was full of guilt.
"Are you kidding me?"
The words slipped straight out of Gwen's mouth.
Ten minutes later, Carrie and the Stacy family sat around the dining table eating lunch.
Carrie lowered her little head and pretended to eat seriously. In truth, she was avoiding the burning, resentful gaze Gwen was sending from beside her.
Seeing this, George and Helen could not help exchanging a smile.
But neither of them said anything. After lunch, George went to work, while Helen went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.
Without saying a word, Gwen grabbed Carrie and dragged her back to her room.