Chapter 52: Farewell
"Are you all packed?" William asked, his eyes following the maids and butlers as they carefully loaded suitcases and bags into the cars waiting outside the mansion gates.
Anna had spent the entire previous day sorting through the things she’d accumulated during her time living with Mrs. Garrel in Paris. As she packed, memories flooded her mind, each item tied to a moment, a conversation, a place. It was bittersweet.
The hours slipped away as she lingered in nostalgia, unable to shake the feeling that she was leaving behind more than just her belongings.
It felt strange. She had spent more than ten months living with Anaїs and her grandson, and while the time had passed in a blur, now that it was ending, the sadness crept in, unexpected and overwhelming.
They hadn’t exactly become family, but they had certainly become something more than strangers—friends, in their own way.
"Yes," Anna finally replied, forcing a smile to hide the lump that formed in her throat. She wiped at her eyes, willing away the bitter tears that threatened to fall. "Sorry, I tried to pack lightly," she added, her gaze narrowing suspiciously as another suitcase was carried past her.
"Yeah, that does look like a lot," William muttered, his brow furrowing in frustration.
"Careful, fellas, the suitcases alone cost a fortune!" A male voice called out, and both Anna and William turned to see who it belonged to.
"Gabriel?" Anna blinked in surprise, her eyebrows shooting up. "What are you doing here?"