A melancholic song filled the silence: ” I heard you married on a lonely night. No smile upon your face in sight. I never dared to ask or see. What if the blame belongs to me? Back then, I was too young, too wild. Careless words, a reckless child. I hurt you deeply. I made you bleed. Some wounds cut far beyond what we need. A heart so kind – how does it live on through? What can a lifetime ever do? So let me say I’m sorry now. With guilt I carry, I don’t know how. One careless touch, one foolish play. Can ruin someone’s whole lifetime away…” Each lyric pierced her heart, the pain swelling like a relentless tide, threatening to drown her. She covered her face, tears streaming through her fingers. ” Why play this song? Can’t we stop torturing each other? “
Vance’s phone rang, cutting off the music. The caller ID flashed: Cathy Babe. Rebecca’s tears halted as she registered the name. He disconnected the Bluetooth and pulled over to answer. She couldn’t make out Catherine’s words, but his expression grew increasingly grave. ” I’ll be right there, ” he said, hanging up and turning to her. ” I’ll take you home first. Cathy’s sick ; I need to check on her. ” Accustomed to this kind of thing, she flung open the car door. ” Don’t bother. I’ll manage myself.”
“Rebecca…” he called after her, but his voice was cut off by the slammed door. He didn’t pursue, instead reversing the car and speeding away without a moment’s hesitation. Watching the taillights fade, Rebecca felt a profound numbness envelop her, as if razor – sharp claws had ravaged her heart, leaving it mangled and devoid of sensation. She was about to hail a cab when her phone rang. It was a delivery service. ” Hi, two boxes of fruit arrived. You home? ” Fruit? She hadn’t ordered any. ” Where’s it from?”
“Local – grapes. The sender’s last name is Perry.
“She figured it must be from her grandma, Josette Perry. Josette lived alone in the countryside, tending grapes in her yard, and sent her thoughtful shipments. Rebecca stood on the dimming street, the sky graying overhead. A sudden, overwhelming longing washed over her. ” Someone’s home – deliver it there,” she instructed. ” Tell them to refrigerate it.” She couldn’t wait another moment. Hailing a cab, she headed straight to Josette’s place. If anyone in the world truly loved her unconditionally, it was Josette.
A retired teacher, Josette had returned to her rural hometown, cherishing her old house amid blooming flowers and homegrown produce. Rebecca yearned to repay and care for her, but despite repeated invitations to live in the city or even offers to buy her a separate home, Josette always declined, citing her attachment to her garden. Rebecca knew it was a gentle excuse. Josette simply refused to impose it. Even her shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables came via courier, never in person. Yet what Rebecca craved most was that very imposition. As a child, her passion for dance had been opposed by her parents to save money. Josette had stepped in, funding her lessons and later covering her high school expenses too. From high school onward, Rebecca boarded at school. Her parents contributed nothing, viewing a girl’s education as wasteful. She’d marry into another family anyway. Her beauty and dance skills had Adeline plotting early. Adeline wanted her to date someone rich at 18 and planned to marry her off to benefit Emmett.
When Rebecca aced the university entrance exam, her parents pushed for a local tuition – free teaching program. Following their plan, she would work as a dance teacher upon graduation, earn extra income for the family, and stay homebound. Soren had bluntly declared, ” No funds for distant college. Free program or drop out. ” Rebecca held no grudge against teaching, but she’d topped the nation’s premier dance academy exam. Once again, Josette stepped in, backing her to chase her dreams.
After the accident, her parents lamented only her diminished marriage prospects, scheming for Vance’s payout.
It was Josette who had nursed Rebecca tirelessly in the hospital. Memories cascaded through her mind, including Vance’s marriage proposal. Her parents had rejoiced that a disabled daughter could land a golden ticket. They had obsessed over his fortune and thought nothing of her. Only Josette had clasped Rebecca’s hand, whispering, ” No matter what, always love yourself most. ” She had foreseen the mismatch but couldn’t halt it. Gazing out the cab window, Rebecca’s eyes stung. ” I’m sorry, Grandma. I didn’t love myself well. ” By arrival, night had fallen.
Josette’s house glowed with warm lights, a beacon soothing Rebecca’s weary heart. Tears welled unbidden. She got out of the cab, crossed the yard, and knocked. ” Who is it? ” Josette asked, approaching the door. Upon seeing Rebecca, her eyes sparkled with joy. ” Becky? What brings you here? ” Rebecca’s eyes burned anew. Fearing tears might alarm Josette, Rebecca enveloped her in a hug, whining playfully, ” Grandma, I saw the grapes you sent, and I missed you so much.”
“You silly girl. ” Josette beamed, glancing behind her and noting Vance’s absence. ” You came alone?
“
“Yeah! Vance is busy, so I came by myself, ” Rebecca lied, linking arms as they entered. ” Grandma, I’m starving. Got anything to eat?”
“What would you like? ” Josette chuckled. ” Your pasta with meat sauce, ” she replied. In her twenty – something years, only with Josette could she speak so freely. ” Coming right up. ” Josette bustled to the kitchen happily. Rebecca spotted some photos on the TV cabinet – four in total. One was a portrait of her grandparents, her parents, and her brother. Another captured her childhood dance award. A third honored her late aunt.
The last one featured her, Vance, and Josette. This photo dated back four years. The town head had called about Josette’s fall, and she had rushed over with cash. Vance had accompanied her, helping transport Josette to the hospital. That experience had solidified her resolve to make the marriage work, despite Vance’s detachment. Later, she learned the town head had first contacted Soren, who dismissed it at a poker game, suggesting a local clinic.
Vance could have delegated or wired funds, but he personally joined her in the countryside, even carrying Josette. Post – discharge, Rebecca snapped this selfie, sending it to Josette, who framed it lovingly. ” All done. Come eat your pasta! ” Josette beamed, setting down the food. ” Still craving the same as when you were little. ” Rebecca inhaled the savory aroma and devoured it ravenously. She was famished, having barely eaten at her parents ‘ . In moments, the plate was empty. Only then did Josette ask gently, ” Had a fight with him?”
Rebecca smiled wryly. From someone who truly cared, nothing stayed hidden. ” Grandma. ” Rebecca linked arms with Josette, leaning on her shoulder. ” I want to go back to school. What do you think? ” Josette was her only confidante now. ” That’s wonderful! I’ve saved some money, so don’t worry, ” Josette exclaimed. Rebecca’s eyes misted as she hugged Josette’s waist. ” I have money now, Grandma. ” Only Josette offered such unwavering support. ” Your money’s yours, and I’ve saved some for you, ” Josette said, stroking her hair tenderly. ” Grandma…” Rebecca basked in the affection, though worry gnawed at her. ” But if I go, it could be years. What if I miss you terribly?”
“Silly girl, video call whenever you miss me, ” Josette reassured her. ” I’m young at heart – staying right here. I’ll wait for you to finish and return. If you settle abroad, I’ll join you, as long as I’m not a burden.”
“Never,” Rebecca said quickly. ” I’ll take you everywhere. We’ll travel the world together.”
“Sounds perfect. ” Josette held her close, patting her back like in childhood.
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