Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Sylvia's eyes suddenly welled with tears, resembling blood drops at the corners, as her long lashes trembled slightly. She gently shook her head. "No, he never promised me anything. He hasn't wronged me." She understood him completely. How could she ever blame him?

She would never harbor any resentment toward him or blame him. Her respect for him would remain unwavering.

Estelle handed her a cup of warm water, saying, "He left in such a hurry, but he was really worried about you."

Cradling the cup, Sylvia looked down. "I know he couldn't stay, but I could have gone with him."

Estelle replied, "Once he got you out of that place, he'd never let you go back."

Sylvia nodded softly. "Yes, I was being foolish."

Estelle's voice was gentle. "I understand how you feel. Leaving the organization felt like being abandoned, directionless. My whole life seemed to have lost its course."

Taking a deep breath, Sylvia looked at Estelle. "So, how did you manage to move on?"

Estelle's gaze was clear and sharp. "You don't have to force yourself to move on because, in the end, we still have to live!"

Tears suddenly spilled from Sylvia's eyes. She turned away, quickly wiping them off, and when she faced Estelle again, her composure was restored. "You're right. If we can't die, we must go on living!" Estelle added, "He sent us away because he wanted us to live."

Sylvia looked at her, stunned, then slowly nodded. "Yes, he saved me, raised me, gave me a chance to start over. Why wouldn't I want to live? I should live even better to honor him."

Her thoughts became clearer. "Besides, there are many who rely on me!"

Events like today's would happen again, and she had to protect everyone in her company, just as he once protected her.

Estelle smiled softly. "Feeling better?"

"Yes!" Sylvia nodded. "Thank you so much!"

Estelle said, "Even without him, we can still be friends. And, Grandpa told me to tell you he really likes you and wants you to visit again when you're free."

Sylvia couldn't help but choke up again, her voice hoarse. "I will!"

*

After saying goodbye to Estelle, Sylvia took a cab back to her apartment.

Turning on the light and looking out at the city lights, she felt much calmer.

In the kitchen, she made herself some pasta and fried some dumplings, eating alone in the quiet of the night.

After eating, the pain in her stomach eased, and she took a good, long shower.

Clean and refreshed, she began to tidy up her apartment.

On the sofa lay items she brought back from C City: a peace pendant he gave her, a tourmaline bracelet,

from Old Mr. Jarvis, a little cat doe she wen in a paper-cutting contest, and two books they looked at together in a bookstore one afternoon.

The dedication he wrote for her was still on the book's flyleaf.

Her hand lingered on the books, but she didn't open them. Instead, she placed these items, including a cartoon keychain, one by one into the bottom drawer of her desk.

Along with her feelings, they were to be sealed away.

Leaving the past behind, starting anew, just as Estelle said, life must go on.

Each in their own place, wishing well for the other, that was enough! From tomorrow on, she would still be Sylvia.

B City

Early in the morning, Sophia Jones and Jason returned from their run finding Jasmine Jones and the housekeeper busy preparingo breakfast.

Drenched in sweat, Sophia grabbed a fried pastry and bit into it, "This tastes amazing!"

Jasmine looked at her with disdain. "Go take a shower first; you're all sweaty!"

Sophia retorted, "Jason doesn't mind, but you, my own mother, do!"