Meet Me Where the Oak Tree Grows novel Chapter 62

They say he didn’t say a word in the video, not a single tear fell from his eyes.

“Look, I got you your favorite sunflowers. This year, no birthday celebrations. The time's already passed, and wishes don’t work anymore.” I paused. “And I won’t be celebrating your birthday in the years to come either. I’m sorry for dragging you down. If only I didn’t have that father. I’d rather be an orphan. You were so silly. You took ten bucks as protection money and actually looked out for me for ten whole years.”

I rambled on, not sure if he was tired of listening, when there was a knock on the door.

I opened it to see a tall, slender man in a trench coat. His brow furrowed with concern as he looked at me for a long time, his gaze settling on my hair, a layer of tears clouding his eyes.

I opened my mouth to speak. “Cassidy, what brings you here?”

He had no intention of leaving, so I stepped aside and let him in.

He sat across from me on the couch. “I noticed something seemed off and wanted to check in on you. You knew him, right?”

I lifted my hand to show the ring. “He was my husband.”

He was silent for a moment, then spoke in a gentle, consoling voice: “I’m sorry for your loss.”

I forced a faint smile, though my heart was bleeding inside.

We sat in silence for a while.

Then he broke it, “What I’m trying to say is, there’s still so much beauty to see. When I was twelve, my dad died, my mom got diagnosed with cancer, and my little brother was just seven. I was like you back then. But I held on, and miraculously, my mom recovered, and my brother grew up well. After that hurdle, everything got better. I started exploring, finding joy even in wildflowers.”

I calmly stated, “But you still have your mom and brother. I’ve got nothing.”

He stared at me sincerely, “If you need, I’d be happy to stay by your side.”