Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 403

Chapter 403

Darren’s parents had grown used to Vance’s visits.

The moment he stepped inside, they welcomed him warmly. The comforting aroma of dinner drifted from the kitchen.

On the way, he had stopped at the neighborhood supermarket and bought bags of fresh vegetables and fruit.

The couple thanked them profusely. “From now on, treat this place like your own home.”

His eyes stung with unshed tears. Starting today, he truly had no home left and had nowhere else to go. He had given away every property and left himself no backup plan.

They invited him to stay for dinner, and he didn’t refuse. He ate with them, helped wash the dishes, and then sat chatting with them until it grew dark.

His face gradually turned blank. The couple sensed something was wrong and asked what was bothering him.

The rims of his eyes reddened, and he told them the truth: he was homeless. The couple sighed but didn’t press for details. They simply told him to stay for the night.

Vance knew he was imposing and couldn’t live with them long-term, but tonight, he couldn’t bear the thought of being alone.

He felt selfish. He had come here to check on them, yet now, he was the one clinging to their warmth.

They made up the guest room for him. The study was right next door. 1

“If you want to read, help yourself,” they said. “Many of the books were Darren’s.”

“Thank you.” His voice was thick with emotion.

They told him to rest early and went to their room. He sat in the small study with no hope of sleep.

The room held two walls of bookshelves. One belonged to the couple, and the other was packed with Darren’s wide-ranging collection-from cosmology and geology to history, philosophy, and even culinary

art.

His old school textbooks from elementary through high school were lined up neatly. Vance’s gaze drifted over the high-school volumes-the ones he, Darren, and their old group had once shared.

One book caught his eye: a craft manual on origami. Intrigued, he pulled it out and saw a cover that suggested paper-folding techniques.

As he flipped it open, a paper crane slipped out and fluttered to the floor. He picked it up in surprise, and the memory clicked into place. The open page explained how to fold one.

Darren had written a note across the top in pen: [Some dummy kept folding paper cranes for Vance and

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Chapter 403

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wouldn’t let me help. How long would it take to fill a whole jar? Idiot! Anyway, I stole one from her pile. Daily mischief: complete.]

[Heh, she wrote something inside every crane. Wonder what this one says…]

Vance’s heart slammed against his ribs. He quickly unfolded the crane. Inside, in tiny handwriting, were the words: [No matter what happens, you have to be happy!]

His mind reeled. He read Darren’s note again, then bolted out of the study. The noise startled the couple, who came to the stairs asking what was wrong.

“I just remembered something urgent at the office. I have to head back,” he replied quickly and said goodbye.

He jumped into his car and sped toward the company.

Once inside the building, he took the elevator straight to the top floor, unlocked his office, and yanked open the desk drawer.

Inside was a small glass box holding a paper crane-the one he had kept as a memento after burying the rest with his grandmother.

The unfolded crane from Darren’s house now lay on the desk. The handwriting was unmistakably Rebecca’s. The one in the glass box was clearly made from the same paper, just a different color.

He took a deep breath and carefully took it out of the box. It was pale pink. With trembling fingers, he unfolded it and saw the same handwriting.

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