He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 221

he day Liam was discharged from the hospital, he sent Seraphina a message: [Sera, let’s meet. Just one last time, and after that, I promise I’ll never bother you gain.]

eraphina stared at the message for a long time before finally replying with a single word: [Okay.]

the coffee shop, soft jazz music flowed through the air.

iam was wearing a simple white shirt, looking less of his usual refined self and more haggard.

When he saw Seraphina walk in, a faint light flickered in his eyes before quickly dying out.

sit.” His voice was hoarse.

eraphina sat down opposite him, her posture calm. “If you have something to say, say it.”

iam took a deep breath, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of his coffee cup. His gaze drifted out the window as if recalling a distant past. “Sera, do Ju remember the first time I took you out for coffee? It was in a place just like this. It was your birthday, and I used the money I’d been secretly saving to buy ou that paintbrush you’d been wanting. You were so happy then.”

eraphina looked at him calmly. “I remember.”

And another time,” Liam’s voice softened with nostalgia, “you were painting late into the night and fell asleep at your easel, your face smudged with paint. I uietly covered you with a blanket and watched your furrowed brow relax in your sleep. I felt so happy. Whether you were focused on your painting or asleep, Du shone brighter than the stars outside.”

Back then, I thought I could give you the best of everything, but in the end, I forgot what you truly wanted.” Liam turned his head, his gaze earnest. “I know I as wrong, Sera. I shouldn’t have hurt you because of Melody. I am so sorry.”

That time is in the past. We… can’t go back. People have to look forward, don’t they?”

e paused, his tone incredibly solemn. “I know… That’s why I asked you here today, just to officially say goodbye. I will leave this place and never appear before >u again. I wish you… a bright future, and that you find the happiness that truly belongs to you.”

ith that, he stood up and gave Seraphina one last, deep look. “Sera, take good care of yourself.”

eraphina’s fingertips paused. Her long lashes cast a small shadow beneath her eyes. After a moment, she let out a soft “Mm.”

he watched his back as he turned and walked away, not lowering her eyes until his figure disappeared around the corner.

felt as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart. The tangled love and hate of the past had finally come to an end.

tepping out of the coffee shop, the sun was shining brightly.

eraphins took out her phone and sent a message to Ellis: (Fis, I think I’ll take this afternoon off to clear my head

llis replied quickly. (Okay, Do you need me to come with you?]

No, I want to take a walk by myself

Alright then. I’ll bring you a dessert from that place you like tonight, for when you’re done clearing your head

Seraphina smiled and replied with an (Okay

she spent the afternoon peeling away all the joys and sorrows connected to Liam from her heart, packing them away in a corner of bay nenusty belongings.

As evening fell, Seraphine walked towards her apartment building and saw Ellis from a distance, leaning against her apartment flour with a cigare

Chapter 22

is fingers. When he saw her approaching, he stubbed it out on the nearby trash can.

All cleared up?” Ellis asked with a smile.

eraphina nodded, her face more relaxed than it had ever been. “Yeah, it’s all in the past now.”

Good.” Ellis raised his hand and presented her with an exquisitely packaged mango mousse. “Want to try it? I had the shop add extra mango.”

eraphina took the mousse, a soft smile blooming in her eyes. “Ellis, thank you.”

3eing polite with me again.” Ellis ruffled her hair. “Go on up. From now on, just focus on your designs. I’ll take care of the rest.”

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