Chapter 123
Chapter 123
Charlotte noticed the sides of the road were washed out by the rain, with puddles and muddy potholes here and there
Seaside City had just had its rainy season, and the roads here were really hard to travel.
Charlotte didn’t say anything more, just stared out the window.
She imagined her daughter having spent all these years in such a remote little village, and her heart ached at the thought
After another twenty minutes of bumpy driving, they finally saw a stone slab up ahead with ‘Upade Town‘ carved into it
The car slowly rolled into Upade Town.
The town was even quieter than Charlotte had imagined. On both sides of the stone–paved road stood old houses with whi walls and dark tile roofs.
Every now and then, a few elderly residents sat at their doorsteps, basking in the sun and watching the unfamiliar cars with curious eyes.
Natalie slowed the car and finally pulled up in front of an old ancestral home.
It was a classic south region courtyard, with whitewashed walls, dark tiled roof, and a wooden door left half–open.
The stone steps at the entrance had been polished smooth by time, and two osmanthus trees flanked the doorway their branches thick and leaves lush.
Natalie got out of the car, stood before the old courtyard house, and pulled a key from her pocket, slipping it into the X
She pushed open the wooden door with a creak, and the courtyard unfolded before her eyes.
The stone path was lined with flowers and plants, growing wild and strong despite years of neglect
There was an old well in the yard, and the stones beside it were thick with moss.
The door to the main hall, directly opposite the entrance, was left ajar, its paint chipped and weathered
Natalie entered first, with Charlotte and William following close behind.
Ryan followed behind and whispered, “Natalie, so this is where you grew up huh
Natalie nodded and headed for the main hall
As Natale pushed open the main hall door, a musty scent of old mentaries greciest the alk
Inside the furnishings were sparse an antique square table a few wore chur arst & Tacks of prior
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8:12 am
Chapter 123
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Each photo captured Natalie’s journey from childhood to adolescence.
As Charlotte looked through each photo, her eyes welled up more and more.
There were no fancy backgrounds or stylish clothes, just the most genuine moments of real, everyday lite
Charlotte feeding chickens in the yard, reading under the fragrant osmanthus tree, washing vegetables by the old well
Every single photo was taken by her grandma herself.
And each one held her grandma’s love for Natalie.
William stood beside Charlotte and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
‘Honey, don’t cry. Look at Nat. She was so cute when she was little,” he said softly.
Charlotte sniffled and forced a smile.
Yeah, she’s always been cute,” she said, her voice trembling a little.
Ethan pushed up his glasses.

3lake didn’t say a word, just quietly stared at the photos.
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