When they finished the procedure at the Department of Civil Affairs and exited, Shayne glanced at the nearby greenery. There was a quiet open park.
“I still have something to tell you. There’s a park there. Let’s walk and talk at the same time.”
“Sure.”
At the park in early spring, some of the trees and flowers were not fully green yet. Half of them still looked like worn-out autumn fallen leaves, half were freshly sprouted green shoots.
Yanny and Shayne walked alongside each other in the park on the cobblestone path.
The sun was shining brightly on that day, sunlight pouring in through the gaps in the shade of the French sycamore. It was full of the gentleness of early spring.
Shayne said, “The main people who framed you two years ago have been found. It was Cara and Maria.”
Yanny was not surprised that it was Cara. However, she was surprised that Maria, who was so proud of herself, would do such a thing.
Shayne looked at Yanny with a little confusion and said, “Are you confused as to why Maria would join in such a thing? I was equally surprised as well. She truly would do anything for Steven Haynes.”
Steven Haynes.
Yanny has never heard this name before but could roughly guess that he should be Maria’s current husband.
“Actually, for the past two days, I’ve been doing some thinking. I can somehow understand why Maria would do what she did. I thought that if it was you, I would be willing to do the same.”
Yanny avoided his deep, burning gaze and said, “Things have already gotten to this point. Since the truth is now out in the open, we can consider it closure on the past.”
“Yes, these things are in the past now. Cara has vanished from North City. From today onward, she will not have the chance to find trouble with you. As for Maria…”
Yanny said, “No matter what, Maria is your mother. You do whatever you want to do with her. I won’t interfere.”
“Okay.”
As for Cara, although Shayne lightly touched on her and brushed it over, Yanny could roughly guess that she must have ended up in a tragically inhumane way.
Shayne looked at the quiet pathway coming to an end. They were soon at the end. He asked, “What do you plan to do next?”
“I’ve not thought about it, but I’ve handed the company over to a professional manager. I should be taking a rest for some time.”
“That’s good too. Your body… You should pay more attention to rest.”
Yanny slightly trembled. She looked at the road in front of her and said, “I’ll continue on my own for the remaining road. Shayne, let’s stop right here.”
Shayne obediently stopped in his tracks. He stood there and looked at her as he asked, “I know I should not see you again. But, can I really not see you again in the future?”
Yanny choked. She smiled at Shayne and replied, “Let’s forget about it. Doing unfruitful things will only hurt yourself and others. Shayne, you…”
She wanted to say it simply, take care of yourself.
Yet, when the words were by her mouth, she could not help but change and say, “You should smoke less. It’s bad for your health.”
Two years later after the incident, Yanny could smell the cigarette smoke on him every single time she met up with him.
Two years before, he had stopped smoking and changed his habit because of her. However, he had started back again.
Shayne stood under the shade of the French sycamore. The light and shadow fell on him. He smiled warmly and dotingly at her in that dazzling light and shadow and said, “I’ll quit smoking, just like how I’ll quit you.”
Yanny lowered her gaze slightly. She smiled and said peacefully, “That’s good then.”
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