Chapter 152 The Answer Awaits Here

Chapter 152 The Answer Awaits Here

Stephanie's POV

I looked at Malcolm through tear-blurred eyes. "What… what do you mean by that?"

He didn't answer directly.

Instead, he reached into the front pocket of his apron, fumbled around for a moment, then pulled out a card and held it out to me.

The card had an address for a farm on the outskirts of town—about half an hour's drive from the city.

"Go to this place. You might find the answers you've been looking for."

I wasn't sure why Malcolm was speaking in riddles, leaving so much unsaid. But I could feel it—what he was telling me wasn't just idle talk.

I carefully tucked the card into my pocket, straightened up, and bowed deeply to him.

Malcolm waved his hand with a smile, signaling that I didn't need to be so formal.

We finished the rest of our fish and chips, sat quietly for a little while longer, then got up to leave.

I hung back. While Malcolm turned to clean the counter, I slipped a bill from my pocket and tucked it under the plate.

Outside, we retraced our steps through the narrow alley back to where we'd parked.

The moment I got in the car, I heard hurried footsteps behind us.

"Stephanie! Wait!"

I turned around to see Malcolm standing at the mouth of the alley, clutching the bill and waving it in the air. "I said this one's on me! No sneaking money to me!"

I rolled down the window, leaned halfway out, and waved back with a grin. "Then you can treat me next time I come!"

"Next time I'll make you a double portion!" He held up the bill, laughing so openly it echoed down the alley.

Christopher pressed the gas, and the car slowly pulled away.

Through the rearview mirror, I watched Malcolm's figure grow smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely into the narrow lane.

I turned my gaze away and pulled the card from my pocket, running my thumb lightly over the ballpoint pen writing.

Following the address on the card, the car moved through the city streets, onto narrower and narrower country roads, until finally we stopped in front of a rusty iron gate.

I pushed open the car door and stepped out. Before me stretched an open farm—several small white buildings scattered across a lawn, and in the distance, the canopy of a few old oak trees swaying gently in the breeze.

I pushed open the gate and walked in. Beneath my feet was a well-trodden dirt path, lined on both sides with all kinds of flowers and plants I couldn't name.

Near the closest building, an elderly woman with graying hair sat in a wicker chair, trimming celery.

Hearing footsteps, she slowly lifted her head.

One look, and I recognized her immediately.

"You're…" I hurried forward. "You're Elisa, aren't you? From the orphanage kitchen?"

Elisa squinted at me for a long moment, then let out a soft gasp. She set the celery in the basin beside her and slowly pushed herself up, bracing against her knees.

She walked quickly over to me, grabbed my hand, and looked me up and down several times. The smile in her eyes deepened.

"Stephanie!" She recognized me too. "Look how much you've grown! Time really does fly. You're so beautiful—just like your mother when she was young."

My eyes burned instantly.

I gripped her hand tightly, my voice hoarse. "You… you still remember me…"

"How could I forget?" She patted the back of my hand gently. "You were always running to the orphanage when you were little. Every time you came, you and Yasmin would squeeze into a corner of the cafeteria to do homework. I'd serve you both, and you'd always ask me for an extra scoop of mashed potatoes. You loved my mashed potatoes."

Her words sank in, and a quiet ache spread through my chest. I lowered my head and sniffled hard.

"Have you been doing okay all these years?"

"Good. Everything's been good." She took my hand and led me inside, chatting warmly the whole way.

"After the orphanage closed, my husband and I took over this farm. It's not a fortune, but it's steady and peaceful. Later on, a few kids from the orphanage who didn't have anywhere to go—I took them in for a while. Now they're all grown up. Some moved to other cities for work, and a few even got into charity work, helping more orphans."

I listened quietly, my mind wandering. If Yasmin were still alive, she would've been one of those kids.

She was so smart, so kind—she would've gone further than anyone, lived better than anyone.

Christopher saw through my sinking mood. He stepped forward quietly and took my hand, offering silent comfort.

Elisa gestured for us to sit in the wooden chairs out front, then disappeared inside. She returned with a few glasses of iced tea, set them on the low table, and sat down across from me.

Her gaze rested on my face for a moment. Then she let out a soft sigh.

"Stephanie… you still haven't let go of Yasmin, have you?"

I stared down at the fine tea leaves floating in my cup and nodded gently.

The ache surged again. I clenched my jaw to hold the tears back.

Elisa reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, her touch gentle and motherly.

"If Yasmin were still here and saw you grieving for her year after year, she'd probably start crying again herself."

I looked up at her through blurred eyes.

Elisa smiled faintly. "She always seemed so strong and calm, but that girl cried all the time. And when she did, her mouth would scrunch up so big—it was funny and pitiful all at once. One time she tripped and scraped her knee really badly. She cried so loud the whole cafeteria turned to look. I patched her up with a bandaid, and just like that, she stopped crying. Tears still on her face, she reached out and asked me for a second serving of mashed potatoes."

Listening to her warm memories, an image of Yasmin surfaced in my mind. I couldn't help but smile a little.

Seeing me smile, Elisa smiled too.

She stood and patted my shoulder lightly. "You two rest here for a bit. I'll go get you something."

She turned and went inside. It was a while before she came back out.

In her hands was an old, worn notebook. She walked over and placed it firmly in my hands.

"Open it."

I lowered my gaze and slowly turned to the first page.

I froze completely.