A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1281

Eleanor clutched the medical report as she stepped out of the hospital, feeling lost among the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Her mind was numb, filled only with images of Bernard, holding her, kissing her, telling her he loved her.

She found herself sinking to the steps outside the hospital, her back against the cold brick wall. Would Bernard's face light up with joy if he heard the news of her pregnancy? Or would he hoist her up in the air as any jubilant father-to-be would?

She couldn't imagine his reaction. All she knew was that she missed him terribly. The pain of longing was anything but sweet. It was a dull ache that penetrated deep into her bones, a pain that only the loss of a loved one could bring.

As she watched the people passing by on the busy city street, she wished that Bernard would appear, his handsome figure walking towards her in the twilight. But no matter how long she gazed into the distance, the familiar silhouette from her memories never showed.

Just when she was about to give in to despair, a little girl, only about five years old, skipped over to her, tugging at her sleeve.

"Mister wants me to give this to you," the little girl said, holding out a small box.

Eleanor looked at the girl, then down at the box. Scott, who had been watching from a distance, immediately took a step forward, but Eleanor gestured for him to stay back. She accepted the box from the girl and opened it to find a golden leaf.

"Who gave this to you?" Eleanor asked the girl.

The girl just shook her head, licking her lollipop. "I don't know him."

Eleanor frowned. "Where is this man?"

"He gave me some candy and left," the girl said, pointing towards the hospital corridor.

Eleanor followed the girl's pointing finger but saw no one suspicious. She looked back at the golden leaf in her hand, turning it over to reveal an engraved letter 'A'.

What did 'A' mean?

Before she could ask the girl for more information, the girl had already skipped away. Eleanor looked back at the golden leaf, noticing a piece of paper underneath it in the box.

All it said was one word: "Pier."