From Ashes of Scandal to His Embrace (Laurinda) novel Chapter 8

Laurinda stepped into the care center and was immediately greeted by the head nurse, who walked over with a warm, easy smile.

“Laurinda, I thought you usually came on Thursdays. What brings you here so early today? Fidelia’s been doing pretty well lately. She still spaces out sometimes, but honestly, she’s much better than she was before.”

“Thank you for taking such good care of her. What’s she up to right now? Is it alright if I go see her?”

“Of course. She’s been asking about you since last night. She remembered yesterday was your birthday and said she had a present for you.”

As they headed down the hallway together, the nurse chatted with Laurinda, then stopped quietly outside Fidelia’s room.

Laurinda peeked through the small window in the door. Fidelia was sitting by the window, quietly knitting, bathed in sunlight. Her skin looked so fair, her features delicate. The light made her look even softer, almost serene. Watching her, Laurinda was suddenly swept back to her childhood, remembering how safe she’d felt curled up in Fidelia’s arms, how sweet those days had been.

If it hadn’t been for that monster, none of this would have happened. The thought made Laurinda’s resolve even stronger. She wanted him to suffer for what he’d done.

“Laurinda…” The nurse’s voice broke through her dark thoughts, noticing the chill in her expression.

Laurinda blinked and quickly smoothed her face, turning to the nurse with a gentle smile.

“I’ll stay with her for a while. I’ll find Dr. Earl later, after we’ve talked.”

“Alright, I’ll go let him know you’re here.” With that, the nurse hurried off down the hall.

Laurinda opened the box and pulled out a red cardigan, decorated with little flowers and playful dolls. It was a bit flashy, but it made her laugh, her eyes crinkling with happiness. After all these years, Fidelia still remembered exactly what she liked. That feeling was amazing.

She shrugged off her coat and slipped on the cardigan right away, spinning in a circle for Fidelia. “How does it look? Do you like it on me?”

Fidelia set down the box and hugged Laurinda tightly, her voice soft and full of love. “My Laurinda would look beautiful in anything.”

“Thank you for my birthday gift. I really do love it.”

Laurinda hugged Fidelia’s thin frame, gently stroking her back. She thought of the wish she’d made that morning before dawn. She just wanted Fidelia to get better, to leave this place, and to be with her again.