Claudia walked out of her neighborhood and strolled slowly along the sidewalk.
In November's Capital City, the early winter chill spread like a silent painting, seeping into the air and lending a biting cold to every breath.
The cold seemed to slow Claudia down. Her gaze was dull, her reactions sluggish, even her steps felt heavy.
She didn't know how long she had been walking, but she eventually found herself at the old Watkins family estate.
Standing at the gate and looking into the yard, she saw that it was neat and clean, clearly tended to by someone regularly. The swing set in the yard had been repaired, its wooden seat freshly painted.
Claudia stood there, transfixed, as if seeing a vision from her childhood.
She was on the swing, and York, dressed in a white shirt, stood behind her, pushing her. She was laughing, calling him "brother," telling him to push harder, that she wanted to fly higher.
York pushed the swing with one hand while his other hand hovered in the air, ready to catch her if she fell.
...
Claudia quietly pulled her gaze away and continued walking.
When she got tired, she would stop for a rest before starting again.
In the afternoon, Capital City was bustling with traffic. Claudia stopped by a large tree, gently stroking its trunk.
Years ago, this area had been full of low-income housing that had yet to be demolished. After the Watkins family went bankrupt, her parents had brought her and her brother to live here, renting for several years.
During that time, she had experienced the harsh realities of life and endured countless grievances.
Very few people were kind to her. Besides Old Mrs. Shaw, her grandmother's closest friend, there was Wendy. And then there were her childhood friends: Peter, Darleen, and York.
With them around, she had still been able to maintain a foothold in high society.
She remembered that after her wedding date with York was set, he would come to see her almost every night. They would hide behind this very tree, embracing and kissing. When she couldn't resist York's advances any longer, she would let him carry her into his car. Most of the time, York maintained some restraint and would take her back to their wedding house, bringing her back a few hours later.
Even though York didn't love her, back then, they were a couple that others envied.
...
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