Forsaking the Years of Longing novel Chapter 90

Chapter 14

Jonathan sat on the beach, lost in thought.

Daphne suddenly tugged on his hand and turned to look at an ice cream cart further down the sand.

"Brother, I want some ice cream," she said softly.

Jonathan glanced at the cart, which wasn't far, and decided it was safe to leave Daphne within his sight. He affectionately patted her head.

"Alright, I'll get it for you. Stay here and don't wander off, okay?

Just wait for me."

Daphne nodded with a bright smile, and Jonathan walked toward the ice cream cart.

As she waited, the shells scattered along the shoreline caught Daphne's attention. She couldn't resist following the trail, gradually straying from where Jonathan could see her.

When she bent down to pick up a shell, she accidentally kicked an empty bottle. Looking up, she noticed a figure sitting not far away.

"Excuse me, is this your bottle?"

Daphne approached the man slumped on the beach, seemingly lost in a drunken stupor, holding out the bottle.

The man slowly took it, raising his head to look at her. His entire body froze.

"Daphne!"

Matthew's voice was filled with disbelief and elation, as if he couldn't trust his own eyes, suspecting the alcohol was playing tricks on him.

"Do you know me?" Daphne asked, her gaze curious yet distant as she toyed with the shell in her hand.

Hearing those words, Matthew felt a sharp pain pierce his heart.

The clarity in her eyes, coupled with her unfamiliarity, was unbearable.

"Daphne, come home with me. Please, it's all my fault..."

Matthew's voice cracked as he reached out, his eyes rimmed with red.

Startled by the strange man's approach, Daphne recoiled, flailing her arms.

"Don't come near me! I don't know you!" she shouted.

Matthew, undeterred, tried to step closer, but Jonathan appeared just in time, stepping between them and glaring at Matthew with fury.

"Matthew, I warned you — don't ever come near Daphne again!