❝𝒎𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒑𝒆𝒊𝒔.❞
(you're missing from me.)
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𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔
Iva Laurent lost her parents when she was eight. Sold to the black market by her only relative left on this earth, she was l...
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SHANGHAI December Location: Iva's Apartment
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I didn't know what was I thinking when I blurted my name out mindlessly but there was a satisfied grin etched in his charming face before he turned around and left through the main door of my apartment. It didn't even come across my mind that I was holding my breath all along until I felt the slight ache in my lungs and my body forced itself to respire in order to prevent me from dying of asphyxiation.
I turned and walked towards the drawers beside my easel and picked out a photo frame that was stashed all the way in the deepest corner. I flipped it around and picked up a paint-stained cloth to wipe away the dust that had collected on this forgotten piece of the item laying in my house.
"Hey Mom," I smoothed my finger over her face before it moved over to the man beside her. "Hey Dad."
I held onto the family portrait and walked towards the seating area. My gaze lingered on their faces, finally remembering all the forgotten features that had gradually faded with the phase of time. Thoughts rushed into my mind and I realised that next year is that year again.
I shifted uncomfortably as my hand reached for the locket necklace hanging on my neck. I sighed, hugging onto the photo frame with one hand and gripped tightly onto the necklace with the other. My back leaned against the backrest of the couch and I closed my eyes while flashback of the past replayed itself in my mind.
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KAWAZU February | 15 years ago Location: Kawazu River
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The eight-year-old girl stretched her arms out towards her father, begging for him to carry her up high. He laughed lovingly and bent forward to grip on her underarm to pick her up in his hold. Her hands quickly reached for the low branches filled with vibrant pink petals as her hazel eyes sparkled in awe. Her father mentioned, "Isabel, you can only touch them gently. You'll hurt them if you aren't careful."
"They feel?" she asked weirdly, frowning in confusion from what she heard.
"They do, darling," he smiled, combing a falling lock of her dark brown hair back before continuing, "All that is living would feel."
"Why don't they say 'ouch' when they are hurt?" she inquired further, intrigued by the new knowledge.
"Not everyone says 'ouch' when they are hurt, little munchkin." A woman came close and stood beside them, her hand pinched slightly onto the little girl's nose while smiling fondly.
