n Break a Heart
The Love That Never Been Chosen
Chapter 20
Zoey’s Congo (Kinshasa) Diaries concluded online, and countless renders shed fears over Joseph’s tragle ending. Many spontaneously visited his grave to pay their respects. Even his parents, who hail or rejected him, appeared in the media, speaking of his kindness and selflessness. However, betizens quickly unewered their past actims, and they were immediately met with public butrage. Anonymin er wreaths piled up in their hallways, and eventually, they hail to move out in the middle of the night, dispearing from sight without anyone knowing where they went
seph was posthumously awarded the Nansen Hefigee Award by the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to protecting and assisting rogers. Abluugh he won longer alive, his spirit and efforts continued to influence many people
Jackson did not join Médecins Sans Frontières; instead, be bought the flower shop next to the cemetery, Zoey’s words that day reminded him of his childhood, when he used to play in the yard with his brother, making mud pliis coll had asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. and Jackson had said he wanted to open a big flower shop. This memory, however, was lost in the passage of time. Every year, no matter how busy with work. Zery would make time to visit the cemetery in houer her mother Joseph. It was the only time she could connect with them. At other times, she traveled through war torn regions like the Middle East and Eastern Europe, while Jackson quietly counted the days, hoping for a chance to meet her again.
Sara’s social life collapsed. Her old friends severed ties with her, seeing her liar with sherlar motives. With nowhere else to turn, she sought Jackson, only to realize that his heart had long been taken by Zoey. The false world she had built for herself crumbled, and the was left as a pitiţii.
down
Zoey’s balf–sister passed away two years later. Her stepmother had taken her home, and now, she had lost her own daughter. Zoey’s father, Harry, found himself alone again as his family had broken apart once more. This time, though, he no longer had a daughter by his side, and not long afteAs I walked out of the cemetery, I sank someone hadn’t expected my dad. Jason must have gone to see him, which is how be found out about my moor’s cameta, He must have also krimen that I was hack
With a somewhat tentative tone, he asked, “Have you eaten?”
1 did respond immediately and asked, “What do you want from me?”
He hesitated for a moment helme speaking. “Could you come home for
I couldn’t hold back a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve always told me to stay away, followed your wishes, so why now, all of a sudden, do you want me to
return?”
His voice trembled as he said.
1 froze for a moment, taken aback
Your sister is ill. She has caners!
“Tve tried everything we’ve sold everything we can. You’re her sister. Could you help her?”
His face was full of sorrow and regret
“I know you resent me, but it wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t my choice to puil you away………
His eyes were filled with pain. “You’re my daughter. How could I ever bear to send you away? I had my reasons
Hooked at him quietly, knowing that our past was a tangled mess of misunderstandings. “I know,” I said, not needing further explanation
He seemed to be lost in thought for a momem. I remembered how, on the day him that I was going to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a doctor. arguing with my aunt in the kitchen, I heard words that cut through me
“May will he going to college soon too. How are we going to afford it?”
“You’ve already raised her to adulthood. Isn’t that enough?”
“Harry! You now it’s either her or me in this family
received my college acceptance lotter, I’d been so happy, eager to tell rushed home, hoping to share the good news, but when I overheard him
I’d closed the door scfly and ran out, sitting on the street alone for the rest of the afternoon. That entire summer, I lived in a constant state of anety. waiting for an enser could never fully understand.
But when the time came for me to report to college. I thought I had everything figured out. It felt like a new beginning, yet my world shattered.
“You didn’t want our home to fall apart again, so you sacrificed me. No matter how much it hurt, you still sent me away.” I said quietly
He opened his mouth, but I interrupted, “I don’t resent you. I understand.”
I paused and added. “But as a daughter, you’re not a terrible father, but you’re also not a good one.”
I reached for my phone and transferred 300.000 yuan to him. Over the years. He’d sent money into my account from time to time, and I had saved it all, planning to repay him when the moment was right.
“I’ve paid back the money you gave me. The rest… let it be my way of repaying your raising me.
Ladded coldly, “Please, don’t come looking for me again.”
After the restaurant, I felt a wave of lightness wash over me, All the burd us that had weighed heavily on my heart seemed to lift and disappear one by one
I turned a corner and found myself at the flower shop where Joseph had once bought my mother the bird of paradise flowers. The owner recognized me, but the shop was almost empty. She was loading the last of the flowerpots onto a truck
I asked. “Where are you moving these 1027
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Nine Chances to Break a Heart: The Love That Never Been Chosen
25.04
Chapter 19
She smiled, “We’re closing down! I want to try something different.”
I paused for a moment. “Well, that’s alright
She took the remaining lites of the valley, hyacinths, and olive branches, and wrapped them in a houpait for me. “May we all embrace new
beginnings
We shared a brief, heartfelt hug before parting ways.
As I walked home, the sunset painted the sky in vibrant hues. I stopped for a le, taking in the beauty of the moment, before my phone ring. It was the dean, his voice tense.
“Joe, your leave might need to end sooner than expected.”
1 immediately asked, “What’s going on?
He sent me a news antiche: “Lebanese Conflict Escalates, Multiple Pager Explosions Reported.”
“The hospital thinks you might be the best person to handle this-
I interrupted him, “T going.”
1 pulled out the necklace with Joseph’s name engraved on the tag from my car and kissed it gently.
I knew then that there would be no other answers. Wherever the smoke of warises, that’s where we must go.
We will always hope that everyone in this world, no matter how deep the darkness they face, will find a glimmer of hope.
ir, he passed away.
Zory continued to sponsor the children she had saved. Ray and Mary ultimately became a journalist and a doctor, fulfilling their dreams. Years later. Zoey was awarded the United Nations Contribution Award. During her acceptance speech, she said, “If you can’t stop war, then do everything you can to save those who still have a chance to live.”
Epilogue
Zoey ultimately found her own path and continued her mission. No matter how the world changed, she remained steadfast, carrying the hopes of those who had passed and lighting the way for more lives to move forward.
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