Chapter 166
\nThree Years Later, He Came Back Begging novel Chapter 166<\/p>\n
Bonnie and Helen wandered the mall from a little after three all the way to five thirty, practically dizzy from all the choices. They eventually made their way back to the third floor, right where they started, both knowing they were here for a watch.<\/p>\n
On a Saturday evening the place was packed, wall to wall with people. The store had a handful of customers and the sales staff were all busy, so Bonnie and Helen grabbed stools at the counter and started checking out the displays on their own.<\/p>\n
They\u2019d been here before and Helen had already picked out a watch she liked\u2014the same one a celebrity had worn. She leaned over the glass, staring at the price tag. \u201cIs this over our budget? It\u2019s almost twenty grand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie didn\u2019t say anything, so Helen just kept talking. \u201cBut honestly, Aiken\u2019s done a lot lately. If you ask me, it\u2019s totally fair to get him something nice in return. This one is so classy without trying too hard. It kind of fits Aiken\u2019s vibe, don\u2019t you think, Bonnie?\u201d<\/p>\n
Bonnie wasn\u2019t listening. She was staring at the TV hanging behind the counter. Helen frowned, squinting in confusion. \u201cI\u2019m talking to you… what\u2019s got you so distracted?\u201d<\/p>\n
She followed Bonnie\u2019s gaze. Then Helen froze, too.<\/p>\n
On the screen, Hannah was still in her white ballet costume, layers of the tutu sparkling under the lights, gems catching every reflection. She held a giant bouquet. Her bare arms and shoulders were strong and graceful, muscles defined and elegant. Hannah\u2019s smile was pure, happy, full of joy as she answered an interview after her debut performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, congratulations on a beautiful show. It really was a feast for ballet lovers. By the way, rumor has it your wedding with the CEO of The Lane Group is coming up. Is that true?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hannah smiled right into the camera. \u201cYes, my partner and I are tying the knot very soon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The TV cut out at that moment. Bonnie\u2019s left ear rang for a split second, but it passed quickly. She rubbed it, then turned and called a sales associate over, pointing at a sleek black mechanical watch in the case. \u201cCan you wrap this one up for me? It\u2019s a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Helen glanced over, worry flickering across her face, but Bonnie gave a small smile. \u201cReally, I\u2019m okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Ned ever decided to leave, Helen doubted she\u2019d be any stronger than Bonnie.<\/p>\n
Strength, weakness, letting go, holding on, anger, forgiveness\u2014they\u2019re all just part of being human.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go eat,\u201d Helen said, hooking her arm through Bonnie\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Bonnie smiled and nodded. She picked up the gift she\u2019d gotten for Aiken and followed Helen out of the store. The bustle and noise of the mall faded, along with the faint voices from the TV.<\/p>\n
They found somewhere to have dinner, and when they finished, it was still early. They sat around, deep in conversation, until it was time to leave. Just before they headed out, Helen went to the restroom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-834","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/834","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kampoengnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=834"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}