Eleven Years All to the Wrong Man novel Chapter 3

She slept poorly, drifting in and out of a haze filled with memories of the past.

There was the image of a young Evan, standing under the shade of a tree, smiling and waving at her.-

There was their first year in the city, in the dead of winter. The roof of their rented apartment leaked, and Evan, shivering from the cold himself, held her tightly to keep her warm.

There was the time Evan secured his first round of startup funding. They celebrated at a cheap noodle stand on the street, eating with gusto and dreaming of a bright future.

…

When she woke up, her pillow was soaked. Emma wiped her eyes and looked toward the bedroom door with a sense of loss.

Three months and nine days.

This was the longest Evan had ever been away from home.

She had an appointment that morning. Emma dried her tears, got dressed, and after a quick wash, left for the hospital without eating breakfast.

Hematology Department.

The hallway was bustling with patients and their families. But in the farthest corner to the left, Emma sat all alone.

A warm-hearted woman in her fifties sitting nearby noticed Emma was by herself and couldn't help but ask, "Oh, dear, did you come alone?"

"Yes."

Emma nodded with a polite smile.

The woman clicked her tongue. "Why are you here by yourself? Where's your family? Are you married?"

The woman's rapid-fire questions caught Emma off guard. She let out a dry laugh, wondering how to respond.

"Mom, that's enough questions! I'm sorry," a younger woman next to her leaned forward and said, offering Emma an apologetic smile. "My mom doesn't mean any harm, she's just a little too friendly."

Emma shook her head and returned a small, appropriate smile.

The central air conditioning overhead was blasting cold air. She had been in a hurry this morning and had only grabbed a thin jacket, and now, sitting under the vent, she felt a chill.

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