Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 586

April heralds the blossoming of wisteria, their lavender cascades a signature of the season. In R City, the grandest of these vines can be found adorning the iron trellises of Happy Nest Home for Children, a place it has called home for nearly two decades.

Izabella and Casey had made it an annual tradition to visit the orphanage, bringing along a trove of trinkets and treats for the little ones.

Over the years, the orphanage had grown quieter, a bittersweet testament to its success. The silence meant fewer abandoned children, more little hearts finding families to call their own.

When it came time to visit, Izabella would leave their golden retriever, Aaron, and the tabby cat, Emily, at home. The children at the orphanage needed their full attention.

This year, the wisteria bloomed with particular vigor, draping over the garden like a purple waterfall. The cool shade beneath its canopy was a refuge from the heat, a gentle breeze stirring the air, mingled with the scent of flowers and the chirrup of birds. For Izabella, such tranquil moments were the essence of bliss, a serene life without the clamor for grandeur.

"Do you remember? Our second date was right here," Casey said, guiding Izabella to a wooden bench under the wisteria, the same spot they'd shared years ago. The once bashful Ryker Dempsey had transformed into the confident man by her side.

Back then, Casey had little more than cookies to offer – a meager token of his affection. But those cookies, hoarded for days and offered with a shy smile, had meant the world to her.

"Of course, I remember. You wouldn't stop insisting I try your stash of cookies," Izabella replied, the corner of her mouth lifting in a fond smile.

Chuckling at the memory, Casey scratched his head. "That was all I had to give you back then."

To Izabella, those ordinary oatmeal cookies were a treasure, a warmth that lingered in her heart, unforgettable and precious. When she nodded, affirming they were delicious, Casey beamed, "You're easy to please, aren't you?"

But that was the point – Izabella had been battling stomach cancer, surrounded by few who cared. Each act of kindness was etched into her memory, like the cab driver's words on the day of her diagnosis: "No hurdle is too high. Tomorrow's sunrise brings a new day." And sure enough, she had overcome.

As they reminisced under the wisteria, Izabella recalled her second visit to the orphanage. "You took me to get gifts, and when a mouse darted out of the storeroom, you didn't hesitate to take it down with scissors. You said you'd handle anything I feared."

"Did you fear me then?" Casey asked, a playful curiosity in his tone.

With a soft laugh, Izabella replied, "No, I knew you were protecting me, not hurting me."

Whether as the naïve Ryker or the astute Casey, his intentions had always been pure. There was no room for fear in the face of such genuine care.

"It's time to head back," Izabella said, standing and pulling Casey to his feet. They returned to Aaron and Emily, who were with their babysitter, Tiara, at a nearby milkshake parlor, engrossed in video games.

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