Chapter 433


    Herman couldn’t shake the feeling that he was onto the truth of the matter, and the more he thought


    about it, the more he couldn’t let it go.


    “Could you just ask her for me? See what she says,” Herman pondered aloud after mulling it over, “She


    might say something different to you than she would to me.”


    Seraphina could hardly contain her amusement at his obsessive behavior, “And if it really is her, what


    do you n to do? Step up and take responsibility? Be her boyfriend? Marry her?”


    Herman was taken aback at the suggestion.


    He had been so focused on confirming whether Andrea was indeed the girl from seven years ago, he


    hadn’t considered Seraphina’s implications at all.


    “At the very least… I could have a chance to exin things to her, and, well, apologize,” Herman said


    finally.


    Seraphina sighed softly and said, “Believe me, after something like that, no woman cares about your


    apology.”


    “I know…” Herman paused, then continued slowly, “But to me, it matters a lot.”


    Seraphina looked up, meeting his gaze for a moment before finally nodding.


    “Alright, I’ll ask her for you,” Seraphina conceded, “But I can’t promise you what the oue will be.”


    Herman fell silent upon hearing this, not responding further.


    As dusk settled, Andrea arrived at Seraphina’s ce for another meeting with Seraphina, having been


    invited once again. Seraphina had brought home a few takeout dishes from a local diner, creating a


    simple but decent dinner spread.


    Upon entering, Andrea’s gaze seemed to wander, as if searching for something.


    “Don’t worry,” Seraphina assured her, “Herman was chased away by me earlier. He’s not here.”


    Andrea gave her a deep look and settled down to chat with little Valerio.


    However, Seraphina quickly sent Valerio off to find his friends and y.


    “Isn’t he eating?” Andrea inquired.


    “With all the snacks those kids bring him daily, he’s hardly ever hungry,” Seraphina chuckled, “Don’t


    worry about him. Just take care of yourself.”


    Andrea nced at her before quietly starting her meal.


    “You know, I heard a fairy tale this afternoon. Would you like to hear it?”


    “Not really,” Andrea responded without looking up.


    “Well, I want to tell it, Seraphina insisted, and began recounting the story Herman had shared with her


    that afternoon.


    Andrea continued eating as she listened, her expression unchanged even after the story ended.


    “He’s been carrying guilt and remorse for seven years, which is hard enough,” Seraphinamented,


    “Wanting to know who he hurt is understandable, right?” Andrea nodded calmly, “Yes.”


    “So, is it you?” Seraphina asked cautiously.


    “No,” Andrea replied without hesitation.


    Seeing Andrea’s dismissive attitude, Seraphina smiled faintly and dropped the subject.


    After a meal that seemed tock vor, Andrea excused herself to return to work. Seraphina didn’t stop


    her, only smiling as she saw her out.


    At the doorstep, Andrea paused, looking back at Seraphina with suspicion, “Why do I get the feeling


    you’re up to no good?”


    “Come on,” Seraphina raised her fingers in a gesture of innocence, “We’re family. If I had a scheme, it


    wouldn’t be against you. Just like… you would lie to anyone else, but you wouldn’t lie to me, right?”


    Andrea paused briefly at Seraphina’s words and then walked out without another word.


    Just as she stepped out, she caught sight of a tall figure lingering at the curb. Andrea’s steps faltered,


    and she turned to confront Seraphina, only to see Seraphina quickly duck back inside and m the


    door shut.


    Biting back her frustration, Andrea headed toward the street.


    Herman had been waiting by the roadside for a long time, looking back repeatedly until he finally saw


    Andrea approaching.


    Her expression was stoic as she faced him, walking up directly.


    “Mr. Herman,” she started before he could speak, “I’ve just heard your story from Seraphina… I


    understand how you feel, but I must reiterate, I am not the person you’re looking for.”


    The streemp’s glow was obscured by the overhanging trees, casting a dim light that only the passing


    headlights asionally brightened, illuminating Herman’s face. He looked moreposed than before,


    his previous anxiety reced with a quiet intensity as he gazed at Andrea. After a long silence, he


    spoke softly, “It might not be you, but there are things on my mind I need to say. Could you listen?”


    Andrea was silent for a moment before replying, “Do I have a choice?”


    Herman continued to look at her as he spoke, “Seven years ago, that night, I wronged a girl. I’ve been


    guilty ever since, I tried to find her, to make it up to her, to apologize. But I’vee to realize that in


    these seven years, she may have moved on with her life. By bringing up the past, I might be causing


    her more pain. The wrong I did is mine to bear, and I have no right to impose my apology on her. So, I


    won’t be pursuing this any further. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you and for everything that’s


    happened”


    Andrea paused, then offered a slight smile, “It’s good that you’vee to terms with it. I ept your


    apology. It’s okay.”


    Herman nodded slowly and then offered, “Let me walk you home.”


    “No need,” Andrea stated tly. “We were strangers to begin with. There’s no point in holding a grudge


    over a simple misunderstanding. You don’t owe me anything. I can get home on my own.”


    Herman was taken aback, speechless in the face of her cool dismissal.


    Behind the door, Seraphina leaned against the wood, her thoughts racing uncontrobly.


    She knew that Herman had been waiting outside for Andrea, and she also knew that after tonight’s


    conversation, perhaps the whole ordeal woulde to an end.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Despite Andrea’s aloofness, which seemed so out of character, if this was her decision, Seraphina


    knew she had no right to intervene. All she could hope for was that Andrea truly didn’t care, or that she


    really wasn’t the girl from seven years ago.


    Lost in her thoughts, Seraphina was startled by a knock at the door.


    Had their talk ended so soon?


    As she turned to open the door, Seraphina began to exin to Andrea, “I told you, we’re family, I would


    never betray-” But standing before her wasn’t Andrea. It was Leandro, with his tall and regal stature,


    who upon hearing her words, spoke slowly, “I’m d to hear you’re so principled.”