Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 87

Isabella spent a week in the intensive care unit and barely survived. However, she not only disfigured her face but also broke her legs.

Her wealthy boyfriend didn’t even pay for her hospital bills before running off.

As for Isabella’s future, it would now be confined to a wheelchair.

Lucas was arrested for intentional harm.

When I returned to the country, I received a letter from Lucas.

The letter was very brief.

Reading Lucas's letter brought a fleeting moment of melancholy, but it quickly faded.

As I held the letter in my hand, Ethan embraced me from behind, his voice tender as he said, "Next week, let's take a trip abroad to clear your mind. You’ve always wanted to go to Santorini, right? I’ve already booked the tickets."

Santorini had always been on my list of dream destinations. Its fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and serene atmosphere were everything I had ever wanted.

I had only mentioned it casually to Ethan when we first met. But to my surprise, he had kept it in mind all this time.

I nodded happily, turning around to embrace him.

Then, something crossed my mind, and I asked, “What did you say to Lucas that day?”

Ethan winked at me, his expression playful.

“It’s a secret.”

I had seen that girl again.

The first time I noticed her was when she helped an elderly woman cross the street.

The second time, she was feeding a stray dog a beef sandwich she had just bought.

The third time, she was holding a crying little girl who had gotten lost, patiently comforting her while waiting for the girl's parents to arrive.

She was a kind and gentle soul.

That evening, I spent a long time staring at the ramen section in the supermarket. My family had always told me not to eat them, saying they were unhealthy. But today, since the housekeeper wasn't around, I figured I might as well give it a try.

However, when it was time to pay, I realized I had left my phone in the car.

In that awkward moment, the girl paid for my noodles.

I offered to transfer the money to her and asked for her contact details, but she smiled and told me not to worry about it, insisting that it was her treat. She even advised me not to eat too much ramen, as they weren't good for my health.

She probably thought I was just a poor kid.

I went back to the car to grab my phone, hoping to catch her and explain, but when I returned, she had already left the supermarket.

I felt a little disheartened. It seemed like I had missed my chance to get to know her.

Later, as I was passing by the alley near the school, I heard the sounds of a struggle.

I thought to myself, if only time could go backward, if only I could return to the past, I would never give up on her...

And then, my wish came true.

I found myself back five years earlier, when we had just graduated from college.

The girl didn’t marry the boy like in the previous life.

Instead, she chose to pursue further studies in New York.

And I, too, gave up on going to Europe and went to New York to find her.

It was a sunny afternoon.

The girl was playing games with children at the welfare home.

Suddenly, she stepped on a stone, and just as she was about to fall, I rushed forward and caught her.

The sunlight bathed her face, and her raven-like lashes fluttered gently.

I spoke first, “Hi, I’m Ethan. Can I have your name?”

She looked at me a little shyly, and when she smiled, her cheeks flushed with a rosy tint.

"Hi, I'm Sophia. It's nice to meet you."