The next news I heard about Wayne was that it was his funeral.
Perhaps it was Wayne’s death that finally made Sebastian come to his senses. He began to devote all his energy to his work. Occasionally, I’d receive text messages from unfamiliar numbers.
There were only a few words repeated over and over. “I’m sorry.”
I read them once, smiled it off, and then blocked the numbers.
Daniel and I lived in the small town for two years before moving back to Hansburg and getting married. Afterward, I took on several apprentices and taught them the traditional medical practices of my ancestors.
After having one son and one daughter, I collaborated with the national pharmaceutical research institute to promote specific medicinal formulas from traditional
medicine.
One of them, a medicine that could reduce maternal pregnancy–related damage, was pushed nationwide.
When the live–streaming industry boomed, I even started to host my own live streams. It was all just to help more people learn about traditional medicine.
Daniel fully supported my career. Whatever I did, he’d always say, “My wife is amazing! You’re the best in the world!”
With him, I never felt insecure because of my age. Having a partner who respected me made my later years incredibly fulfilling. I spent my days healing others and teaching more students.
Later, I heard about Roxanne’s downfall.
Sebastian had held a grudge against her, and she lost her job. Due to his deliberate suppression, she was unable to stand her ground in the industry. Eventually, she became the mistress of a wealthy businessman.
The businessman’s wife beat her up on the street, destroying her face. It went viral online, and she was completely ruined socially.
I just sighed. “Roxanne’s choices were truly a shame.”
Roxanne came from a rural area near my hometown, where there was a strong preference for sons over daughters. When she was just 12 years old, her family almost sold her off for a bride price. I helped her and sponsored her education.
At that time, I wasn’t even wealthy.
She eventually managed to break free from that mire, got into college, but ultimately took a wrong turn. What a pity.
When I was 50, I received a phone call from Sebastian. He was dying. All these years, he had pushed himself too hard, deliberately exhausting his life, and now, his
time was up.
He said, “I’ve wanted to die ever since I lost you.”
Before he passed, he left the company to me and said one last thing. “I’m sorry”
I didn’t respond, nor did I attend his funeral. I simply handed over the management of his company to a professional agent.
The company’s yearly profits were donated to a women’s mutual aid foundation. A portion of it was used for matemal subsidies, and another portion went to fund girls‘ education in rural villages.
Even though Roxanne had let me down, I still believed that more young women from the rural villages could succeed one day.
