Chapter 14

Dustin looked at Melanie, who seemed to have recalled something and carried a faint smile on her lips. He felt a surge of emotions, as if something was about to spill out of him. After a long silence, he finally stepped forward and stood in front of her. Dustin was at least a head taller than Melanie. Now, standing before her, his shadow seemed to completely envelop her. He raised his hand, as if he wanted to touch her, but he let it fall back cowardly in the end. "Mel, I'm sorry." The apology was three years too late, but he couldn't help but think to himself that it was only three years. It was better than never seeing her again for the rest of his life. The sudden and random apology stunned Melanie. "What?" she blurted out without thinking. But as soon as the word left her lips, she seemed to recall something and fell silent. It was hard to say which incident he was apologizing for. Across from her, Dustin explained, "I didn't know my mother would force you to leave. I never m