The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan)
Chapter 42

Chapter

9

I settled down in a small coastal town. After exploring the surrounding sights, I found work as a pottery instructor at a seaside DIY shop, teaching customers how to make pottery or helping create ceramic pieces. I didn't tell anyone where I was - not even my parents. So,

when I saw Theodore, I was utterly shocked.

That day, I was working as usual, cleaning up the pottery tools.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure at the entrance.

Assuming it was a customer, I greeted them quickly, "Hello! How can I help you?"

But he stayed silent. When I looked up, I realized it was Theodore. He stood there, looking at me as if he'd just found a lost treasure. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "It's been a while."

A gentle breeze blew, scattering the hair over my forehead. I tucked the stray strands behind my ear and smiled, "It has been a while."

I took Theodore on a tour around the small town. We strolled through narrow alleys, sometimes passing groups of playful children. We walked side by side, occasionally stopping to admire the scenery.

"How have you been?" he asked.

"Better than ever!" I replied with a smile.

"Rosalie, I-" he started, but before he could finish, I spotted a limping white kitten making its way toward us, leaving a trail of blood Theodore and I rushed it to a pet clinic. Thankfully, the injuries weren't severe. The vet gave us some medicine and instructions to apply it to the wound. Theodore held the kitten steady as I carefully treated its injuries. Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind, and I froze. Theodore noticed and asked, "What's wrong?"

I collected my thoughts, glanced at him, and said, "When I was a child, I once rescued a kitten just like this one. I later gave it to a little boy who couldn't see." "And then?"

"I never knew what happened to it. I never saw it again."

Theodore didn't press further. After saying goodbye to him, I brought the kitten back to my rented room. Sitting on the bed, I couldn't help but remember Stephen's WhatsApp profile picture-the same white kitten.

No wonder it felt so familiar. That little boy had been him all along.