25
Eric's eyes brimmed with tears as he struggled to speak, "Wanda, I've finally located you."
The recognizable voice behind her caused Wanda to spin around in astonishment. Spotting Eric in the shadows, her eyes grew wide with surprise. "Why are you here?"
She had always known her survival couldn't remain a secret indefinitely. However, she never anticipated Eric uncovering the truth and tracking her down in under a year.
As Eric gazed at Wanda, his eyes conveyed a whirlwind of emotions. Countless restless nights, an ocean of yearning and remorse. All his regrets distilled into a single query, "Have you been alright... this past year?"
Among all the reactions Wanda had imagined from Eric - anger, blame, or demands - she never expected him to inquire about her well-being.
She clutched Richard's arm more tightly and instinctively retreated. Wanda replied courteously, "I'm doing fine. If there's nothing else, I'll go inside now."