Chapter 23

The weather up in the mountains was usually unstable, and Azalea Hills was no exception—it began to rain not long after Naomi and Charles arrived at the bed and breakfast. The raindrops pitter-pattered against the leaves of the trees like a harmonious orchestra. Naomi and Charles settled into their rooms, freshened up, and went back downstairs for their dinner. This time of the year was when the azaleas were in full bloom, so naturally, there were plenty of tourists who came by to see the flowers in bloom, but thankfully, the bed and breakfast was not fully occupied. By nightfall, most of the tourists already went home, so Azalea Hills was once again peaceful and serene. Naomi and Charles enjoyed their meal in comfortable silence, only occasionally exchanging whispers of conversation. Just as they finished their dinner and were about to leave, they heard a loud crack as a bowl fell onto the ground, spilling its contents and shattering into smithereens. Naomi instinctively