Chapter 157

The air was chilly in the morning. Irene folded her arms, thinking to herself that she should have told Sheryl sooner—she could have seen Lionel one last time, then. Lionel's death was not really peaceful, perhaps because he regretted not being able to see Sheryl one last time. "What's on your mind?" Irene heard the voice just as she felt a cardigan being draped over shoulders, and she turned to find Isaac standing there. His facial features suddenly seemed indistinct and he appeared more languid than usual, though he was much more affable now. Turning away, she said, "I just called my mom… I should have told her sooner. I'm the reason why she never got to see my father one last time…" "It's not your fault. They are their own people, and they can decide for themselves." People who are in love would never live apart—separation itself is their own choice, and not something others can decide for them. They were both adults and could think for themselves independently, which w