Chapter 287 Memories of the Past

"He doesn't know. Just the two of us know. So, Richie, you can't tell anyone, okay?"

Little Leslie's words made Richie extremely happy.

As the memories flowed, Isabel's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden remark from Richie.

"This is a secret between Leslie and me, just for the two of us," Richie said, tilting his head to glance at Xander.noveldrama

Xander caught the look from Richie, narrowing his eyes without speaking.

Isabel watched the look of longing on Richie's face, and for some inexplicable reason, her heart tightened in pain. "Leslie, where are you?" Richie's voice was low and choked, causing a deep sadness to settle over anyone who heard it. Isabel slightly parted her lips, her gaze dropping, lost in thought.

That night, Isabel had another dream.

In the dream, flames reached the sky.

A young couple lay on the ground, and little Leslie cried, shouting, "Mom! Dad! We="

"L-Leslie... don't cry... quick... run."

"No! I don't want to leave you! I'll call the cop! Xan, find Ivana!" Little Leslie's face was drenched in tears. Suddenly, footsteps could be heard outside.

"Quick, go!"

"Listen, go find Richard, hide with him! Hide!"

"But-"

"Leslie! Be good! L-Listen to me."

Little Leslie wiped her face in a chaotic panic, "Mm! I'll be good. I always do as you say! I'll go find Richie!"

The footsteps were getting closer, and little Leslie hurriedly ran out through the back door, not looking back.

She was a good girl, and a good girl has to listen to her parents.

Richie was still in the hospital. She had to hurry and let him know about the bad people.

Little Leslie ran to the backyard and crawled out through the dog door.

"Isabel? Isabel?"

The worried, urgent calls echoed in her ears.

"Isabel!"

The sudden rise in volume woke Isabel. She opened her eyes to see the anxious face of a man.

"W-what's wrong?" Isabel's voice was hoarse as she spoke.

Her face felt sticky.

Isabel lifted her hand to wipe her face, realizing it was all tears.

"What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?" The man's voice was soft and cautious, as if he was afraid his higher volume would upset her.

"Yeah, I... had a nightmare..."

Was it a nightmare?

It felt so real. The fire at the Nelsons' residence ...

And little Leslie crawled out through the dog door.

The truth was surfacing.

She... Isabel... Leslie...

"What kind of nightmare? Why are you crying?" Xander asked, gently wiping Isabel's face with his thumb.

Isabel forced a weak smile, her lips trembling.

"I can't remember ... really, why am I crying like this?"

She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes swollen from crying, her lips puffed.

Isabel had never cried like this in her

life. If the others saw her now, they would surely think she had been swapped out for someone else.

"Stop trying to recall if you can't remember." The man's voice carried a tenderness that seemed ready to overflow.

It was

Isabel found it somewhat a Nothin happened. Was it necessary forg torreact like this?

Just a dream, after all. I

Despite her internal complaints, she couldn't help but feel touched.

him

Just as she was overwhelmed by the emotions, the man suddenly pulled her into his arms, holding her head.