Chapter 17 - Broken

Noah

Because I was left at the orphanage as a baby without any information, I didn't know my date of birth. The day I was adopted by Owen’s family became my birthday.

Lisa made a sculpture for me, as my first ever birthday gift. It was a delicate female figure with leaves in her hair and butterflies covering her body. It represented mother earth. Lisa must’ve intuited how much I loved nature.

It was very important to me. It represented the first time someone cared enough about me to give me something so precious and meaningful.

How could I have been so careless? I tried to call Owen to ask when I could come over. He refused to answer.

The next morning, I had a long, hot shower. I braided my hair and decided to wear an elegant, sapphire blue dress.

I made my way to the kitchen and prepared an extensive English breakfast for Raymond and myself.

Raymond came in through the back door, wearing only his swimming trunks and a towel hung over his shoulder. His hair was wet and dripping onto th