**When Broken Hearts Learn To Breathe Again by Daren S. Cole**
“Wasn’t it you, Tom, who once told me, back when we were just kids, that those of us from the orphanage have to be strong? After all, we have no one but ourselves to lean on?”
The moment those words left Yvonne’s lips, Thomas couldn’t help but smile, a knowing glimmer shining in his eyes.
Back in the days at the orphanage, he had been slightly older than the rest, a bit more mature, and it was he who first learned the harsh realities of their lives.
Yvonne, on the other hand, was the one who seemed to cry the loudest.
Every time the director reminded her of her lack of parents, her tears would flow freely, each sob echoing through the hall like a mournful melody, louder than any other child’s cries.
Initially, Thomas found himself irritated by Yvonne. To him, she embodied the essence of a spoiled child, always seeking the director’s attention, throwing herself into the woman’s arms with exaggerated cuteness, hoping to gain special treatment.
While all the children received the same meager snacks and gifts, Yvonne had an uncanny knack for charming the girl responsible for distributing them, often ending up with extra treats.
Thomas couldn’t help but look down on her for her behavior, dismissing her as nothing more than a manipulative little girl.
But everything changed that year when the director stood firm, refusing to allow the orphanage’s sponsor to exploit the children as mere tools for charity, paraded around for the public’s approval.
In a fit of rage, the sponsor withdrew their support, leaving the orphanage in dire straits.
Suddenly, the food served in the cafeteria became scarce, the clothing supplies dwindled, and even the winter bedding was reduced to a mere fraction of what they needed.
It was during this bleak time that Yvonne, with her resourcefulness, opened up her little locker and revealed a stash of snacks and clothes she had been saving for a rainy day.
As she shared the cookies with the other children, Thomas found himself holding one in his hand, the warmth of shame creeping up his cheeks.
Yvonne wrinkled her nose in playful frustration, her eyes sparkling with determination.
“What’s the matter, Tom? I know you’ve never been fond of me, but with food running low, if you don’t eat now, there might not be anything left later!”
It turned out she had accidentally overheard a conversation between the director and the sponsor, learning that their support would vanish in just two months.
So, in her innocent wisdom, she had decided to save what she could while supplies still lasted.
At such a tender age, she displayed a strength and sensibility that belied her years. To shield the other children from the harsh truth of their situation, she kept the news of the impending withdrawal a secret, comforting them through the uncertainty and fear.
As Thomas bit into the sweet cookie, he found himself captivated by the light in Yvonne’s eyes, a sudden pang of realization striking his heart.
From that moment on, an unbreakable bond began to form between them.
Yvonne would follow him around like a devoted little shadow, affectionately calling him “Tom.”
Yet, Thomas never imagined that the girl who had captured his heart would endure five long years of humiliation and slander at the hands of Winthrop.
But isn’t that just the essence of who Yvonne is?
For the people and the things she holds dear, she willingly sacrifices her own happiness and joy.
Her love burns bright and fierce, but Winthrop seems blind to its brilliance.
Thomas lowered his gaze, a flicker of heartache visible beneath his furrowed brows.
With a gentle tap, he rapped his fingers against the invitation resting on the table.
“The Mendoza family’s celebration banquet is the day after tomorrow. I’ll be bringing Xia along with me. You should take this time to rest and recuperate.”
He couldn’t shake the worry that if she attended, she might feel out of place, uncomfortable in the midst of that world.
But when Yvonne stepped into the room, her eyes immediately landed on the invitation, which, to his surprise, included a special note for her.
She hesitated, her resolve apparent as she shook her head slowly.
“Tom, some things in life have to be faced, don’t you think? I can’t hide from him forever. Sooner or later, we have to confront what’s waiting for us.”
