Epilogue: Candy, Apple Blossoms, and Home

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When I opened my eyes, I was in a different place.

The world was brighter, the air sweeter. Sunlight glinted off windows. I blinked, trying to make sense of it all. The scent of pastry drifted by—warm, creamy, unfamiliar.

The street was thick with a pastry smell I’d never known—sweet and milky. Bright and dazzling, prettier than Maple Heights.

The buildings soared above me, glass and steel reflecting the sunlight. People bustled past, their faces alight with joy. A breeze tickled my face.

Looking up, the traffic light flashed green.

I stepped onto the crosswalk, marveling at the world around me. My heart pounded with excitement—and something like fear.

A young girl with two braids bumped into me.

She looked up, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, time seemed to stop. I gasped, recognizing her immediately. My breath caught in my throat.

She stuck out her tongue: “Sorry, I was in a hurry.”

Her voice was familiar, her smile even more so. My heart skipped a beat. I wanted to reach out and touch her cheek, just to be sure she was real.

She looked familiar. That face, those brows—it was… Autumn. So many years, I’d never forgotten her.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I reached out, afraid she’d disappear. My hand trembled.

A man carrying a child caught up: “Autumn, you walk too fast, why not wait for me and Aiden?”

His voice was warm, his smile kind. The child in his arms giggled, reaching for me. I felt a lump rise in my throat.

I watched their happy family, warm and harmonious.

They were everything I’d ever hoped for, everything I’d ever lost. I blinked away tears, the world shimmering.

The child touched my hand: “Auntie, why are you crying? This is my candy, for you.”

He pressed a piece of candy into my hand, his eyes full of innocence. I smiled through my tears, grateful beyond words.

I took the little candy.

It was small, but it meant everything. I closed my fist around it, feeling its warmth.

Small, but I knew it was sweet without tasting.

The feeling melting in my hand seemed to be… happiness. It was like hope, like a promise kept.

Apple blossoms fell on my head.

The petals drifted down, soft and fragrant. I closed my eyes, letting them wash over me. The scent was familiar—like spring back in Maple Heights.

Autumn’s smile was a ‘thank you’ across centuries.

Her eyes met mine, full of gratitude and love. I smiled back, knowing we’d both found our way home.