Twisted Ties of Love (Izabella Salotti and Brett) novel Chapter 591

Brett passed away, slipping from this world in the embrace of an April sun, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold reality of his departure. He wished for one last summer, longed to hear the cicadas' song just once more, but death claimed him before the season turned.

Is death painful? Brett found it hard to say. For years, sickness had been his shadow, and in the end, death seemed more an ally than a foe, a release from his earthly bonds.

Sometimes, it's better to die than to live in agony. To exist in pain is to live a life worse than death itself. The only thing that gnawed at him was the injustice of it all—the thought that he would never again see the face of the one he'd loved for so long.

Izabella once told him that hearing is the last sense to fade in death. Brett wasn't sure about that. What truly vanished last for him was the voice of his heart—a voice that didn't truly exist.

From resentment to release, the journey was long.

But even in letting go, his pain was more than physical. It was an emotional collapse, a despair so deep it felt like a thousand swords piercing his heart.

Memories flickered through his mind like a carousel, blurring and sharpening until they faded completely, like a cracked mirror that could no longer reflect its former self. Then, nothing but darkness...

"Brett, wake up, we're almost there. You hungry?"

Brett shook his head out of reflex before realizing something was amiss. He opened his eyes, his vision swimming into focus. To his shock, his parents, who had died long ago, were sitting beside him.

Was this the afterlife?

His mother's gentle hand tested his forehead for fever, and seeing his dazed look, she laughed softly. "You've slept the whole way. Are you still groggy?"

Grasping her hand, Brett felt its realness—the warmth, the breath, the hum of the car engine, the return of touch, sight, hearing...everything was normal again.

Brett stared in disbelief, touching his hair—it hadn't fallen out. He pinched his cheek and winced. It hurt, so this couldn't be a dream.

Mr. Windham, bemused by his son's odd behavior, chuckled. "What's gotten into you, boy?"

With a stiff voice, Brett uttered, "Mom." He had almost forgotten the word, his eyes glistening as he looked at her.

Mr. Windham ruffled his hair. "What's wrong, son?"

Brett shook his head, unable to accept the reality of his "second chance" so quickly. Glancing at the rearview mirror, he saw himself as a child, no older than six or seven.

Hanging from the car's mirror was a little stuffed lamb—a symbol of the year he turned seven.

At seven, life was full of potential. Apart from his youth, he had everything, the chance to change it all. His parents wouldn't die in that accident, Nathaniel Kruger hadn't been taken in by the Windham family yet, Casey was still Cameron Windham, and most importantly, Casey hadn't met Izabella yet. If he met her first and treated her well, would she fall for him instead?

It felt like a gamble, much like the one in his past life. The difference was that, this time, he had something to wager—his whole life. He could meet Izabella sooner and be with her. Izabella, starved for affection, would surely respond to someone who showed her kindness.

His empty heart suddenly felt full. A smile crept across Brett's face.

He had thought his life was set in stone, but fate seemed to have granted him a second chance to make amends, to hold onto everything once lost.

"Mom, where are we going?" Brett asked, lacking the memories of his younger self, yet finding the passing scenery vaguely familiar.

"Oh, you really did sleep your brains out. We're in R City," she replied.

R City, three decades ago, hadn't fully flourished. Who could have predicted that within ten years, it would evolve into a bustling metropolis, a hub of national development, frequented by influential entrepreneurs, including Izabella.

At this time, Izabella was just a four-year-old toddler, and Brett was eager to meet her.

R City was a wonderful place, rich with attractions and delicacies—a prime tourist destination. Brett remembered his parents often took him here, instilling a fondness for the city. So when he left the Windham family in J City, R City was his first choice to start anew.

As they drove, familiar landmarks began to emerge, and finally, they stopped at a hotel.

As Brett got out of the car, hotel staff greeted them warmly. He followed his mother, reaching only to his father's waist at seven years old. Looking up, he met his father's stern gaze.

His wrist sported a smartwatch, capable of making calls, so there was no need to worry if something came up. Besides, he was a mature adult in his mind; he could handle a little adventure.

With some loose cash in his pocket, Brett slipped out through the emergency exit, unnoticed by anyone.

Upon reaching the hotel entrance, he hailed a taxi. Many cab drivers ignored him, thinking he was just a kid, but after a while, one finally pulled over.

The driver rolled down the window and asked, "Kid, where are your parents?"

"At home," Brett answered without missing a beat.

The driver had never seen such a mature-minded kid and joked, "Aren't you scared, being so young and hailing a cab all by yourself?"

"Not at all," Brett said with a stare that held a depth of maturity unusual for his age. His eyes were calm and piercing. A brief look was one thing, but the longer the driver held his gaze, the more unnerved he felt, almost ready to drive off. However, Brett had already stepped forward and grabbed the rear car door handle.

With no other option, the driver agreed to take him. "Where to?" he asked as Brett climbed in.

"The Salotti estate," Brett announced. The Salotti family hadn't yet fallen on hard times, their wealth and ancestral home intact. Under Old Mr. Salotti's watch, the household wouldn't be squandered. This was the peak time for the Salotti Group, with its downfall still a few years away.

Judging by the kid's fancy clothes, the driver could tell he came from money. But living in that upscale neighborhood and taking a cab alone, without any supervision? Wasn't he afraid of being kidnapped for ransom?

Such thoughts crossed the driver's mind because of recent kidnapping cases in the area. Kids like Brett needed to be extra cautious when stepping out.

The driver wanted to offer some friendly advice to Brett, but seeing the boy's stern expression, he swallowed his words.

Brett watched the streets whiz by through the taxi window, making sure they weren't veering off course.

When they arrived, the driver pulled over, and Brett paid the fare in cash before stepping out onto the Salotti estate.