After a pause, Marcus' voice softened. "Believe it or not, there was a time I truly despised you."

"Really? And you feel you have the right to?" Melissa retorted with a sneer.

Marcus responded with a weary smile, lighting a cigarette. “It started the first year after you left.”

He had tried to find her but to no avail.

The thought of giving up often crossed his mind, yet every time he saw someone resembling Melissa, hope flickered anew.