"It's a fact. Keilani returned just a few days ago," Bettie asserted firmly.

Bettie sighed, sounding somewhat bewildered. “Sabrina, what am I supposed to do?"

Bettie pondered whether she should end things with Lance. She appeared hesitant. Yet, she couldn't quite make herself fully committed to Lance.

"Do you still have feelings for Lance?"

After a brief silence, Bettie whispered, "Yeah... I do."

Bettie realized how difficult it would be to find someone as supportive as Lance.

"The future is uncertain and decisions can't be rushed. Since you still care about him, why not let time decide?"

"Wait until he returns?"

"Yeah, these days, relationships have many shapes. Marriage isn't the only choice. If you care about him, enjoy the moment."

There was a pause on the call and then Bettie’s tone suddenly perked up. "Just like you and Tyrone, right?"

"Kind of. See, you and Lance had a wedding, so to everyone else, you're a couple. It's natural to stay together, right? To outsiders, Lance is an orphan. If you have a child, it's normal for them to take your name and inherit the family business. When Lance goes back to Philade, think of it like a work trip. If he never returns, just consider him gone. Basically, don't go to Philade or fret about Keilani and the others."

“Sabrina, you seem pretty wise these days."

Sabrina chuckled and grabbed a potato. "I've learned a lot. There is no use dwelling on love. Just live in the moment and let the future unfold."

“So, what if Tyrone passed away now? What then?"

“What did you say?" Sabrina had not caught the question.

“I said, if Tyrone died now, what would you do?"

"If Tyrone died..." Sabrina paused to think and replied, "I'd organize his funeral, shed some tears, and then move forward with my life."

“Would you be sad?"

"I think in the past, I would have been devastated, maybe even thought about dying alongside him. But now, I might feel a bit sad, considering how much I've liked him over the years, but I wouldn't let it dictate my future anymore."

“Can I ask you something? When Tyrone was with Galilea, did you ever consider trying to win him over?"