Time, like an unending river, slowly carried away past bitterness and washed over life's imprints. In a calm and peaceful existence, Isabelle LeBlanc gradually emerged from her past pain. The shadows that once clung to her heart, like a thin morning mist, slowly dissipated under the sun of time. She was no longer scorched by the fires of revenge, nor did she wallow in past resentment. Instead, a sense of peace, called letting go, settled upon her. She married a man who was equally kind and upright, a partner who knew how to cherish and protect her. Their union, though not tumultuous, nourished each other's hearts like a clear spring. He gave Isabelle not just a warm embrace, but understanding and acceptance.
Their family was warm and full of life. The children, like tender shoots in early spring, grew up healthy and happy, nurtured by love. Their innocent smiles and clear, bright eyes were Isabelle's greatest comfort. Whenever she saw them playing carefree, or heard their silvery laughter, Isabelle felt genuine happiness. She learned how to love, how to give, and how to find joy in a simple life. The scars of the past, though still present, no longer pained her; instead, they became unique patterns in her life, reminding her to cherish every moment. Her days were filled with the small details and warmth of family life; the daily grind, laughter, and joy formed her new world. She even began volunteering in the community, using her experiences to help those in need, transforming past pain into positive power. She deeply knew that true healing wasn't forgetting, but learning to reconcile with the past and then moving forward.
Oliver's Journey of Penitence
Meanwhile, Oliver Smith spent long, dark years within the prison walls. Life behind bars, like an unforgiving carving knife, left deep imprints on him. His former spirited arrogance, his past life of dissipation, all evaporated in the face of cold reality. He was forced to confront his past crimes, deeply reflecting on the destruction gambling brought him and the irreparable harm he caused Isabelle LeBlanc. Each day and night in prison was an interrogation of his soul. He often repented alone in the dead of night, heartbroken by the foolish things he had done and the wrong path he had taken. That regret, like a shadow, gnawed at his core. He remembered Isabelle's despairing gaze, how he had personally destroyed her life. Each recollection was like a knife, carving a new wound in his heart.
He began reading books, seeking solace and redemption in their words. He read stories about karma, forgiveness, and salvation. These stories pained him, but also made him ponder the meaning of life. He was no longer the young man who only pursued thrills and money; the harshness of prison had taught him contemplation and self-reflection. He began to realize that his former "freedom" was actually a false illusion, a slavery to desire. And now, despite being imprisoned, his spirit had, in some ways, gained true freedom—freedom from the shackles of gambling addiction, a struggle out of the mire of self-deception. He started keeping a diary, recording his thoughts and feelings, trying to sort through the chaotic and painful emotions. In those dense scribblings, there was deep repentance for the past, along with confusion and yearning for the future.
A New Beginning in the City
After his release, Oliver Smith was like someone forgotten by the world. The world beyond the high walls was familiar yet strange; everything he once had was gone. He had lost his former dreams; grand blueprints of career and success had long since crumbled within the prison walls. He had lost his former love; Isabelle had already married and found her own happiness. He had lost his former dignity; society's labels for him were "convict" and "gambler." He was alone, doing odd jobs in the city's dark corners, barely surviving. Washing dishes, carrying heavy loads, cleaning—these jobs he once disdained were now his only means of survival. Each bend, each bead of sweat, was like paying off past debts. He dared not return to Evans Village, knowing he could not face those who once cared for him, and even less Isabelle, whom he had hurt the most. Guilt and shame, like two towering mountains, weighed him down, making it hard to breathe.
He lived on the outskirts of the city, in a simple rented room with almost no decoration—just a bed, a table, and a few old clothes. At night, the city's clamor seemed unrelated to him; he often curled up in bed, feeling an unprecedented loneliness. This loneliness was more suffocating than the prison walls, because he knew he had caused it himself. He had thought countless times about starting over, but each attempt felt like hitting an invisible wall. He felt despair, he felt lost, as if he were in an endless darkness. His former friends had long gone their separate ways; his family had distanced themselves because of his downfall. He became an invisible person on the fringes of society, as if he had never existed.
The Turning Point
However, a turn of fate often hides in the most unexpected corners. By chance, Oliver Smith saw a flyer for a gambling addiction support group on the street. That flyer, so ordinary amidst the bustling crowd, was like a faint light, piercing the darkness within him. The words on the flyer, without elaborate language, simply stated: "You are not fighting alone." This sentence was like a key, gently unlocking his long-sealed heart.
He hesitated for a long time. Self-respect, fear, mistrust—various complex emotions intertwined in his heart. He was afraid to face his weaknesses, afraid of being mocked again, afraid that the labels of "gambler" would be brought up once more. But the inner yearning, the craving for redemption and a new life, ultimately overcame all fears. He mustered his courage, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to the support group.
There, he met many people with similar experiences. There were former successful entrepreneurs, ordinary wage earners, housewives, and even former homeless people. They came from different backgrounds but were united by the same demon—gambling addiction. In the group, there was no blame, no criticism, only understanding and support. Everyone confided in each other, encouraged each other, and collectively fought against the recurring onslaught of gambling addiction. Oliver Smith gradually opened up, telling his story, from his childhood insecurities to the excitement of his first encounter with gambling, then how he slowly fell into the abyss until he was imprisoned. Each telling was like self-healing, releasing the pain suppressed deep in his heart.
He actively participated in rehabilitation activities, learning skills to cope with gambling addiction, recognizing the triggers that caused his addiction, and striving to find healthy alternatives. He began volunteering, helping others out of their predicament. He learned meditation to calm his inner self. He even started trying to write, putting his experiences into words, hoping to warn others. With the help of the support group, Oliver Smith regained his self-worth and dignity. He discovered that even if he hit rock bottom, as long as he had the courage to face it and the faith to persevere, he could still find a path to rebirth. This path was long and challenging, but he was no longer alone. He learned to forgive himself and began to believe that perhaps one day, he could also receive forgiveness from those he had hurt.