Some days later, Silas prepared to leave his house, feeling a bit bored of staying indoors. He climbed into the driver's seat of his car, started the engine, and drove off toward the company.
Meanwhile, at Rains Florist Shop, Lucy had gathered her coworkers to announce her departure. She explained that she wouldn't be working at the shop anymore because she was moving back home to live with her aunt. Keeping the explanation short, she simply mentioned that her aunt had missed her and wanted her back.
Her colleagues were deeply saddened by the news and had secretly planned a farewell. Simeon, Ruth, and Francis stepped forward, holding parting gifts for her.
"I'm going to miss you dearly, Lucy. I'm so sorry I don't have anything special to give you," Ruth said apologetically. She wore her usual glasses and a apron, her black dark hair tied neatly in a bun.
Lucy smiled warmly. "I'll miss you too, Ruth."
"Aww," Ruth beamed as Simeon stepped up next.
"I have something for you, Lucy," Simeon said, catching her attention as he handed over a gift bag containing a pair of headphones and an expensive bottle of women's perfume.
"Thank you so much, Simeon! This means the world to me," Lucy said gratefully. Simeon smiled, his face dotted with light freckles, happy to see her appreciation.
"It's nothing much," he replied.
Next, Francis stepped forward with another gift bag. "I have something for you, too, Francis said handing Lucy the gift package, inside is a new, specially designed water bottle.
"Thank you, Francis. I'm so grateful," Lucy said, beaming.
Everyone was smiling and happy. Francis pulled Lucy into a tight hug, playfully faking a tear.
"I'll miss you all so much," Lucy said, her eyes shining. They all shared a group hug, making it a beautiful, memorable final day at the flower shop.
Hoxton Apartments
That evening, back at Hoxton Apartments, Elsa and Lucy were busy preparing dinner when someone knocked on the door. Peering through the peephole, Elsa recognized Miss Spain—a woman in her early fifties holding a package bag—accompanied by Mr. Wells, a tall man also carrying a gift package. Knowing them as neighbors from down the hall, Elsa unlocked the door.
"Oh, Elsa," Miss Spain began. "We're here to see Lucy."
"Please wait a second," Elsa replied, they nodded before closing the door halfway. She turned inside. "Lucy, Miss Spain is here to see you."
"Miss Spain?" Lucy repeated, curious.
Stepping to the door, Lucy greeted them politely. "Good evening, Miss Spain and Mr. Wells."
Miss Spain and Mr. Wells both smiled warmly. "Good evening, dear."
Elsa stood nearby, watching with growing curiosity.
"Mr. Wells mentioned to me that you're leaving to live with your family, and I'm so happy to hear you meet them," Miss Spain said.
"Thank you, Miss Spain," Lucy replied.
"We're really going to miss you, Lucy," Mr. Wells added, looking genuinely sad to see her go.
"We got you something," Miss Spain said, handing over a package bag.
Lucy shook her head, trying to refuse politely. "Oh, you really didn't have to—"
"No, I insisted," Mr. Wells interrupted gently. "You're such a wonderful girl. Please accept this small parting gift from us."
Seeing their sincere kindness, Lucy accepted the bags. "Thank you both so much. I'm very grateful for this; it means a lot."
Miss Spain and Mr. Wells beamed. In truth, Miss Spain—a widow—held a special fondness for Lucy because Lucy had often helped her carry heavy groceries and brought her healthy, supportive drinks. Mr. Wells, too, simply admired Lucy's polite and kind demeanor.
Just a few days prior, Mr. Wells had run into Lucy in the hallway. He had invited her to his upcoming birthday party, only for Lucy to decline because she was moving away. When he expressed surprise that she had family—having known both her and Elsa as orphans—Lucy had explained that she had finally reconnected with her aunt.
Now, as the neighbors said their goodbyes and hugged Lucy warmly before leaving, Elsa stood quietly by the door. Watching the interaction, a quiet pang of sadness hit her. Lucy possessed a natural, gentle warmth—complete with kind green eyes that instantly drew people in, in a good way. It seemed like everyone loved Lucy, which only served to highlight Elsa's own isolation. Nobody ever brought her gifts or checked in on her like that.
Inside the apartment, Lucy eagerly opened her gifts. Mr. Wells had gifted her a stunning pair of blue canvas shoes, while Miss Spain gave her a beautiful Queen Anne halter dress.
"Wow, this is gorgeous!" Lucy exclaimed, holding up the dress.
Elsa looked over from the kitchen, admitting that the dress and shoes were indeed lovely. "That is very nice of them."
"It really is," Lucy smiled, slipping her feet into the canvas shoes. They fit her perfectly, stretching comfortably to her size.
Feeling a sudden wave of melancholy and wanting to avoid dwelling on her lack of attention, Elsa turned back toward the kitchen. "The shoes look great, Lucy. I need to go serve dinner now anyway—I'm starving."
"Me too," Lucy replied happily, admiring her new shoes. Thinking to herself, Lucy even considered giving Elsa the Queen Anne dress, seeing as she had already received so many wonderful things from Simeon, Francis, Miss Spain, and Mr. Wells.
Elsa dished out bowls of steamy, delicious spaghetti with meat sauce. As she sat down and blew on her food, Lucy joined her at the table, her expression radiating pure happiness.
"How did they even know you were leaving?" Elsa asked curiously, realizing she hadn't mentioned it to the neighbors.
"Mr. Wells invited me to his birthday party next month, and when I told him I couldn't come because I was moving, word just got around," Lucy explained before taking a bite of her meal.
"Oh," Elsa murmured, retreating into silence. She didn't feel like talking much, weighed down by a quiet ache of loneliness.
Lucy noticed Elsa's quiet demeanor but didn't press, instead cheerfully chattering about their old times at the diner shop as they ate their dinner together in peace.