Rose finally made up her mind and went to Nancy's room, her steps hesitant but determined.
"What if we go to William's hometown again? Maybe this time we'll find something useful," she muttered, her words laced with frustration. She stirred in her sleep before slowly opening her eyes, catching sight of her friend, who seemed determined not to give up on her.
Nancy gathered her thoughts, choosing her words carefully. Calmly, she walked toward Rose and guided her gently to the bed. She studied Rose's dazed expression, and for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine the depth of pain her friend was carrying.
"Rose, I understand you completely," Nancy said softly, her voice steady. "I introduced you to him, and I'm telling you now… you need to stop torturing yourself. This is driving you crazy, and I don't like seeing you like this."
Rose shook her head, her voice trembling. "Yes, you introduced William to me. And yes, I expected you to never give up on him, just like you never gave up on your friends. Remember that."
Nancy sighed, a shadow passing over her face. "Yes, he was my friend… but he chose to disappear without a trace. We can't continue living like this, not with this behavior of yours. Not with this obsession."
She wanted to tell Rose everything she had discovered over the past months, all the painful truths and hidden hopes, but she couldn't. All she could do was hope that Rose would find a way to move on especially now, with others showing interest in her.
Rose's voice hardened, tinged with bitterness. "You know what? Fine. Maybe I shouldn't have come here this morning. I guess you're in a bad mood." She refused to look at Nancy.
"Rose, don't say that! I'm only trying to help. Sit, please… let's talk. I'm telling you nothing but the truth," Nancy urged, frustration creeping into her tone.
"You're trying to help? And you're telling me the truth? Is that really how you see this, Nan?" Rose's voice cracked as tears threatened to spill. She didn't need anyone to tell her she had spent the night crying over him.
Nancy reached out, her hand trembling slightly. "Please… calm down. Let's talk."
"You know what?" Rose's voice grew louder, bitter and raw. "Maybe I should be blaming you, Nancy. I was fine on my own. I had peace of mind until you brought William into my life, suggesting I… care for him. And then I fell in love deeply and he vanished for Three years! Three years, Nan! And now you stand there, telling me… what? Rubbish?"
Her chest heaved with emotion as she pressed her hands against it, her eyes glistening with tears she could no longer hide. Nancy was left speechless, caught between words and helplessness.
"If I've never told you this before… maybe I should now," Rose said slowly, her voice trembling but fierce. She closed her eyes, gathering the courage to speak her heart.
"I love William with every fiber of my being. I love him more than I ever thought possible. And I will go to any length to find him… to understand why he left me without a word."
"But Rose…"
"No, Nancy. No. I deserve answers. Three years… that's not three days. We're going back to his hometown. That's it."
Without another word, she stamped toward the door and left, leaving Nancy frozen in the room,