TRAILS OF THE HEART
Every great story begins with either a wish or a longing for something never seen. We've heard countless tales of great heroes and mighty kings. Some stories begin with regret, others with magic—but in the end, it is always the strong who remain.
It was a cold and stormy day. Not like the other days.
The wind was sharp, the thunder loud, and something about the air felt different. Walsvile had never felt like this before. It had always been colorful and joyful, a town where laughter echoed through the streets and neighbors shared meals together like one perfect little family.
The women of Walsvile were known for one thing above all else—they were fiercely protective and endlessly proud of their daughters. It had always been one of the town's greatest unspoken rules: as long as there were no fights, no bitterness, and no broken bonds, the town would remain happy.
And for many years, it did.
All the daughters of Walsvile grew up like sisters. They laughed together, walked the same roads, and shared every secret.
But everything changed when he arrived.
The town slowly grew distant. Conversations became whispers. The daughters no longer spoke the way they used to. Parents held their children closer than before, and suddenly the peace that once defined Walsvile began to crumble.
Everything became chaos.
And there was nothing anyone could do to turn back time.
Henry E. Grant.
A man who had always believed himself to be perfect.
And perhaps he had reason to. He had the title, the status, and the attention of nearly every lady in town. Tall and fair-skinned, always dressed neatly in tailored jackets, he carried himself with effortless confidence. His eyes were a striking blue, his hair a deep brown, and many believed he was the finest man Walsvile had ever seen.
I still remember the first time he said hello to me.
I had never felt happier.
In that moment, I believed the world had chosen me.
But now…
Now all I want is to leave the town I once held closest to my heart. The mere mention of his name sends a shiver through me—not the warm kind, but the kind that fills you with fear.
Because the one person I once treasured the most…
Was the very one who broke me in the end.
He once made me believe my heart was made of precious rubies—rare and unbreakable.
Yet he was the one who shattered them.
And now…
I don't know if they can ever be put back together again.