All Too Late

not only a doctor but also a car designer. She personally designed this model.” Everyone was shocked.

Gemma, too, was stunned. Gizem’s the designer of the car. That’s why she chose to come here and

chose this particular car. “I’ve just received a call from the headquarters, Ms. Gizem. You can drive this

car away free of charge,” the shop assistant informed as he handed Gizem the keys. Gizem took the

keys and stared at Yareli impassively. At that moment, Yareli’s mouth was agape due to the shock she

was experiencing.

“I strongly suggest you read more to broaden your knowledge. Talking to people like you makes me feel

like I’m squandering my intelligence,” Gizem snidely said. “You!” Yareli squeaked; her lips were twitching

from the fury. Gizem, however, ignored her and jumped inside the car as she said to Gemma, “Get in. I’ll

take you for a drive.” “Sure thing,” Gemma squealed in delight as she climbed into the car. Gizem then

drove the car away. Yareli gritted her teeth. She peered at the car that was slowly vanishing from her line

of sight, a bitter glare building in her eyes. During their drive, Gemma was delighted as she commented,

“This car’s functionality is amazing.” Gizem smiled at that. She stopped the car when they passed a cake

shop. “What’s the matter?” Gemma asked curiously. “I kind of want to have some cake,” Gizem replied.

“My treat. To thank you for driving me around,” Gemma stated as she got out of the car.

“I want a strawberry-flavored one,” Gizem informed. Gemma froze in her steps before smiling lightly.

“Sure.” Meanwhile, Gizem was waiting for Gemma in the car. She enjoyed herself as she listened to the

music playing from her stereo. After some time, Gemma reappeared, holding a box of cake. She opened

the box, revealing a variety of cakes within it. Gizem took out the piece topped with strawberries. With

the tiny plastic fork in her hand, she pierced the strawberry and ate it first. Gemma was taken aback

momentarily by Gizem’s actions. “Do you always start with the strawberries?” “Yeah,” Gizem replied.

“Shouldn’t we always eat delicious things first? It’s somewhat like love, I think. It’s sort of like those

relationships that we know are bound to hurt us— Somehow, we manage to remember all the good parts

of it instead of the bad parts.” Gemma froze. Kathleen had said the exact same words in the past.

“What’s the matter?” Gizem looked at her in bewilderment. “Nothing. I just thought of a friend of mine,”

Gemma explained as she took a bite of the blueberry cake. “She likes strawberry cake too. And similarly,

she likes eating the strawberries first and even said the same things you did.” “You could always meet

her if you miss her,” Gizem suggested. “She… passed away,” Gemma said. After a slight pause, she

continued, “I heard that she had complications during labor and lost too much blood.” Shocked, Gizem

asked, “What about her children?”

“They’re still alive. You’ve met them,” Gemma said quietly. It then dawned on Gizem. “You mean Eil and

Desi’s mother?” Gemma nodded. “My friend was really kind and responsible. To be honest, I think she’d

probably still be alive if it weren’t for difficult labor.” “But maybe it was worth it for her. Sacrificing herself

for the sake of her two children, I mean,” said Gizem as she stopped forking her cake. Gemma merely

stared at her quietly. “I’d also nearly became a mother, but I lost my child in the end,” Gizem continued

lightly. Gemma was baffled. “You’re already married, Dr. Zabinski?” “Nope. He was just my boyfriend at

the time,” Gizem explained. “He passed away when I was pregnant. I didn’t expect the child to go with

him. The miscarriage was due to a car accident. Similarly, I lost too much blood, and paired with the

impact of the crash— I ended up losing my memories as well.” Gemma was shaken to the core as she

breathed, “Your experience is too traumatic.” “Yeah. The past was too painful. My heart aches each time

I try to think of my boyfriend at the time. I believe he’s trying to stop me from thinking about him, so I’ve

stopped. But life has been good this way— I no longer live in pain. Although I can’t remember the past, it

hasn’t really affected me in any way,” Gizem muttered. Gemma nodded understandingly. “You’re right.

It’s better not to think about the past if it’s that painful.” The two of them then chatted away amicably. “Dr.

Zabinski, would you be interested in taking part in a charity event?” Gemma asked. Gizem was

interested. “What is the event about?”

“It’s an event about caring for the autistic. We have an activity in two days and we kind of have a

shortage of staff. Do you want to join?” Gemma explained. “Sure.” Gizem nodded in agreement. “Great!

I’m sure this event will be even better with your participation,” Gemma exclaimed happily. After talking a

little more, Gizem sent Gemma home and drove back to the manor. Meanwhile, at Florinia Manor,

Samuel had just managed to get Desi to sleep. His phone rang as he walked into his study. With

furrowed brows, he answered, “Hello?” “It’s me, Samuel. Why didn’t you pick up when I called you using

my phone?” Yareli said anxiously. Yareli had borrowed another person’s phone. The current number was

someone else’s. “What is it?” Samuel asked impassively. “You have to get Gizem out of Florinia Manor,

Samuel!” Yareli exclaimed. Warily, she continued, “That woman is bad news. She’s got herself mixed up

with several different men. I can send you pictures as proof.” Samuel remained unfazed.

“Do you have too much time on your hands?” Why should he care about how many men Gizem had

dated in the past? “You’ll understand after seeing the pictures, Samuel. The woman is a bad influence for

Desi,” Yareli insisted.