Chapter 10 - Chrysanthemum

Chapter 10 — Chrysanthemum Meaning: Joy, optimism, long life, fidelity.

The late afternoon sun slanted through the greenhouse panes, painting stripes of gold across the damp earth and the vibrant faces of the chrysanthemums. Lillian hummed a tuneless melody as she gently stroked the velvety petals of a deep crimson bloom, its scent a warm, earthy promise against the cooler air. She’d been tending to these particular flowers, coaxing them into their full glory, for weeks. They were her favourites for this time of year, a burst of defiant colour when the world outside began to fade.

Adrian appeared at the open doorway, his presence announced by the soft scuff of his shoes on the flagstone path. He held a small, woven basket, its contents hidden beneath a sprig of rosemary. He paused, watching her, a quiet observer in the fragrant, sun-drenched space. Lillian felt a familiar warmth bloom in her chest, a gentle counterpoint to the vibrant hues surrounding them.