This part is four days after Adrien speaks to Marinette and tells her the truth about Lilac. It was also the day, he told her he wanted to be with her. The day, he felt crushed as he was shouted at to go.

 Adrien's POV:

   I know it has been four days, but why? I do not understand it. Why did Marinette push me away? Had I done something to offend her?

    I hoped not. I sighed. I thought she would be happy I was ready to be with her.

    I  sobbed. I left my house to tend to the small patches of moss I had planted along the bottom parts of the fence. I knew there must be some reason she did not trust me. Why? I loved her.

     I loved her and she had made me go.

    I sighed as I finished watering the moss. Life was even more complicated now that Marinette was upset with me.

   I  stood up and unlocked the shed. I smiled. It looked rather nice. I  added a few more touches to it and closed it back. I locked it and entered the apartment. I know it was big for only me. I may own the whole building, but I rented out the sixth and seventh floors to a few people. This way with the rent money, I did not need to concern myself about no money from my father. I went to my room, it was on the second floor.

 I got ready for work. I headed to my job with a heavy heart. I did not say a word about what happened to anyone else.

    The others were sympathetic enough. They could tell I was sad. 

      Meanwhile, Marinette held Glinda close. She was glad for the kitten's company. It has been rather quiet for her since she sent Adrien away.  It was a bit harsh, but what else was she to do?  She could not let him pursue her. She must not let him. 

     No, he had to stay away. It was best this way. She tried to deny the feeling that she had made a mistake in not letting him stay.

       "Marinette's Flashback..."

        I  was in the alleyway as usual. I had gotten used to this life. It was not that good, but I had to remain here. I could not leave mother in her illness and father was worse than ever. I had woken up to a few more glass shards in my back.

      The pain was a harsh reminder of my reality. I was the daughter of a drunk, a gambler, and I would never amount to anything. 

         I stood there not saying a word to anyone. I was too afraid to speak.

     I saw Mother wince in pain. I saw her shiver and heard her cough get louder. I knew she was getting worse and feared I would lose her soon. What would I do without her?

       I gasped when someone headed our way. No one ever came out to the slums, so why should this time be different?  I looked up as he stepped forward.

    I saw he wore some rich boy clothes, oh, he must be of high society, I thought.

      "Please, help, it is my mother, she is sick. Please help me!" I yelled. I did not know why I had done it. Father would be angry, I was not supposed to speak to the rich folks.

        The boy stopped and tried to help.  Father yelled at him.

  Mother died, and I was caught up in my sorrow and pain. One so great, that I feared I would never be able to love. I swore I would take care of myself, even if it meant I had to push everyone else away. 

   I went with the boy despite my father's protest. We became friends and he was great. Why did he try to change all that anyway?  Couldn't he see, that we were better off without each other? I was a poor girl and he was rich. I could not bring him down to my level.

     No, I had to make him leave. I  could not get close to him. I just couldn't. I knew he would never understand.

   I  overheard him and his father argue. I could not ruin things for him. I wouldn't.

    I recall how his mother and sister seemed to want me to be with him. Well, too bad, I am sorry to disappoint you ladies, but I am nothing. I am a peasant girl. I have a job, but I have nothing to my name. I have nothing for me to offer him.

     I saw a small box outside his home. I opened it and saw things that said they used to belong to Lilac. I could never compare to her. I could not be the girl he wanted.

      " End of Flashback..."

I recall that my mother gave birth while she was ill, and I was happy for a short moment.

   I had a sister, Margaret Ann. Only, she died two weeks later. She could not survive the streets. I lost her then, lost mother.  I did not think I could stand it if anyone else I loved died. 

  Father was dead, but I doubted I ever truly loved him. How could I? He had ruined our lives. It was his fault we found ourselves homeless in the first place. It was his fault mother had gotten ill, and we could not afford a proper doctor. I despised him for it. I did not trust men. Not in the way most women would. 

      I saw the way Adrien was with his sister. I knew he was kind to her and to me as well. I could not return his love because to do so I would lose myself. I refused to do that. I saw how Mother had done that for Father and look what had happened to her.

     Little did I know, I had already fallen in love with him. 

I sat in my chair stroking Glinda and sipping some tea. Why did I feel so bad about the look he gave me when he left?  I could not get his face with the tears out of my mind. 

       I set Glinda down, glad she had already eaten. I ran outside and took my keys with me. I shut the door and locked it.

       I ran to the graveyard and saw it. I gasped. When did this happen? I looked at the grave marker in surprise. It read Sabine Louise Dupain-Cheng, beloved wife, and mother. It also showed my mother's birthday and the day she died on it.  How? 

       Father had told me she was not going to be buried because we could not afford it.

         I looked beside the marker and saw two more. The second one read Margaret Ann. It showed her birthday and death dates as well. It also read, "Beloved daughter, and sister. Her life was short, but she was loved."

        The last marker read, "Thomas Henry Dupain-Cheng, beloved husband and father." It showed the dates of his birth and death. A  small flower was etched in the corner of all three markers. 

          I sobbed. Someone had taken care of all of their burials I never knew. Someone had been here recently too. I knew because there was a daisy on my sister's grave, a rose on the one for my mother, and a single daffodil on my father's grave. 

    "I do not understand. I was sure their bodies had been cremated like the rest of those who died in the alley," I said. 

     I heard someone stand up. I turned around and saw Adrien standing there looking at me.

    "Marinette?" He said his voice was full of sympathy. "A-Adrien?" I spoke.

       He came to me and wrapped his arms around me. I did not push him away this time.

           "Mari," He whispered. He kissed my cheek as he had four days ago. I did not say a word, I cried and let him hold me.

             When I did speak, I said, "I am sorry, Adrien, I am sorry." 

  The story continues in Chapter 16

   Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!

*Author's note: Who buried Marinette's parents, and sister? Who took care of their graves?  

Chapter edited a little 5-20-2024