WHEN LOVE HEALS

"When Love Heals" is the English translation of the Thai novella "Duang Jai Khong Ma Prot", which explores the theme of an uncle and his illegitimate niece.

In this story, Parker Callahan, the hero, has long harbored feelings for Lydia Harris, the girl next door. After a painful breakup caused by her boyfriend's betrayal, Lydia returns home feeling heartbroken. Seizing the opportunity, Parker steps in to offer her comfort and care. His gentle and affectionate nature makes Lydia's heart flutter, especially since his warmth and charm stand in stark contrast to her previous experiences. How could she not be moved and find solace in his embrace? Join us as their story unfolds.

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He was the neighbor she once called "uncle," the man who reached out to help her when she was weak.

She was the mischievous girl who had disappeared for so long.

Now that they've reunited, he'll make sure she never leaves his side again.

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"When Love Heals" is another uncle-niece romance, but this one stands apart from anything Priyada has written before-it's truly a story about love.

Parker, our hero, has been secretly in love with his young neighbor, Lydia, for years. When she returns home heartbroken after a painful breakup, Parker seizes the opportunity to care for her. His warmth and gentle nature begin to melt her fragile heart. With Parker's relentless pursuit of her love, how can she resist falling for him?

Don't miss this heartwarming story-stay tuned!

Lydia Harris arrived at Joe's condo, a place she had become familiar with through countless visits. Regularly, she would come by to see him, and Joe had even given her a spare key card, a gesture of his trust and affection. However, today felt different.

As Lydia walked into the room, nobody was inside. The room, which was usually alive with Joe's presence-whether he was lounging in the living room corner watching TV, playing games, or sitting at the desk beside her while he worked-was eerily still. Her heart raced with concern. What was happening? Where was Joe?

She heard a noise coming from the bedroom and, driven by worry, she made her way towards it. As she reached for the bedroom door, her heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

When Lydia opened the door, her breath caught in her throat. The sight before her was a devastating shock.

In bed, she found a man and a woman sleeping naked. The man's face was pale with a pained expression, while the woman, despite her attempt to cover herself with a blanket, wore a look of unrestrained satisfaction. The woman was Olivia, Lydia's close friend.

With a voice choked with disbelief and hurt, Lydia managed to utter, "What... is this?" Her usually sweet voice trembled, wavering on the edge of tears as she whispered, "Joe... why?"

"Lydia, it's not what you think," Joe blurted out, scrambling to his feet. He hastily snatched up a towel from the floor and clumsily wrapped it around himself.

At that moment, Lydia's ears rang with a deafening noise, drowning out any words she might have spoken. Every word he said felt like just another lie-how could it be anything else when the evidence was right there before her eyes?

"Lydia, I'm sorry," Joe murmured, reaching for her hand with a desperate grip, his eyes filled with guilt. But his apology did nothing to ease the ache in Lydia's heart.

The tears Lydia had been holding back finally broke free, as if the entire world had crumbled around her. She turned and bolted from the room, her heart shattering with the agony and regret of being betrayed by the person she loved most, her closest friend. She had no idea what to do next, but one thing was certain-she could never trust Joe again.

Lydia was completely drenched, rain pouring down relentlessly despite the rain gear. Water streamed off her sneakers, and her entire body felt cold and numb. Exhausted from trudging through the endless darkness, her steps grew slower and heavier.

A sweet voice, trembling with pain, escaped from her lips as she whispered to herself, "I have to get home before I fall apart." She knew that once she was inside, she could regain control over herself. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the haunting memory of what she had witnessed.

Her fiancé had betrayed her, not just with anyone, but with her best friend-her bridesmaid. The situation couldn't have been worse if it had merely been a rumor. But she had seen it with her own eyes, the undeniable truth laid bare before her. No excuse could ever justify what they had done.

Worse than the regret was the crushing feeling of being a fool-betrayed by the person she trusted most. How long had she been a joke to them? The thought gnawed at her, making the pain even sharper.

Now Lydia understood why Joe had become so emotional-why he had been so erratic and preoccupied. It was not because of her; it was because he had someone else. His love for her had been nothing but a facade, driven by self-interest rather than genuine affection. Anger and sadness intertwined within her, leaving her feeling like a fool deceived by the illusion of love. She had genuinely believed that Joe would be a good life partner.

Lydia had known Joe since their high school days. They both managed to attend the same university, though they were in different faculties. With both far from home, they moved into dormitories. Lydia didn't have many close friends yet, so Joe was always the first person she turned to. As they approached their final year, Joe confessed his desire to take their relationship from friendship to something more. Lydia was thrilled and excited but also unsure, feeling that she might be too young for such a commitment. Joe, understanding her hesitation, didn't push for an immediate answer. Instead, they both took their time, trying to navigate their evolving feelings for each other.

Their relationship was not a secret; their families were well acquainted with each other. When Lydia graduated, their families suggested that they get engaged as a first step. At the time, Lydia had no objections and welcomed the idea, believing it was the natural progression of their relationship.

After that, Lydia enrolled in a short course and spent an additional year studying language. She had originally planned to pursue a master's degree, but when her mother fell ill, she returned to Thailand to care for her during her final days. Joe was always by her side, offering encouragement and support. Lydia interpreted his kindness as a sign of true love, and her heart accepted him completely. After her mother passed away peacefully, Lydia and Joe began planning their wedding.

Thinking back on it, Lydia laughed bitterly, mocking her own fate and naivety. She had trusted too easily, and that trust had come back to haunt her. But now, her eyes were open, and she saw the world-and the people in it-with a newfound clarity.

Joe never truly wanted her; she had overestimated his intentions. All the kindness and support he showed were merely part of his plan to use her for his own ends. He had other goals in mind, and she was just a pawn in his game.

The accumulated pressure and stress overwhelmed her, causing her to retch once more. But this time, nothing came out-only air from her empty stomach. She hadn't eaten anything since she had stormed out, too consumed by pain to even think about food.

As Lydia bent down, all she could see were her sneakers, soaked and caked with mud from the relentless rain. The nausea threatened to return, but she fought it off, her brow furrowing with a swirl of confused emotions. She tried to ground herself in the present moment, to focus on anything but the haunting image of those two naked bodies that replayed endlessly in her mind.

"Do you need help?" a deep voice called out through the darkness, cutting through the sound of the rain as the headlights of a car illuminated the drenched girl. The voice struck her ears, pulling her out of her spiraling thoughts.

Lydia looked up, squinting slightly against the glare of the headlights. A black pickup truck was parked nearby, and she blinked as a man got out and ran toward her. They were standing at an interprovincial bus stop, dimly lit by a few dull neon lights. The man was tall and slender, with broad shoulders-someone who seemed capable of handling anything that came his way. As he approached, Lydia, through a veil of tears, recognized something familiar in his face. It was so familiar that she instinctively lifted the back of her hand to wipe away her tears, desperate to see him clearly.

"Lydia?"

Not only did his face strike a chord of recognition, but his voice also resonated deeply within her. Lydia tilted her head, her brow furrowing in confusion. She was so disoriented that the man's name slipped her mind, leaving her to grapple with the unsettling familiarity of the moment.

"I'm Parker," the young man said softly as he stepped closer, gently supporting her trembling body. "Do you remember me? I lived in the house next to yours."

" Parker..."

The name was deeply etched in Lydia's memory. She closed her eyes, and a vivid image from her childhood resurfaced-she saw herself as a small child, climbing over the low fence that separated her home from the neighboring house, which was surrounded by a sprawling farm.

The man moved closer, so near that Lydia could feel the height and the quiet, undeniable strength radiating from him. His presence was solid and reassuring, a stark contrast to the overwhelming fragility she felt inside.

"Yes," the young man confirmed, shaking his wet hair out of his eyes. "What are you doing out here? Do you want me to take you home?"