THE GENTLE STRANGER

As the prison gate slowly opened, Dorothy Florence looked up at the dazzling sky. She raised her hand to peep at the sun through her fingers, which made her believe that the warmth would eventually dispel the darkness.

She took a deep breath. The air of freedom which had been stripped of for three years almost moved her to tears.

"Dorothy, I'm here to pick you up."

A familiar voice sounded. Even if the woman had not heard it for long, she was able to find the source of the voice in no time.

Alan Shane opened his arms, as he did three years ago, waiting for her to rush over to him.

Behind his glasses, his eyes were reddened with a mix of excitement and guilt.

Dorothy quickly ran over to him.

She had missed his hug for three years!

Alan looked maturer. The smell of disinfectant on him was stronger than three years ago. And he had turned from an intern to a doctor.

Alan held her in his arms tightly. When he lowered his head, his tears trickled down his cheeks. "Sorry to put you through three-year hardships."

Dorothy shook her head and was too choked with emotion to speak.

She hated to recall what she had been through over the past three years. Now that she had regained her freedom, she wanted to let it go.

"Come on, let's go home."

Alan held Dorothy's hand tightly and walked with her shoulder to shoulder.

Dorothy nodded firmly. "Okay, let's go home."

An inconspicuous black Audi was parked not far away. A man in the backseat closed the window, saying coldly, "Let's go."

The driver answered, "Yes, Mr. Lee."

When the car slowly passed by Dorothy and Alan, the man in the backseat caught a glimpse of their smiles.