CHAPTER 82: REPLACED

Violet recalled from her memory how the camera looked and tried to match it when searching the stores in human land.

Although Lydia let her know how the camera was an old model and would be difficult to find, Violet felt determined to find it.

Since Violet was responsible for breaking it, she should pay for it. However, her penniless self could only borrow money from Damian, subsequently asking him to transfer the amount.

"I am only troubling you, Lydia. You don’t have to help me. I can do it on my own," Violet expressed. She felt guilty about tagging Lydia around.

Lydia shook her head. "Someone needs to keep an eye on you."

Violet smiled and felt even more heavy-hearted. Lydia had a quarrel with Lucas to the point she cried. However, instead of having a moment to herself, she had Violet dragging her around.

"Stop letting those nonsensical thoughts run in your head," Lydia spoke out, "going around like this will distract my mind as well."

Just as how Lydia predicted, they went around many stores, but none of them held the exact model of camera Violet wanted. According to them, this was discontinued and couldn’t be found.

"Get another model of camera," Lydia said, "as long as it is a camera, it shouldn’t matter."

Violet hung her head low.

Should she give up her search and pick a similar looking camera?

A sigh left her lips.

But then, when she raised her head, her eyes brightened up when she noticed a camera on the display.

It looked exactly the same as the one Sylas had.

"Found it," Violet cheerily expressed, holding Lydia’s hand and entering the vintage store.

The old man working in the store greeted them.

Violet reached out for the camera in the display and brought it to the counter.

"Can I buy it, Sir?" Violet asked— her hazel eyes expectant. "I am willing to pay anything."

The old man stared at the camera with nostalgia in his eyes.

"This camera belonged to my son. He enjoyed photography a lot. However, circumstances pushed him to join the military as a soldier."

There were tears in the old man’s eyes. He wiped them away with his sleeves.

"Unfortunately, he didn’t return alive from his first military expedition. He died from bombing. I just placed it on the display, so that it would be under my eyes always. I didn’t think this would catch your fancy, young lady."

Violet loosened her hold on the camera. It seemed the camera held deep meaning to the old man. Her expression wilted.

Lydia brought up, "I understand. You must be very attached to the camera. However, is it possible for you to consider our situation and allow us to buy it? My friend here is very desperate."

Violet noticed the difficulty on the old man’s face.

"My friend had a very precious camera. It means to him just like how this camera means to you. But I broke it. That’s why, I wanted to buy this camera to replace it.

However, it can never replace the real thing, right? It will only be devaluing this precious camera for both you and my friend." There was a soft smile on Violet’s face.

The old man sighed. "You must care for your friend a lot."

Violet nodded.

Then, the old man pushed the camera on the table towards Violet. "You can have the camera. However, in return, your friend has to take good care of it. You can’t break it this time, alright?"

Violet stared at the old man in surprise.

He smiled and stated, "I have no other children, and my wife passed away as well. I am one lonely old man, and once I pass away, this camera will probably be discarded.

It is better off being at the hands of someone who will treasure it. I am sure my son will want that as well."

Violet’s eyes immediately teared up at his words. After the whole day of running around, both her stomach and legs hurt. She was both mentally and physically exhausted. Finally, it seemed her desperation met some relief.

She profusely thanked him and sincerely promised to take good care of the camera.

After that, she exchanged a few more words with him and let him know how she will be visiting in the future.

Once she was out of his store, Violet’s legs gave in. She leaned against the wall and said, "I can not walk anymore."

"I will drive the car over here," Lydia offered.

Violet shook her head and stood up straight. "It’s alright. I can take a few more steps."

After that, Violet followed Lydia to the car and sat down. Under the cool air conditioning, she could feel more of her spirits returning.

However, thinking about how she had to return to the house and confront Sylas made Violet feel nervous. Although she purchased the camera, there was no saying whether Sylas would accept it.

Violet leaned her head on Lydia’s shoulder and commented, "We are both depressed souls. Shouldn’t we do something exciting?"

"Aren’t you in a hurry to gift the camera to Alpha?" Lydia pointed out.

Violet sighed. "I need adequate mental preparation for that."

"Alpha won’t get mad at you. If he wanted to hold you responsible, he would’ve done it earlier," Lydia expressed.

Even though in Violet’s mind she felt like she owed Sylas a lot, Lydia knew it was the opposite.

"That’s because Alpha is nice," Violet voiced out, "I destroyed Luna Julia’s camera. He should want to torture me to death."

"What do you want to do?" Lydia asked.

Violet pulled her lips into a thin line and thought for a while.

"Let’s go to a club. It’s a loud and vibrant place. It should ease up my nerves, and then, I can properly think about how to approach Alpha," Violet commented.

"I will take you back to the house." Lydia immediately turned her down.

"Lydia, please. Do you want to go and see Lucas as well, having fun with Stella?"