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Chapter 17 - The vase and the feathers

Nicole arrived home, and his rage had pierced through the seventh sky.

He threw his bag on the sofa, but the bag had other plans.

It flew straight toward the flower vase, struck it,

and in a single moment

the vase shattered into pieces.

Nicole's eyes widened in horror,

his mouth open, frozen in place,

still processing the disaster.

Just then, Hazel walked in.

She saw the shattered vase

her expression stuck somewhere between anger and amusement.

She rushed up to him, her arms crossed,

her face the perfect mix of fake fury and mischievous affection.

"If I don't see a brand-new flower vase here by tomorrow evening…

then tomorrow...you'll be the one standing here holding flowers like a vase! Got it?"

With a playful glare and a teasing smile, she walked off.

She knew very well

he fought with God every single day.

---

The next morning

Yes. Again.

Another banana peel.

That same woman flung it...right on Nicole's shoulder.

But this time he saw her.

He scolded her like a true warrior.

Then, proud of his small victory, he marched to the store and bought a new vase.

But on his way back…

His foot struck a stone

the bag slipped from his hands

and yes…

The new vase shattered on the road.

Nicole couldn't take it anymore.

His heart cried for justice.

He stormed into a temple and started ranting at full volume:

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!

What did the flower vase ever do to you?!

Hazel's going to beat me with a stick!

Do you even like me, huh?!

No matter what I do, you just have to butt in!

Yesterday I walked around all day with banana peel on my shoulder!

Admit it

you've taken it upon yourself to RUIN MY LIFE!"

Just then, a crane flew by the temple gates,

and one of its feathers gently landed on Nicole's shoulder.

Before he could even process that

a girl rushed into the temple, panting.

It was the same one who'd sold him the vase.

"Sir! I'm so sorry!

That vase we sold you today....it was actually a priceless original!

We gave it to you by mistake.

The owners came to reclaim it!

Could you return it, please?!"

Nicole's world started spinning.

His breath froze.

His surroundings blurred.

He stood there, stunned.

His mind whispered:

Oh God… now what?!

And right then

the original owner of that vase stepped into the temple…

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