And she’s right.
Also, today is what matters. Even if this relationship is doomed to end, I will always cherish the few moments in life I had with him.
Fuck the age gap. I’m not going to spoil what we have right now.
We chat and laugh, until Amelie announces she’s done with this outing with a loud wail. My friends leave, and I stand on the street, strangely lost.
I’m so used to working all the time, I don’t quite know what to do with myself.
I decide to visit Ethan. As strange as it is, after spending time with Xander, I need a proper closure with my former fiancé. My fake husbandshowed me in a couple of weeks how “not enough” my former real relationship was.
The buzzing of the city hums in the background of the peaceful place with its large trees, offering much-needed shade.
I walk down the familiar path, already saying goodbye to the place. I will always remember Ethan, but I think it’s time to say a proper farewell. It’s strangely liberating, knowing this may be the last time I’m here.
His grave doesn’t have fresh flowers, and it feels strangely barren without them.
“I didn’t plan on coming today,” I say, as if Ethan would expect that I wouldn’t show up empty-handed. “I met someone. He sold his motorcycle for me.”
Okay, I guess I held too much resentment to release it easily. But I don’t have to be spiteful.
“I came to say goodbye. One I should have said years ago, but couldn’t. Perhaps it was the anger I felt about your unnecessary death. Or maybe it was just me holding onto the future I lost. In any case, I met someone, and I’m happy. I hope you found your peace wherever you are.”
“Hello.” A boy comes from behind me and squats by the stone, stuffing a fresh bunch of flowers in thevase.
“Hi.” Who is this? I look around for a parent or a grandparent. A woman stands in the shadow.
He turns to me. I blink a few times, because I know those eyes. Before my brain can conjure any explanation, he smiles. “Did you know my father?”
I swallow, my knees giving in. He steps closer, gripping my elbow. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I think. I didn’t know Ethan had a son.”
“I was born five months after he died. Mom and Dad didn’t have a chance to tell anyone about me. How did you know him?”
He looks at me with his huge eyes, full of expectations. A boy who never knew his father, probably hungry for any information about him.
I can barely speak with the lump in my throat. “I didn’t really know him that well.”
The irony? It’s not a lie, despite having spent five years with the man. Jesus.
Making an excuse, I nod to whom I assume is the boy’s mother. I’m not interested in unraveling this more. Or meeting the other woman.
I stumble out of there. As soon as I’m back on the busy street, I burst out laughing—it’s manic, unhinged, and strangely cathartic.
Ethan, you fucking bastard. Can we truly know someone? Only the parts they show us.
I would have expected to be devastated.Instead, I’m relieved. Like knowing he was a cheating bastard gives me permission to finally let go. I held on to the memory of him for way too long.
I stop at a bakery and get myself a whole box of cakes when my phone rings.
“Why is the bistro closed?” Tessa accuses instead of greeting me.
“Why do you care?” I say, grinning. I don’t even know why, but I feel lighter. Like I shed skin I hadn’t needed for a long time, and now I can breathe freely.
“I’m standing in front of it,” she huffs.
“Why?”
