Chapter 19 - THE MAN WHO CAME BACK
Ethan came one final time.
He stood at the bottom of the hill.
Natalie walked down to meet him.
He looked older.
Not dramatically.
Just tired.
“I heard the center is doing well.”
“It is.”
“I heard the kids are happy.”
“They are.”
He nodded.
“I wanted to say goodbye.”
Natalie studied him.
“You're leaving?”
“I'm moving.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere nobody knows me.”
Natalie almost smiled.
“That might be good for you.”
He looked toward the house.
“Do you ever think about what would have happened if I hadn't sent that message?”
Natalie answered honestly.
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“I think I would have stayed.”
Ethan looked down.
“And now?”
“Now I know better.”
He nodded.
“I deserved that.”
Natalie didn't argue.
He took a breath.
“I was cruel.”
“Yes.”
“I was selfish.”
“Yes.”
“I thought money made me powerful.”
Natalie looked at him.
“Money never made you powerful.”
“What did?”
She answered softly.
“The people who loved you.”
Ethan's eyes filled with regret.
“And I lost them.”
Natalie didn't say anything.
He turned toward the road.
Then stopped.
“Take care of them.”
“I will.”
Ethan walked away.
Natalie watched until he disappeared.
Then she turned back toward the hill.
Toward the house.
May you like
Toward the life she had chosen.
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