Chapter 14: The Conversation They Needed
They met at the same coffee shop where Lucy first spoke with Valerie.
The same table.
The same place.
But Lucy was different.
Alex noticed immediately.
"You look happy."
Lucy smiled slightly.
"I am."
That answer hurt him.
Because once upon a time...
he thought her happiness depended on him.
Now he knew better.
"I owe you an apology."
Lucy looked at him.
"Yes."
He swallowed.
"I failed you."
She said nothing.
"I failed Emma."
Her expression softened slightly.
"And I failed myself."
For the first time...
Alex wasn't trying to defend himself.
He wasn't explaining.
He wasn't making excuses.
He was simply admitting.
"I don't expect you to forgive me."
Lucy looked at him.
"Good."
He nodded.
"Because I know I don't deserve it."
The honesty surprised her.
"I loved you."
His eyes became wet.
"I know."
"No."
She shook her head.
"You don't."
She looked down.
"I loved you enough to keep choosing you."
A tear fell.
"And you loved me enough to choose someone else."
Alex had no defense.
No excuse.
Because there wasn't one.
Before they left, Alex reached into his pocket.
He placed something on the table.
Her wedding ring.
Lucy stared at it.
"I kept it."
"Why?"
He looked down.
"Because I hoped someday I could give it back."
She touched the ring.
Then pushed it back toward him.
"No."
Alex looked surprised.
"Lucy..."
"I don't want the ring."
Her voice was calm.
"I want the promise that came with it."
Silence.
"And you broke that."
She stood.
"Goodbye, Alex."
May you like
And this time...
she walked away first.
