Christopher’s life ended quickly. He was buried in the same cemetery as Mia. When I visited Mia’s grave, I saw Timothy again.
Seven years had passed, and he had changed so much.
Though barely forty, his head was streaked with gray. He had grown thin, and his posture, as he stood alone, spoke of a man who had seen better days.
When he saw Jacob and me, he had a bitter look on his face.
“Christopher… he knew he had let you down. He spent every day drowning himself in alcohol. His condition worsened, and he passed away early on.”
Timothy didn’t mention that before Christopher died, he had clutched their old photos and rings. Then, he had used a shard of a broken bottle to slit his wrists.
Looking at Jacob, Timothy’s expression was complicated.
“Mom!”
In the distance, my children came running toward us.
1/2
“Mimi, slow down. Don’t trip,” Jonathan said, concern evident in his eyes as he looked at Millicent.
Timothy watched them, and I knew he was seeing the two children and remembering how we once were.
But sadly, everything had changed, and we could never go back.
Finally, he turned his gaze toward me. All the words he wished to say were reduced to a single sentence.
“Goodbye, Lena. I pray for your happiness.”
I nodded slightly, and Jacob and I walked away, holding Millicent and Jonathan’s hands.
Jacob looked at me, and his eyes seemed to hold a world of tenderness.
“When I first saw you at the auction, I fell for you at first sight. I looked into your background and even proposed a marriage alliance with the Kingsley family. But when I learned you had someone you loved, I let go of the idea.
“Though in our circle, love at first sight is absurd, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ll spend a lifetime showing you my sincerity, Lena.”
I smiled and held his broad, warm hand, replying simply, “Me too.”
As I spoke, a bright smile spread across Jacob’s face.
The distant lights flickered on, and the summer evening breeze made the air feel especially comfortable.
Hand in hand, we walked forward, with Millicent and Jonathan’s laughter echoing around us.
We followed the sound of their laughter, slowly making our way home.
