Chapter 9
521words
I didn't even bother verifying if it was true or not.
Their love-hate entanglements, whether deserved punishment or just mutual destruction—it no longer touched my heart.
I poured all my energy into work, and Dad gradually emerged from his grief a bit.
We supported each other, striving to get life back on track, even though our home would forever be missing one person.
Six months later, on a late autumn evening, I worked overtime until late.
As I left the office building, I saw Landon leaning against his car.
He'd lost a lot of weight—his suit hung loosely on him, shadows of fatigue etched between his brows.
The once dazzling charisma was completely extinguished.
He saw me, straightened up, opened his mouth as if to call my name, but no sound came out.
I paused, intending to ignore him as usual and walk straight away.
"Chloe."
He finally spoke, his voice terribly raspy.
I stopped but didn't turn around.
"I'm divorced." He said, his tone devoid of emotion, "Just finalized today."
"Oh."
I responded, starting to walk again.
"Wait!"
He hurried a few steps to block me, holding a velvet box, which he opened.
Inside was the wedding ring I'd left on the coffee table in the marital home, glinting coldly under the dim light.
"This... back to you. No, returning to its rightful owner."
"No need." I shook my head, "Throw it away, or do whatever you want with it."
"I'm sorry."
He looked at me, a glimmer in his eyes—maybe the streetlight's reflection, or something else.
"I know this apology is too light, too late—nothing can bring back what was lost. Your mom's death... it's the biggest mistake of my life. I'll never forgive myself."
"My mom's death is the greatest pain of my life."
I met his gaze, saying clearly.
"But your forgiveness means nothing to me anymore."
He seemed struck hard, his shoulders slumping.
After a long silence, he spoke again, his voice low like a whisper:
"Lately, I keep dreaming of when we first got together—college campus, the basement apartment... Also dreaming of your mom smiling as she served me food, telling me to take good care of you... I..."
He couldn't continue, choked by sobs.
The evening wind blew, swirling a few withered leaves.
The air was cool.
"Landon."
Suddenly, I felt some words needed to be said—to close the chapter on those ten years, on my lost love and mother.
"We can't go back. Not because of what you did, but from the moment you chose to hide it, to let her exist—our end was inevitable."
"You destroyed our ten years and indirectly caused my mom's death. That's the fact—unchangeable."
"I won't seek revenge, because it's pointless, and Mom wouldn't want me to live the rest of my life in hatred. But I won't forgive you either."
"This is the best ending for us—it's over."
"Don't come looking for me anymore."
I finished, not looking at his shattered, desolate expression, and turned into the deep autumn night.
This time, he didn't follow.
