CHAPTER 4 — The Last Conversation
CHAPTER 4 — The Last Conversation
We met at a quiet café overlooking the river.
He looked exhausted.
Dark circles under his eyes.
Wrinkled shirt.
No wedding ring.
Mine remained in my purse.
Not on my finger.
"I made a mistake," he began.
I stayed silent.
"My mother got into my head."
Still silent.
"I lost my temper."
Silence again.
Finally, frustration broke through.
"Why won't you say anything?"
"Because I'm waiting."
"For what?"
"For the first sentence that doesn't blame someone else."
His mouth opened.
Then closed.
Nothing came out.
He reached across the table.
"I love you."
I looked at him.
"No."
"What?"
"You loved what I could provide."
He frowned.
"That's not fair."
"Really?"
I slid a folder toward him.
His unpaid debts.
His credit reports.
His canceled purchases.
Copies of every document Daniel had uncovered.
Color drained from his face.
"You investigated me?"
"No.
Reality did."
Then I placed my phone on the table.
I pressed play.
His recorded voice filled the café.
"If you tell anyone, I'll make sure everyone knows you're mentally unstable."
He stared at the screen.
"I..."
"I don't need revenge anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I already have the truth."
He whispered,
"Can we start over?"
I stood.
"No, Preston."
"You don't start over with someone who had to prove they deserved basic respect."
May you like
I walked away.
He never followed.
