Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO COULDN'T BUY FORGIVENESS
Ethan asked Clare to meet him.
She agreed.
Not because she wanted him back.
Because she wanted the last of their shared financial matters settled.
They met at a quiet café.
Ethan looked exhausted.
Clare sat across from him.
“Hello.”
He swallowed.
“Hi.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Ethan said:
“I'm sorry.”
Clare nodded.
“I know.”
He looked surprised.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
He leaned forward.
“Clare, I made a terrible mistake.”
She looked at him.
“No.”
His expression changed.
“You made hundreds of small choices.”
He stared.
“Every time you dismissed my feelings.”
She continued.
“Every time you defended Vanessa.”
A tear slipped down her cheek.
“Every time you made me feel like I was asking too much just to be treated like your partner.”
Ethan looked down.
Clare wiped her face.
“The limousine was just the last one.”
He swallowed.
“I love you.”
She smiled sadly.
“I loved you too.”
He reached for her hand.
She gently moved it away.
“But love isn't enough when one person keeps disappearing to make the other comfortable.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
Clare stood.
May you like
“Goodbye, Ethan.”
And this time, she didn't look back.
