Chapter 14 - THE LAST CONVERSATION WITH RYAN
Ryan asked to meet me one final time before the divorce was finalized.
We chose a small café near our old office.
The same place where we used to celebrate new contracts.
He looked older.
Tired.
But calmer.
“Katherine.”
“Ryan.”
We ordered coffee.
For a while, we discussed the company.
The financial review.
The restructuring.
Mallory's departure.
Then Ryan put down his cup.
“I owe you an apology.”
I looked at him.
He swallowed.
“I invited Mallory because I wanted to avoid disappointing her.”
I said nothing.
He continued.
“And I convinced myself you'd understand.”
I looked down.
Ryan's voice broke.
“I treated your feelings like they were less important because I thought you'd always stay.”
My throat tightened.
For years, I had wanted him to understand that.
Now he finally did.
Ryan looked at me.
“I was wrong.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“Do you think we could ever try again?”
I looked toward the window.
For a moment, I remembered the bakery office.
The leaking coffee machine.
The late nights.
The dreams.
The love.
Then I remembered Provence.
The suitcase.
The empty chair.
The promise.
I looked back.
“No.”
Ryan's eyes filled.
I continued.
“I don't hate you.”
He nodded.
“But I don't want to be your wife again.”
He looked down.
After a moment, he whispered:
“Are you happy?”
I thought of my work.
My apartment.
My friends.
The life I had rebuilt.
Then I smiled.
“Yes.”
Ryan nodded.
“Good.”
We finished our coffee.
Then stood.
At the door, he held out his hand.
I took it.
For a moment, we were simply two people who had shared a dream.
May you like
Then we let go.
And walked in different directions.
