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Chapter 16 - The Farewell Dinner

last update publish date: 2026-06-23 17:14:56

Two Years Earlier - Wednesday, March 4th 2024

Valentina

Dinner felt strangely normal at first. L

Reminiscent of the ones we had shared so many times before. Mark telling stories. Livvy interrupting. Ethan smiling beneath the long suffering sigh and rolling his eyes.

Maddie trying unsuccessfully to keep order. The familiar chaos wrapped around me like a blanket. For a little while, I forgot my heart was broken. Then eventually the conversation shifted.

The room grew quieter. Everyone looked at
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