In the coffee shop, William sat across from me, his eyes red-rimmed.I sat quietly, calm and unreadable, as if I were meeting an ordinary acquaintance from the past.The server approached and asked politely, "What can I get for you two?""Cappuccino," William said.The server turned to me, but before I could speak, William answered out of habit, "She likes a flat white. Light ice, less sugar, strong coffee.""I don't need anything."We spoke almost at the same time.The server paused, glancing between us."I'm only sitting down for a minute," I added evenly. "I'll be leaving soon."The light in William's eyes dimmed at once. His hand tightened on the edge of the table. "Stephanie, I know the truth now. I was the one who misunderstood you all these years. I was wrong. I'm sorry."I listened and gave a small nod.William seemed to wait for a response, but I said nothing. Little by little, the hope in his eyes faded.In the end, he asked, "You really don't have anything you wa
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