All Chapters of Affection Score: Absolute Zero: Chapter 11 - Chapter 14

The day I got discharged, I went to the cemetery.I stopped in front of a headstone with a bouquet in my hands.The woman in the photo looked just like me. Same eyes. Same smile.My mom. Sylvia.She died from a heart attack during my sophomore year.Before she passed, she held my hand and said, "Rowan, live free. Don't spend your whole life trapped by other people like I was."But I still trapped myself.Trapped in Heidi's eyes.Trapped in that stupid game.I sat in front of the grave and set the flowers down."Mom, I came to see you. Sorry it took so long. I was too ashamed to come back."A breeze stirred through the pine trees.Even the comments had gone quiet. Like everyone could feel how heavy this place was."I might be staying with you soon." I brushed my fingers over the photo. "The doctor said I probably don't have much time left. But I'm not scared anymore. For the first time in years, I'm finally living for myself."I pulled an envelope from my bag.Inside was

She stepped forward like she wanted to grab my hand, but froze halfway."If... if I'd realized sooner—""There's no 'if,' Heidi." I cut her off. "Life isn't some stage play. No rehearsals. No second takes. We live with the choices we make. You chose Andy. You chose to hurt me. And I chose to leave. That's how this ends."She just looked at me while tears slipped down her face.For once, it wasn't fake."I'm sorry..." Her voice broke. "I'm really sorry..."I nodded once. "I accept the apology. But I don't forgive you. Some damage doesn't heal."Then I turned and disappeared into the night.The comments kept flying past my eyes.[She's crying][So she finally knows what pain feels like][Still not enough][I want her to regret this forever]I never looked back.Because I knew one thing now.From here on out, I was moving forward.Just keep walking.Until I reached a place where she didn't exist anymore.***The final day.I went to the coast.Rented a little cabin fa