Lahat ng Kabanata ng Too late to want me back.: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

Ryan's POVI never imagined I would investigate the man my wife called a friend.It felt beneath me. Cowardly, even.If someone had suggested it six months ago, I would've laughed in their face.But six months ago, I wasn't watching another man make Amelia smile.The report was supposed to arrive in forty-eight hours.It arrived in less than twenty-four.A thick brown envelope sat on my desk when I entered my office Monday morning.Name of the sender wasn't written, it had no markings either. Just my name on it.I stared at it for a long time before finally opening it.I expected a scandal. A criminal record.Hidden debts. An ex-wife.Something. Just anything.Instead, the first page made me frown.Lucas BennettAge: Thirty-four.Occupation: Founder and CEO of Bennett Living Designs.Real estate developer and interior architecture consultant.Estimated net worth, I stopped reading.He was wealthy. Very wealthy.Not as wealthy as me.But wealthy enough that money clearly wasn't his reas

Amelia's POVThe envelope arrived on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.It was thicker than most letters, cream-colored with elegant gold lettering embossed across the front. The paper alone looked expensive.I almost left it unopened on the kitchen counter.For weeks now, invitations had become a normal part of life.Art clubs. Community events.Small interviews I politely declined.People suddenly wanted to know the woman behind After Winter.It still felt surreal.I picked up the envelope and noticed a familiar logo.The St. Claire Foundation Annual Charity Gala.My brows furrowed."What now?"I slid my finger beneath the seal and unfolded the letter.The first line made me freeze.«Dear Ms. Amelia Carter,»«Following the overwhelming response to your artwork at the Riverside Charity Exhibition, we would be honored to have you attend this year's St. Claire Foundation Charity Gala as one of our featured guest artists.»I read it again. Then a third time.Featured... artist? Not a guest. Not

I never imagined I'd be nervous about walking into a room.Not because I was afraid of people.Because I was afraid of memories.For years, every formal event had reminded me of everything I'd lost.People would ask the same questions."When are you two having children?""You've put on a little weight, haven't you?""Ryan is so busy. You must miss him."I'd smile politely. Lie through my teeth.Then go home and cry. Tonight felt different.Not because the ballroom had changed.Because I had.I looked at my reflection one last time before walking downstairs.The emerald gown flowed gently around me.The necklace resting against my collarbone belonged to my late grandmother.I hadn't worn it in years.It reminded me of something she'd once said."Never let grief convince you that you no longer deserve beautiful things."Back then, I hadn't understood.Now I did.A car horn sounded outside. It was Lucas.I picked up my evening bag and headed for the front door.As I stepped outside, Luca

Amelia's POVThe gala ended long after midnight.By the time Lucas and I stepped outside, the cool night air felt like a welcome escape from the crowded ballroom.I slipped off my heels the moment we reached the steps.Lucas laughed."I was wondering how long you'd last.""My feet surrendered an hour ago.""You hid it well.""I've had years of practice pretending everything's fine."The joke left my lips before I realized what I'd said.Lucas looked at me for a moment.Then he smiled gently."I think you're finally learning that you don't have to."We walked toward the parking lot in comfortable silence.Behind us, guests lingered outside the hotel, chatting beneath the warm glow of the entrance lights.Several photographers still waited near the front doors, hoping to capture influential guests leaving.I tried not to pay attention.Tonight wasn't about them.Tonight was about the woman I'd found again.---Lucas unlocked the car but didn't open the door immediately.Instead, he lean

Ryan's POVThe hospital parking lot looked exactly the same.The same white building.The same glass entrance.The same flower beds lining the walkway.I sat in my car with the engine turned off, staring at the doors through the windshield.For several minutes...I couldn't make myself move.I hadn't been back here in almost two years.Not because I couldn't.Because I didn't want to remember.Every time I thought about this place, I buried myself in work instead.Work had become my hiding place.Today, there was nowhere left to hide.I stepped out of the car.The familiar scent of antiseptic greeted me the moment I walked inside.Memories hit me all at once.Amelia squeezing my hand before our first ultrasound.Her excited smile when we first heard our baby's heartbeat.The tiny knitted socks she'd secretly bought before we even knew the baby's gender.The sound of her laughter.Then; the silence.The unbearable silence.I closed my eyes for a moment.Some wounds never truly healed.