All Chapters of When She Returned, I Let Her Go: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

“Is it final then?”As I walked out of the courthouse, my father, Matthew Bennett, stepped toward me with slow, unsteady steps.“Are you divorced?“Did she show up?”“No.”“Does she even know?”I shook my head. “The court issued a public summons for sixty days, but no one could reach her. I don’t think she had the time to check it anyway.”My father’s brows furrowed into a deep, heavy frown. “Because of Austin?”“Yeah. He was undergoing surgery at the time. It was a matter of life and death.”Dad’s mouth tightened into a rigid, straight line. “Is he getting better now?”“Maybe.”“Nicholas... don’t you still love her?”“We were married for three years, and she made every single one of his meals without missing a day. Dad, she might have a place for me in her heart, but she has a place for him, too.”My father’s expression grew even more solemn, but he didn’t say another word.Eight years ago, we met in a hospital.Back then, Amelia was already the most renowned cardiothor

The doorbell rang.Amelia went to open the door.Austin stood right outside.Dressed in a crisp white shirt, he dangled Amelia’s phone in the air with a faint smirk.“What are you doing here?”“Bringing your phone back to you, of course. Your grandmother specifically called to nag me about it.”Amelia’s tone was light and cheerful. The slight curve of her lips matched the exact smile on Austin’s face.In just three short years, they already carried the unmistakable likeness of a married couple.Yet I was the one who was her husband.Amelia’s gaze fell on his unbuttoned collar, and her brows knitted together slightly. “Wait here a second.”With that, she brushed past me, crossed the living room, and walked into the guest room.When she emerged, she was holding a sewing kit.“I’m going to drop him off at home first. Go to sleep without me,” she said, directing the words at me.“Are you coming back tonight?”“Of course.”Her fingers moved deftly as she threaded the needle.

On Saturday morning, I was out on the balcony planting flowers.Amelia walked over.“Nicholas, what are you doing?”The floor was strewn with dirt and empty flowerpots.“You’re awake? Come help me plant these flowers.”“Sure. The sapling has been sitting here for days—what made you suddenly decide to plant it today?”“Just a sudden whim. Will you stay and help me?”“Of course!”She rolled up her sleeves and held the flower sapling upright.I stopped the trowel in my hand and looked at her intently.“Why are you staring at me like that?”“Well, it’s been a long time, after all.”“We’ll have plenty of time from now on.”“Amelia, do you still remember what I said when I proposed to you three years ago?”“I remember. How could I ever forget?”“Can you answer me one more time today?”With a face full of smiles, she stood up straight and agreed softly.I patted the dirt off my hands and dropped down onto one knee.“Amelia, I’ve imagined proposing to you in countless ways, b

My first stop was Aspen.I had heard people say that May and June were the best months to visit.I took in the breathtaking views of Maroon Bells and Independence Pass.I hiked up the snow-capped mountain trails.I watched the golden glow of the sun reflecting off the mountain peaks at sunrise.In the end, I settled into a cozy bed-and-breakfast right by the lake.On the third evening of my stay, the innkeeper hosted a bonfire night for the guests.When it came to my turn during Truth or Dare, I drew a Truth prompt, which immediately sent the whole group into a fit of laughter.The innkeeper held up a hand to hush the crowd.“Is Amelia Whitmore your wife?”I froze for a moment.“Ex-wife.”A sudden silence fell over the circle.“Do you... all know her?” I asked.One of the girls stepped forward to explain. “We stumbled across her apology vlog online.“She said you were traveling alone, and she hoped that anyone who ran into you would look after you on her behalf.“She al

Three years later, my travels came to an end.I returned to my home.That very evening, Amelia appeared at the entrance of my apartment building.I stood up by the window, silently watching her from above.She had lost a considerable amount of weight, the corners of her mouth sloped downward, and the clothes she wore looked like the very ones she had worn three years ago.Her hair had turned gray, too.Dad walked over to my side, speaking with a heavy sigh.“During all these years you were away, she came over to visit me quite often.“Sometimes she would just sit and listen to me talk about your childhood, and other times she would stare blankly at your photos.“Most of the time, she would stay in your room, clutching your marriage certificate in her hand, completely dazed.”Dad pointed to the new additions around the apartment, his face filled with mixed emotions.“The year before last, I mentioned that my lower back was aching, and she went straight out and bought me that