The Ones We Leave Behind Novels & Stories

This was the moment where we would leave the past behind and step into a life of our choosing. I could hear the soft murmur of guests gathering in the hall. Close friends, family, and the loyal few who had stood by us in the chaos. My men, my inner circle, stood discreetly at the back, a silent reassurance that the world outside, the threats and dangers, would remain far from this room. It was ours, just for a fleeting, perfect moment.

‘It is understandable, they are your family, and given how they are, so loving, caring, nurturing, leaving them behind must be difficult,’ he spoke as he kissed the back of my hand. ‘I am not just leaving them behind, Nash,’ I spoke grimly as I turned to see my home, my people, as we drove out of the main gate, ‘I am leaving my soul behind. These people, these buildings, these houses, they are my soul. And I don’t think I would ever be complete without them.’

To let go of anything that doesn’t belong in my life anymore. As I walk toward the plane, my hand tightens around the ticket, my breath steady. But behind me, something unseen lingers. And I know this— Not everything I’m leaving… will stay behind.

It was a room filled with love and the promise of a bright future. Outside, the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink as it began its descent. The chirping of birds provided a melodic background to the bittersweet symphony that was unfolding inside. Boxes were sealed, and bags were zipped shut. It was time to leave behind the familiar and embrace the unknown. Nelson and Maiari shared a look, their eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and determination. They knew this journey wouldn't be easy, but they were ready to face it together.

"I did." We sat like that for a long while, her hand over mine, the sitcom laugh track still murmuring faintly through the wall, neither of us in any hurry to be anywhere else. It wasn't a kiss. It wasn't a declaration. It was just two people who'd hurt each other more than once, sitting quietly in the same room, choosing to stay in it anyway. When I finally stood to leave, she walked me to the door. "Same time tomorrow?" I asked. "Meaning work. The normal way. Not "

But she didn’t step back. She stayed standing. I woke with a quiet understanding. She had built me. And I had honored her. Weeks later, the Fellowship Council asked if I would record a message for the next cohort. Just one question. What would you tell women standing at the edge of leaving? I sat in front of a simple camera. No backdrop. No branding. “Leaving is not failure,” I said slowly. “It is often the first act of construction.” “If staying requires you to disappear, leave.”

Juliet Somehow, I was back at the cafe, facing Grace's piercing gaze. After I struggled to hold back from crying, which I had been doing a lot these days, Grace managed to convince me to go back to the cafe with her. “So… how about Naomi and Leah?” I asked, not just because I was trying to shift the conversation from me, but because I was curious about the women I used to call my friends. “Leah left the country to manage her mother's farm a year after graduation”, Grace answered.

‎"I'll explain later kitten. We have to leave right now" ‎We leave the fair. ‎Hand in hand. ‎Fireworks still exploding overhead. ‎But the night is over us. ‎And a darker day is coming. ‎Again. ‎

Poison for any pack member—a pill designed to erase the mark that bound us to the Pack in two weeks. I took a single pill and swallowed it dry. The mark on my arm pulsed. Soon, it would vanish. And with it, my place here. I would disappear. Just as Max and the Pack had always wanted. Two weeks. Two weeks, and then… I would leave you, Maximillian.

I didn’t think he’d care that I stayed at Bianca’s last night. Michael: Please baby don’t leave I’m heading back home now. Michael: Holly, I know you’re upset, but please give me the chance to talk this out with you. There’s several more reminding me again that it’s not what it looked like, they’re just friends, etc. The last one I received was a one this morning, and I was already in bed by that point. Michael: I hope you give me some time tomorrow. I love you.