Arthur sat alone in the garden of their old house, holding a letter in his hand. His penmanship had always been neat, but the words scrawled on the paper trembled with guilt.
He had written to his mother–again.}}
It was the fifth letter. He had sent them all: long apologies, confessions, memories, even promises to change. But none of them were answered. Not a single word. Erika had gone silent, and it was starting to feel like they had truly lost her.”
Kier walked onto the porch behind him. “Did she respond?“}
Arthur shook his head.
“She’s still not answering?“>
“No,” Arthur said quietly. “And maybe… maybe it’s for the better.“>
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Kier frowned. “What are you talking about?“}
Arthur turned to face his father. “We hurt her, Dad. You. Me. Grandpa. Camille. We broke her in ways we didn’t even try to understand. And now she’s finally happy. Maybe we don’t deserve to be a part of that anymore.“}]
Kier’s jaw tightened. “She’s still my wife.”
“No, she’s not,” Arthur said gently. “She stopped being that the moment she packed her things and walked out without looking back. We lost her. And we deserve to be forgotten by her.“>
Kier stood in silence, fists clenched.§
“She deserves to be happy,” Arthur added. “Even if it’s without us.“}
But Kier refused to accept that.
He couldn’t.
He continued sending flowers–dozens of them. He left handwritten notes outside Erika’s apartment, emails she never opened, gifts she never kept. He lingered near her office sometimes, sitting in cafés across the street, hoping for even a glance.
From a distance, he watched her.
And each time he did, his heart broke all over again.)
Erika was glowing.
Riley walked beside her, laughing softly as he carried her portfolio. She looked at peace. She smiled like a woman unburdened. Like someone finally free.
One afternoon, Kier saw them dancing in the park during a local street performance. Erika’s head rested on Riley’s shoulder, and they swayed like they’d done it a hundred times before. Riley kissed her temple. She closed her eyes and smiled.
And Kier…. cried.
He wept
52 I @ F = 5
like a man grieving the living.”
Because in every step she took with Riley, he saw the life he never gave her. The softness he never protected. The joy he had stolen.§ Then came the news.
It spread through whispers and posts–Erika said yes.} She had accepted Riley’s proposal. Kier’s world slowed.
He had never seen her wear white. He had denied her the one thing she always wanted–Paris and a wedding. She had dreamed of both. Now, she was finally having them.
And not with him.
One quiet afternoon, Kier stood outside a bridal boutique. He wasn’t meant to be there–he knew that—but he couldn’t stop himself. The display windows were large and clear. Inside, Erika stood before a mirror, surrounded by fabric and lace.§
She was radiant.
The gown hugged her perfectly, soft ivory tulle flowing around her like a cloud. A smile danced on her lips, one hand resting over her heart as Riley appeared behind her, whispering something that made her laugh.
Kier watched
Unseen.
Uninvited
Unneeded
Tears rolled silently down his cheeks as he realized–this was the moment she had once dreamed of sharing with him. And he had thrown it all away.
Erika belonged to someone else now.
And for the first time, Kier understood what it meant to lose her..
forever!
A
