Christopher stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks. Amina’s voice floated in from the next room, laughing on the phone with her sister. The sound made him smile — effortlessly, naturally.

  His phone buzzed.

  Jewel: “Can we meet one last time? Please.”

  He stared at the message for a long time, thumb hovering. Then he typed:

  Christopher: “Okay. One hour.”

  They met at the park where they used to walk circles just to avoid going home.

  She was already on the bench, wringing her hands. Her energy was different this time — not entitled, not performative. Just quiet. Humbled.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “You look good,” she said.

  “Thanks,” he replied. “So do you.”

  “I won’t take up your time. I just… I needed to say goodbye. The real kind. Not the kind where I hope you’ll come back later.”

  He nodded, waiting.

  “I know now what I had — and what I lost. You were the one who loved me without conditions. And I never gave that back. I was too caught up in being free, in not being ready. But you were always there. I didn’t see you until you were gone.”

  She looked up, blinking back tears. “I guess I just wanted to hear you say it. That it’s really over.”

  Christopher sat down beside her, calm and steady. “It is.”

  No anger. No resentment. Just truth.

  “I’m not mad at you,” he continued. “I loved you. Deeply. But I love myself now too.

  And I finally know what it means to be loved the way I deserve.”

  She nodded, fighting emotion. “She’s lucky.”

  “She sees me,” he said. “And that’s all I ever wanted.”

  Jewel reached for his hand. He let her hold it for a moment, then gently pulled away.

  Some things you only hold once.