She was gone, and he realized too late that she had been his only true love.
Edward sat in his car, staring at the entrance of the restaurant. His hands trembled, but he didnt notice. A dull ringing filled his ears, a sign of the tension gripping him. Tonight was the school reunion. Twenty years since theyd left secondary school. Twenty years since hed destroyed what could have been his happiness.
Back then, he had suspected Charlotte of betraying him. A photo with “another man,” as hed believed, had twisted his stomach into knots. She hadnt defended herself. Silent. He had shouted, accused her, spewed every bitter thought hed kept inside. And she had walked away. No shouting. No explanations.
Six months later, he married Rebecca. Out of spite. To prove to Charlotte he could be happy without her. But happiness never came. The marriage was flat, strained like a tightrope. Everything was in placethe wife, the child, the job. Yet his heart remained silent.
And tonight, he would see her again. Charlotte. The only one. The woman he had truly loved.
He stepped into the room and sensed her at once. No, he didnt see her firsthe felt her. Her energy, her soft laughter. She was still radianta floral dress, curls resting on her shoulders, that confident gaze. And suddenly, everything shifted again. Just like before.
“Charlotte” he called as she stepped outside to answer her phone.
“Yes, Edward?” Her voice was calm, almost mocking.
“I need to know everything. How youve lived without me?”
“Are you sure you want to hear it?” No pain in her voice, just deep exhaustion, worn thin.
“I cant live without you. Without us”
“There is no *us*, Edward. Not anymore. Not for a long time.”
“What about our child?” he blurted suddenly.
She paled. Closed her eyes. Then spoke, low and firm:
“You mean the baby I lost after your accusations? The one I couldnt save because I was crying too much? Yes, I was pregnant. But you said it wasnt yours. You believed that photo. Not me. Not your own heart. You believed Rebecca.”
He lowered his head. He had destroyed everything that day.
“I survived, Edward. Broken, burned. But I survived. I left. Started over. A man helped mea man who saw me just me. Not my mistakes, not my fault, not my past. And now, we have two adopted children. Theyve been mine from the first day. And Im happy.”
“Forgive me”
“Why? For destroying me? Ive forgiven you. Myselfthat took longer. But Im not the woman you knew anymore. I dont belong to you. You realized too late what youd lost.”
She turned and walked away. Light steps, back straight, full of certaintyeverything he hadnt known how to protect.
And he stood there, motionless, in the hum of distant traffic, his heart in pieces, with one certainty: you cant go back. Sometimes, its just too late. And even if youve carried her in your heart all your life to her, youre no one now.
