Chapter 8
352words
I'd become the Louvre's head of restoration in Paris.
Ethan remained my closest friend and confidant.
We never became lovers.
Some vessels, once shattered, can never hold love again.
But he stayed.
That was enough.
A letter arrived today.
From a Chicago law firm.
Ms. Petrova:
Alessandro Moretti, former head of the Moretti Family, passed away last month.
Cause: complications from a gunshot wound.
Per his will, his entire estate has been donated to charity.
He left only this letter for you.
Please find it enclosed.
I opened the attachment with trembling fingers.
Irina:
By the time you read this, I will be gone.
Don't mourn me. This end was always coming.
A man who betrays what he loves deserves nothing less.
For years, I've followed your career from afar.
Your restorations.
Your accolades.
Your rising star.
It brought me peace.
At least my one right decision—
Letting you go—
Gave you the life you deserved.
If there's another life after this one,
I hope we meet differently.
I'll be the man you thought I was.
Honest. Faithful. Worthy.
A man deserving of your love.
But for now, I can only say:
Thank you for once loving me.
I'm sorry I destroyed that love.
I wish you happiness forever.
—Your former husband, Alessandro」
I finished reading the letter.
I sat for a long time.
Did not cry.
Just very quiet.
Ethan walked in.
Saw my expression.
"Him?"
"Yes."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
I stood up.
Walked to the window.
In the Paris sky, pigeons flew by.
Free.
Unrestrained.
Just like me now.
"Ethan."
"Hmm?"
"Where shall we go tomorrow?"
"Venice. There's a restoration project at St. Mark's Basilica."
"Then let's go."
"Don't you need to... deal with this?"
"No need."
I deleted the emails.
"Let the past be the past."
"Life is still long."
"We continue moving forward."
He looked at me.
In his eyes, there was tenderness, heartache, and pride.
"Good. Let's move forward."
We walked out of the studio side by side.
Sunlight poured over us.
Warm.
Bright.
I no longer looked back.
(End)
Author: wintercat
