distract

hout actually reading. Marcus stood in the doorway of my of

. I'm

weeks. At this point, it's lost all meaning." He set a

'd given me a job at his gallery, then helped me open my own when I was ready. He wa

e here two

fway to his mouth. "Your

fee cup. "He had a car accident. He has amnes

. Is h

ed into my coffee. "He doesn't remember me, Marcus. He d

did he

." I laughed without humor. "I told him everything. Every

his cup. "Do you

because they can't remember?" I felt tears burning behind my eyes. "He sent me a text saying he fou

u belie

came here in the rain seemed different. Lost.

a moment. "Can I gi

eas

s together. You were a ghost." His voice was gentle but firm. "It took you two years to rebuild yourself. To remember w

you're

ut

did love me and just didn't know how to show it? What i

e him anything, Elara. Not access to your life, not

text from the unknown n

e me again, but I need you to know something. I'm going to therapy. I'm trying to underst

cus the text

ng to mani

e genuinely try

comes the best version of himself, that doesn't mean you

he was right. So wh

"Let's get lunch. You need

r both of us and tried to distract me with gallery business,

ien's CFO and best friend. I'd met him

ld take

concern written

outside.

rry to call, but I need to

ing. "Is he okay? Di

those five years. He's obsessed. He watches security footage from your marriage,

ou telling

"Look, I know you have no reason to care about him after what he did. But the

t my probl

orried about my friend." He paused. "There's something els

cold. "What a

gator sent photos of you two together

my friend.

mien doesn't. And it

m suffer like

ames's voice was quiet. "Because

they should have. "What do

. Let him explain. Then if you still want him g

you care

veryone who cared about him. And now I'm watching him try to be better. Maybe he

yes. "I'll th

I ask. Thank

idewalk, phone in hand, feeling li

utside. "Ever

dating. He hired a

. "That's insane. Tha

someone who's lost and try

defend

I was doing. "His friend called. He want

re consid

ay

followed and you're thinking about giving him another chance?" Marcus grabbed m

kno

really think about this

oth knew I'd alrea

again. Another t

treats you better than I did. You deserve that. I'll

ssage, something t

. "Good. He's backing off. T

s were already typing a respon

ot yet. Meet me at Pike Place Market tomorrow. 2 PM. You want to understand wha

fore I could

me. "Elara, wha

stupid," I said. "But

zzed almost

hank you for givin

mistake," M

But it's mi