oward the voice that called out.

as J

ft her long ago. Her first

ssed with confidence, no longer the boy she remembered, but a

you?" Jared

voice. "I'm fine... you?" she

ess within her. He had clearly moved forward with his life,

ht of the past no longer rested on his shoulders. It made Cher

, his eyes drifting toward t

boy, who only glanced at him before tur

e you?" he

ight away, beaming.

ckled softly. He started to

l have some things to do at h

r daughter's hand.

nod to Jared, she t

to his chest. He had hoped to talk t

-

eir home, the cold breeze brushing against

a cup of coffee in hand. "You've been out

ne Jared could talk to about serious matter

't answer

row. "Wait... this ab

e liked her-maybe even loved her. But what he'd felt for Cherry... that h

saw Cherry earlier.

istened

o run into her. It

a small world,

d. "And she looks... different. Ol

fe happens. Marriage, kids-it ch

used. "It's like... she doesn'

ook. "Why are you s

didn't

or her?" Julian asked,

ed. "Nothing.

ve got your own life now. Let her live hers. Don't go reop

l couldn't let go of what he saw-how tire

ahead. Don't let the past hold you back," Julian added

led, he stood. "Ate Nenita's loo

replied, still gazin

-

tion that looked back at her didn't lie-wrinkles,

g she tried to suppress. He had moved on.

ispered to herself. "I gave so much to others

ghtly, trying to hold

lipped into her room, lying down with the weigh

-

er, Cherry rec

from

How did he get my numbe

put her phone away and continued wiping down table

he gave most of his money to his family, leaving little t

, Cherry?" he

replied with a s

st, you can. I kno

She was gratefu

again. Another message from Jared. She read it briefly-then

-

ng in the market, she he

err

ed him, quickening her

lk," he said gentl

she replied firmly. "

e offered, conc

p," she said sharply,

y, I'm

e she quickly climbed into a

had left her. He didn't fight for her. And now, no

-

ared picked up

u want to ea

smiled, hoppin

u s

urry-I'm

But as they drove, his eyes caugh

er

he saw her. And just lik

you okay? You sudd

," Jared said,

t alone in his car. He considered calling

e who walked away, he reminded

rds echoed

her

soon as her husband opened his m

e water," h

ietly, handin

ou been?" she

the table, causing thei

lease-th

pped, getting up from the t

e, once again, i

urned to the mirror. She stared at her refl

lse, she picked them up and began cutting her hair-not

t in his eyes. He stared-really stared

aned in to

n't pul

e had missed feeling wanted-ev

Alfred had finally ma

ment he realized they had spent the ent

th their children. She had cooked his favorite

" she calle

have to leav

ch as a goodbye or a kiss on the cheek. The smile

herry and Jared's pat

ng with the kids. He saw her carrying both of them while also juggling several g

apped. "I don't

those bags-I couldn't just

ur help, so just lea

ay? Why is he letting you d

a bitter smile

t lets you go through

ing in my life. Ju

can't stand seeing y

was

rday when he promised he'd keep his distance. An

m. He realized how deeply he had failed Cherry-l

stronger. If only he

ouldn't have to

ry f

e go. Okay?" Her irritation toward h

on, Ca

Jared staring after her

look back-not ev

onger cared about

was resentment-and maybe,