Aunt Janice and James had opened a mountain resort and that day, I was helping the staff design uniforms when a figure suddenly walked into my view.
I looked up into Callum’s face.
After months apart, the once–dashing, prideful man–always impeccably dressed in suits and ties–looked drastically different.
He seemed like he had just recovered from a severe illness. His complexion had turned ashen, devoid of vitality, and he had visibly lost weight.
“Eloise,” he said softly, just as he used to during our dating phase, his voice filled with a familiar tenderness.
I could see the longing in his eyes but all I felt was annoyance.
Whatever calmness Ifelt vanished and was replaced by wariness and detachment.
“What do you want?” I asked.
“Come back with me, won’t you?
“I’ve been miserable for so long,” he said.
His eyes were red and the once–proud and composed man now appeared pensive, melancholic -even pitiful.
But I was no longer the Eloise whose emotions he could sway.
“We’re already divorced. If there’s nothing else, please don’t bother me.‘
“No, I didn’t want a divorce, Eloise.”
The words seemed to pain him. He stepped closer, his movements urgent.
“I was just so angry that day. I signed the papers in a moment of impulsiveness.
“I regret it now–truly. I know I misunderstood you. I investigated everything, and it turns
out those photos and rumors were all fabricated by Hannah.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already kicked her out of the house. You’ll never see her again.
“So let’s make amends, please?”
“No,” I said firmly.
“Callum, you still don’t understand. My decision to divorce you wasn’t just because you wronged me with regard to Hannah. That was merely the final spark that ignited everything.
“The real issue is that your feelings wavered.”
1/3
*** 28 BONUS
“They didn’t!” Callum’s eyes reddened as he retorted.
“I love you. I’ve only ever loved you.”
