21
As blend drained from his houfe, his breathing pres fuis by the c
Someone rushed to lift him, but his thoughts dung ebburely to finding Bely
Through the have fragmente of the pines drifted back
When he’d learned of Addison’s “death” bed drowned himself in sloshed, a wreck even his family scalded
I was Evelyn who raped
Sise il tended in him through drunken stupors, brewed hangover drinks when he’d pond one at vig through his stomach bleeds, and even runkkarei his work at the company, pouring her entire hean imo him
He’d noticed her devotion back then.
But Addison’s loss had blinded him
Until the night he’d mistaken her for Addison, pinning her down
Then, he was forced to confrom the tangled threads of their relationship
Had he loved Evelyn, even then?
Later, he’d married her out of duty, slowly emerging from Addison’s shadow
They’d had children
He’d thought a quiet life like this was pretty good.
But life was cruel with in twinte
When Addison reappeared, all he’d seen was the ghost of a past he’d mourned
He’d told himself he’d honor his commitment to Evelyn, yet clung to the lie that Addison was his first and only love
Then Evelyn left for good withour even saying goodbye
And Reuben finally saw the depth of his folly
He’d fallen for Evelyn long ago
All those nights, all those days, the one he loved wasnt Addison, but the woman who’d stayed, steady and unwavering, by his side
Yet regret, his stubborn refusal to let go, had cost him everything
Reuben closed his eyes, tears of agony slipping free
He thought, “If I chosen Evelyn, unwaveringly, from the start…..
If Fd woken up to my feelings sooner.
“If I’d believed Evelyn.”
Countless what–ifs swirled in his mind, dissolving into the crumpled note in his hand.
“I’m gone Don’t look for me. I don’t want you anymore.”
“Evelyn!”
Reuben johted upright, his chest heaving, face ashen sweat soaking his brow
He found Evelyn anting by his bed, like i had all just been a dream
He couldn’t hold back, pulling her into a desperate embrace-
“Exclyn, you forgive me don’t you?” he babbled
“You couldn’t bear to see me suffer, to see me hurt Evelyn you still love me. You must. I’ll never let you get hurt agun, mescen…*
He clung to her, rambling rightening his grip as if she might vanush
If the past was just a dream
If he could wake to find nothing broken the one he loved still here
But no matter how fiercely he clung, the figure in his arms dissolved, but by bi
1
<21
It really had been just a dream, fleeting and cruel.
Reuben’s eyes fluttered open, his body shaking, tears streaming unchecked.
Simeon stepped forward as he woke up.
Mr. Gregson, we’ve located Mrs. Gregson.”
Reuben’s eyes sparked to life. “Where’s she?”
“She’s abroad. We’ve made contact. Mrs. Gregson said she’s willing to meet you.”
Those few words brought Reuben hope.
Evelyn was willing to see him.
It meant there was still a chance between them.
Overwhelmed, Reuben bought the ticket for the next flight.
Simeon caught his arm, hesitating.
“Sir, your wound hasn’t healed. Perhaps rest for a few days? If Mrs. Gregson agreed to meet, she won’t back out.”
Reuben pulled free.
“I can’t wait another second. Since Evelyn left, I’ve thought of nothing but her. I need to see her now.”
His eyes and brows softened, which left Simeon perplexed.
“If you had known it would come to this… why did you ever…”
But Reuben didn’t hear the muttered words.
His mind was consumed by Evelyn. Just the thought of seeing her soon sent a thrill through him.
Even on the plane, he couldn’t settle.
He thought, “Has she fared well abroad? Lost weight? Does she have enough funds? A foreign land must have felt so alien to her.
At the thought of her, his heart melted, her face filling his mind.
