Betrayed On My Wedding Eve Chapter 42

Betrayed On My Wedding Eve Chapter 42

I walked out of the restaurant feeling lighter than I had in years.

Every weight I’d been carrying had lifted.

I took a turn and went to the flower shop. The one where Julian had ordered the Bird of Paradise.

The owner recognized me.

But the shop was nearly empty. She was loading the last pots into a van.

“Are you moving?”

She smiled.

“Closing. I want to try something different.”

I stood there.

“Good for you.”

She put together a small bouquet from what was left. Lily of the valley, hyacinths, a few olive branches.

“Here. For both of us stepping into something new.”

We hugged.

Said goodbye slowly.

On the way home.

The sky was streaked gold and pink, the kind of evening that makes you stop.

I stood there and watched for a while.

Then my editor called.

“Lena. Your leave might have to be cut short.”

“What happened?”

He sent a link.

Lebanon-Israel escalation. Multiple explosions. Multiple casualties.

I didn’t let him finish.

“I’ll go.”

I reached into my collar and pulled out the dog tag on a chain.

Julian.

I pressed my lips to it.

I think we both always knew.

Where there is smoke rising from a war.

That is where we run toward.

We have always hoped, for every person in this world.

That no matter how deep the darkness.

There is still starlight. Somewhere. If you look.