The Girl Who Was His Replacement for Nine Years Finally Left Him Chapter 13

The Girl Who Was His Replacement for Nine Years Finally Left Him Chapter 13

When I heard that, I felt nothing.

That was his choice.

It had nothing to do with me.

A lot of people asked me the same thing.

“He’s gone this far for you. Doesn’t that make you want to forgive him?”

Every time, I’d just smile and shake my head.

Once love had been broken, there was no way to make it exactly what it had been before.

A shattered heart was still shattered.

You could piece it back together perfectly, but the cracks would always remain.

Besides, my life was a thousand times better now than it had ever been.

I had my own shop.

My own friends.

A peaceful life that belonged entirely to me.

I didn’t need anyone to save me.

I didn’t need anyone to make up for the past.

I could give myself everything I needed to be happy.

That evening, after closing the shop, I walked home along the waterfront.

The setting sun painted the ocean in shades of orange and crimson.

Warm sea air brushed against my face.

As usual, Matteo followed several yards behind me.

He carried a small paper bag containing the tiramisu I loved.

I stopped.

Then I turned around.

Matteo immediately stopped too. He looked at me awkwardly, almost like a student waiting to be punished by his teacher.

I stared at him.

Suddenly, I was just tired of this.

“Matteo, stop waiting for me.”

My voice was soft, but every word was clear.

“It’s not going to change anything. I’m not going to forgive you. I’m not going back with you.”

I took a breath.

“The old Blair loved you so much she’d have given up her life for you.”

His face went still.

“But I’m Renee Blair.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“Renee doesn’t love you. And she never will.”

The color drained from Matteo’s face.

The paper bag in his hand nearly slipped to the ground.

He stared at me.

His lips moved, but for a long moment, no words came out.

The light in his eyes slowly died.

Like a fire burning down to nothing, leaving behind only cold ash.

I didn’t look at him again.

I turned around and kept walking.

The sunset stretched my shadow long across the pavement.

Behind me, Matteo didn’t follow.

I knew he’d understood.

Whether he stayed or left after that, whether he kept waiting or finally turned away, none of it

mattered to me anymore.

When I reached the corner, I looked up at the sky.

The evening clouds were painted in brilliant colors.

It was almost unbearably beautiful.

I drew in a deep breath.

Then, slowly, a smile touched my lips.

Nine years of love and heartbreak.

I was finally letting it all go.

Whatever distance lay between us from now on, we would each live our own lives and find our/own

happiness.

“I’m going home,” I whispered to myself.

My steps felt lighter as I walked toward the warm glow of the lights ahead.

Toward my little house.

My blooming jacaranda trees.

And the brand–new life that belonged to me.