He Put Our Love on Pause, Then Married Her Behind My Back Chapter 09

My new job kept me busy. I often didn’t get home until well after dark.

But being busy meant I thought about what had happened less and less.

On weekends, I’d shop for groceries and come home to make a pot of soup. Grandma’s little sewing kit sat

by the window.

Once, while trying to sew a button back onto a shirt, I couldn’t get the thread through the needle. I sat under the desk lamp, trying over and over. Then, suddenly, I was blinking back tears.

Grandma used to take over with a smile, teasing me for being all thumbs. Now there was no one to thread the needle for me.

I sat with my head down for a while. Then I sewed the button back on.

That night, I cooked a little extra pasta for myself. After I ate, I felt a little less empty.

A year later, I sent Ethan the final payment. I sent him the transfer screenshot with a short message.

[Paid in full.]

It took him a long time to reply.

[Got it.]

I stared at those two words for a while, then deleted the contact I’d kept just for the repayments. Now even

that last tie between us was gone.

When Maya came over with a bag of fruit, she lingered in the doorway, looking around.

“This place is nice.”

I invited her in and poured her a glass of water. A paper bag sat on the console by the door.

She noticed it.

“What’s in there?”

I opened it for her. Inside were the bracelet and a few movie tickets.

I’d finally bagged them up, ready to go out with the trash.

Maya watched me fold the top of the bag closed and sighed softly,

“You’re finally letting them go.”

“Yeah. No point keeping them now.”

On the second anniversary of Grandma’s death, I went to the cemetery. I’d barely reached the gate when I

spotted Ethan and his family in the distance.

Evelyn and Luke were there, too. Sophie stood at the back, holding a bouquet.

They looked as if they’d been there a while, but none of them came over. I went to Grandma’s grave alone,

laid down my flowers, and arranged them carefully.

Grandma smiled in the photo, her eyes kind. I crouched down and spoke softly.

“Grandma, I’ve got a steady job now. I’ve paid back everything I owed. You don’t have to worry about me

anymore.”

No one behind me said a word. When I stood, Ethan approached slowly.

The flowers in his hand were a little crushed. His voice was low.

“Can I leave these for Grandma?”

I stepped aside.

“Go ahead.”

He walked over and gently laid down the flowers. He stood there for a long time before he finally spoke, his

voice rough.

“I’m sorry.”

Luke came forward, too, his eyes red.

“Claire, I’m sorry. I was an asshole that day.”

I glanced at him and said nothing. I gathered my things and turned to leave.

Ethan followed me to the cemetery gate. The wind ruffled his hair as he stopped a couple of steps away.

“Claire, will you ever forgive me?”

I didn’t answer that. I looked down and adjusted my bag strap.

“I won’t wait for you anymore.”

I walked down the steps. He stayed where he was and didn’t follow.

Maya’s car was parked at the curb. She rolled down the window and waved me over.

“Come on, get in. I’ve already booked your tickets.”

I got in, slowly folded the paper wrapping from my flowers, and set it by my feet.

She started the car.

“Your tickets are for three p.m. this weekend. That work for you?”

I glanced at the e-ticket on my phone.

“Yeah. Grandma used to say I was always too busy and should get out and see some new places when I

could.”

Maya handed me a tissue with a little snort.

“Then listen to her this time.”

As we drove away from the cemetery, I lowered my head and wiped away my tears.

It was dark by the time I got home. I straightened the framed photo of Grandma, then ladled myself a bowl of hot soup.

A quiet life was enough.