I No Longer Want The Blessing You Brought From Snowy Mountain Chapter 05

I No Longer Want The Blessing You Brought From Snowy Mountain Chapter 05

The bus rolled out of town. The meadows and mountains slid past the window.

Five hours later, Denver. The city hit me like a wave—loud, fast, nothing like home.

I found a cheap motel and started job hunting.

I’d trained in religious art restoration—useless back home, but in the city, it opened doors.

I landed a job at a gallery, restoring old paintings.

Decent pay. The owner was a gentle man named Luke Harmon.

He looked at my portfolio and nodded approvingly.

“Dawn, right? Solid foundation. Keep it up.”

“Thank you, Luke.”

And just like that, new life.

I stayed busy. Learning the work. Learning the city.

So busy I didn’t have time to think about Ethan.

Three months later, I was in the studio when Luke walked in.

“Dawn. Someone’s here to see you.”

I frowned and went out.

When I saw Ethan, I froze. He was thinner, darker, eyes bloodshot.

When he saw me, his face lit up. “Dawn!”

He lunged to hug me. I sidestepped.

He froze, arm hanging in the air.

“Dawn. I looked everywhere for you.”

“How did you find me?”

“I asked your mom. She wouldn’t tell me at first. I begged her for days.”

His voice cracked. “Come home with me.”

“I’m not coming.”

“Why? Are you still mad?”

“I cut Elena off completely. She’s gone back east. I deleted her number, everything.”

“I told her straight—I love you. You’re the one I want to marry.”

“Dawn, I know I screwed up. My priorities were all out of whack. Just tell me there’s still a shot. Please.”

He pulled out a box and opened it.

Inside—a brand-new blessing scarf. Pure white.

“I went back to the mountain. One step, one kneel. More sincere than last time. This time, Dawn, it’s only for you.”

I looked at the scarf. Then at him.

“Ethan. The day I left—Gavin messaged me. He said you were taking Elena to the airport and that I should wait.”

He nodded. “Yes! I told him to tell you that.”

“But he also said you couldn’t let her go. Because you still had something to settle with her.”

Ethan’s face went white.

His lips parted, searching for words.

“I… I just—”

“You just wanted to see her off?”

He didn’t answer.

“Ethan. You wanted both of us. You didn’t want to let either one go. You wanted to marry me and keep her close.”

I held his eyes.

“But I’m not sharing my husband with anyone. You understand?”

“Even just as a friend?”

“No.”

I turned back into the studio.

“Dawn!”

He shouted from behind. “I nearly died getting that scarf! You really don’t want it?”

I didn’t look back.