Chapter 16
Claribel returned once.
At a charity concert.
Three years later.
We crossed paths.
She looked older.
Calmer.
No engagement ring.
She said:
“I heard Agnes is well.”
“Yes.”
“Elspie?”
“Nurse.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Then:
“Seraphine?”
“Good.”
She nodded.
No request.
Then she surprised me.
“I used to think if Seraphine returned, I would lose everything.”
I waited.
“I did lose you.”
True.
“But not because she returned.”
Better.
“Because I decided truth was my competition.”
There.
Late understanding.
Useful anyway.
We parted.
No reconciliation.
May you like
No punishment.
Just distance without lies.
