Chapter 6
The kind man Jasper was talking about?
He turned out to be someone from my past–my college classmate.
His name’s Liam.
Back in school, he was the guy.
The star quarterback, top of his class, every girl’s crush.
We hadn’t seen each other in nine years.
But somehow, he looked exactly the same.
Not a single wrinkle, not even a hint of time on his face.
Funny thing? His seat was right next to ours.
He gently smoothed Jasper’s hair, careful not to wake him.
“Can’t believe you’ve got a kid already,” he said softly.
“I still remember you being the queen of campus.”
“I had the biggest crush on
I smiled, but something in me ached.
That girl he remembered? She was long gone.
Back in college, we were both business majors.
He was the golden boy, I was the golden girl–smart, driven, always smiling.
Professors used to joke we were made for each other.
After graduation, I joined Declan’s company, full of hope and big dreams.
I worked hard, learned fast, felt like I was building something real.
Then one night, Declan got drunk.
I took him home.
He wouldn’t let go of my hand, begged me not to leave.
I thought he felt the same way.
So I stayed.
That one night gave me Jasper.
But marrying Declan?
That was when the world turned gray.
He grew cold.
Distant.
13:03
Burnt Beauty Family Beasts
46.3%
Chapter 6
His indifference made me question everything.
I thought maybe I wasn’t good enough.
So I gave more.
Half of myself went to keeping him fed, clothed, and cared for.
The other half? To our son–my everything.
In the process, I lost myself.
I stopped smiling.
Stopped being me.
And no matter how much I gave, he never gave back.
Still, I made excuses.
Told myself he loved me, just in his own way.
Then one day, I overheard him talking with his friend.
“Eight years, man. Elodie’s back. Why haven’t you divorced yet?”
“If she hadn’t left back then, you wouldn’t have gotten wasted that night and picked up two strays.”
Declan laughed, totally unapologetic.
When he talked about me, there was nothing but contempt.
“She’s just a stand–in,” he said.
“Easy to keep around.”
“Elodie’s the one you pamper.”
“Every man needs someone to handle the dirty work at home.”
And just like that, everything made sense.
I wasn’t his wife.
I was the live–in maid.
These past eight years?
A joke, all because Elodie walked out and I walked in.
What a cruel twist of fate.
I’d believed marriage was like a final exam.
If I just studied harder, worked harder, loved harder–I’d pass.
But the truth?
I was doomed the moment I signed that marriage license.
Because the score was already written.
13:03
Burnt Beauty, Family Beasts
46.6%
Chapter 6
Zero.
They say the best time to plant a tree was ten years ago.
The second–best time?
Right now.
I’ve let go of the love that was never mine.
And I’ve finally made the right call.
Jasper and I–we’ve still got a long road ahead.
But I believe every step will lead us somewhere brighter.
Somewhere better.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re beginning our final descent.”
“Please check around your seat for any personal belongings.”
“We hope you had a pleasant flight.”
It felt like waking up from a long, strange dream.
Like I’d relived my whole life in reverse.
All the pain, all the regrets–they’re staying behind.
And I?
I’m moving forward.
I turned to Jasper, still rosy–cheeked and sleepy.
“You ready to start our new life, sweetheart?”
He smiled, big and proud.
“I’m ready, Mommy.”
“And from now on, I wanna see you smile every single day.”
♡ (0)
(0)
