It turned out everything he’d tried so hard to forget could all come rushing back with a single piece of news.
Henry smiled at himself, half amused and half helpless, then lay back down.
The next day after work, when he saw Maddie standing at the company entrance, Henry thought for a moment that he hadn’t slept well and was hallucinating.
It wasn’t until Maddie stepped forward and looped her arm through his that he realized: Maddie had really come back.
Henry awkwardly pulled his arm out of her grip.
Maddie raised an eyebrow, unfazed, casual as ever. "Where are we eating dinner tonight?"
Her familiar scent drifted into Henry’s nose, and he took an involuntary step back. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and finally managed, "You’re back?"
Maddie tossed her hair with a hint of impatience. "I’ve been standing here waiting for you forever—I’m exhausted. Find us a seat first, then we can talk."
Henry looked resigned and forced a smile. "Maddie, I have a girlfriend now."
Maddie’s eyes widened; she looked at him with mock innocence. "I heard from Evan. Just because you have a girlfriend now, you can’t treat an old friend to a meal?"
Henry shook his head. "It’s… not appropriate."
Maddie’s lips puckered, brows knitting into a delicate frown, and two feigned tears started to glisten at the corners of her eyes.
Henry’s head practically exploded. Maddie only ever needed two moves with him.
One: act cute. Two: cry.
Henry knew most of her tears were performance—a tool to get to him, not true sorrow—but he couldn’t stand seeing her cry.
His phone rang suddenly. He glanced at the screen; Claire’s name lit up. His expression tightened and he stepped aside to answer. "Hello?"
Claire’s cheerful voice came through. "Henry, what time will you be home? Do you want braised ribs tonight? I’ll pick some up after work."
Henry hesitated for a heartbeat, but his mouth answered faster than his brain. "I’m working late. Don’t bother cooking—just grab something for yourself."
"Working late? When will you be done?"
"Oh—it’s the whole department staying late for a deadline. I don’t know. Don’t wait up for me. Get some rest. Eat well tonight—don’t just throw something together."
There was a faint edge of panic beneath Henry’s concern.
Claire’s disappointed tone brightened immediately. "Okay, got it. You do the same."
When he hung up, Maddie was standing there with a smug little smile.
At Maddie’s insistence, they went to the steakhouse on Fourth Circle Avenue where they’d used to go on dates.
"Hmm, nothing’s changed. It still feels the way I like it," Maddie sighed, swirling her wine.
"It’s changed. The waitstaff’s cycled through so many times I bet the owner’s changed too," Henry muttered.
"You’re so hopelessly literal. Can’t you say something more pleasant?" Maddie teased.
"My girlfriend likes me this way," Henry said flatly.
Maddie pretended not to hear and leisurely speared a piece of steak, chewing thoughtfully.
A soft piano melody suddenly filled the restaurant.
"It’s ‘LOVE’—not bad, though the emotional expression is a little off," Maddie commented, glass swaying.
Henry felt disoriented. Maddie looked so familiar and yet utterly foreign.
She had left once, ignoring their eight years together and both families’ objections, insisting on going abroad to pursue her music dream.
When Henry blinked, she wasn’t across from him anymore. He looked around.
Maddie had moved to the front and was now sitting at the piano, spine straight, smiling broadly when her eyes met his.
Her long fingers danced across the keys, and soon the room was filled with beautiful music.
When she finished, a man standing beside her applauded enthusiastically.
Henry didn’t know much about piano, but judging by the scene he could tell Maddie was excellent.
"How was that? This one’s for you—’Acommeamour,’" she said, clinking her glass against his.
Henry’s heart thudded. He avoided her gaze and mumbled, "We’re almost done—let’s go."
Maddie raised an eyebrow but didn’t object. That was agreement.
Henry saw her expression and quickly reached for the bill.
They fell into an easy rhythm like they’d never been apart; Maddie smiled satisfied.
The man who’d been clapping approached—tall, polite, with a warm smile. Henry was surprised he was handling the bill.
"Card," Henry said, pulling out a card.
The man waved him off. "Your meal is on the house tonight."
When Henry looked puzzled, the man handed him a business card. "I’m the owner. This young lady’s piano was fantastic. I also run an arts academy. I’d love the chance to work with her."
Henry took the card; the front bore two bold characters: "Cole Harrison."
"Mr. Harrison, thank you, but please—it’s our treat," Henry insisted, holding out his card again.
Cole glanced at the two of them. Maddie smiled without comment. Henry persisted; Cole smiled faintly and accepted Henry’s card. "Alright. Next time, don’t be shy."
Henry stayed silent. Maddie reached out and took the business card, beaming. "Thank you, Mr. Harrison. We’ll call you next time."
"Please do," Cole said with an open smile.
"Heh—next time you come alone. I won’t be coming," Henry grumbled as they left.
"Ooh, are you jealous?" Maddie teased, looping her arm back through his.
Henry jerked away. His voice flared. "Maddie, let’s be clear—when you left without looking back, that was the end. We are over. There’s no ‘us’ anymore."
By the last words his voice had dropped.
Maddie didn’t reply. Suddenly she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her face to his neck—the gesture they used to fall into without thinking.
Henry didn’t pull her off, but he didn’t sweep her into his arms the way he used to either.
"I’m sorry, Henry. I’m sorry. I was wrong," Maddie’s trembling voice whispered in his ear after a long moment.
That night when Henry got home, Claire was curled up on the couch, asleep in a tiny bundle.
His heart ached. He scooped her up. As he lifted her, she woke, looping an arm around his neck and rubbing her sleepy eyes. "You’re back? Are you hungry? I made soup—it’s warm. Want a bowl?"
Henry carried her into the bedroom and tucked her in completely. "Go to sleep. I’m not hungry. Don’t sleep on the couch anymore—you could catch a cold."
Claire grabbed his sleeve and touched his face. "Why are you so pale? Have you been working too hard? Want to take a few days off?"
Henry looked at her deeply but kept his expression calm. Inside, his thoughts crashed like waves. When Maddie left, he couldn’t move on for a long time. Claire had healed him with her brightness and sweetness. He couldn’t let her down—he couldn’t lose this hard-won stability and love.
He nodded at Claire and, as if it came naturally, said, "Okay. I’ll take a few days off. You take a few days too. Let’s go home to Riverton and talk to my parents about getting married."
Claire blinked, surprised. "Didn’t we agree to wait until next year?"
Henry sat on the bed and wrapped his arms around her. "I want to marry you sooner."
Her smile widened until it lit her face. "What are you in such a hurry for? I’m not going anywhere."
They went back to Riverton the next day. Henry was thirty-three. His parents had been anxious for a while; of course they approved. Claire’s parents were more reluctant—she was only twenty-four and they wanted her around for a couple more years.
At the table Henry laid out the house deed and bank card, earnest. "Uncle, Aunt, I’ve already bought the place. I’ve talked it over with my parents; I’ll add Claire’s name right away. There’s $20,000 in the account as a dowry. If you have any other requests, tell me."
Claire’s mother hesitated and gently said, "We don’t object to you being together. It’s just that Claire just graduated and her job isn’t stable yet. We hoped she’d focus on work a little more and maybe delay marriage a couple years."
"Aunt, I fully support Claire’s career. Nothing will change after marriage," Henry assured her.
"But…" Claire snuggled against her mother’s arm and teased, "Mom, you said you’d be okay as long as I want it."
They set the wedding for October.
Back in the city, Henry and Claire added her name to the property deed and booked their wedding photos. Everything moved forward in steady order.
Maddie never contacted Henry again. Henry acted as if she had never reappeared.
Claire didn’t like traditional wedding photos and chose a studio known for its street-style shoots. On the day of the shoot they wandered through the city’s neighborhoods.
The last stop was Fourth Circle Avenue: rows of skyscrapers and glaring neon, the nightlife dazzling. They walked hand in hand while the photographer followed, searching for angles.
At the end of the long day, Claire pointed eagerly at the steakhouse. "This is supposed to be the best steakhouse on Fourth Circle. Let’s eat here tonight."
Henry looked up and for a moment froze.
Claire tugged him forward without hesitation.
He resisted, and Claire turned back puzzled.
Henry gave an awkward smile. "I’m exhausted. Let’s just go home and eat something simple. I want to rest."
Claire obediently nodded but sounded disappointed. "Danny told me the steak here is amazing. We should come back sometime."
Something pricked Henry’s chest. He grabbed Claire’s hand and pulled her toward the door. "Come on. Let’s eat."
Claire clutched his arm and cried out delighted, "You’re the best, husband."
Inside, Henry’s eyes shot to the piano.
A young woman in a white dress sat with her back to the door, playing.
Claire took out her phone and began snapping photos. "This place is so elegant. The owner has good taste."
"Hey."
They had just sat down when Cole walked over.
Henry stiffened. Cole smiled and nodded at him. "Miss Maddie is here today too."
Henry froze completely. He instinctively looked toward that white figure. When the piece ended, the girl turned around—sure enough, it was Maddie Wells.
Claire followed Henry’s gaze forward.
A tall girl with pale skin and striking features was walking in their direction.
She stopped beside Cole, tossing her hair with one hand and extending the other to Claire, confidence and poise radiating off her. "Hello, I’m Maddie Wells."
Claire hurriedly reached out. "Hi, I’m Claire Bennett."
Maddie gave Henry a smile. "The filet was good today. You should like it."
Henry showed no expression and didn’t respond.
Sensing the awkwardness, Cole nodded politely at Claire. "Enjoy your meal, you two. We’ll go over there."
He gestured to Maddie with a discreet inviting motion. "Let’s sit that way."
Maddie shot Henry a meaningful look, then followed Cole.
Claire tested, "Are they your friends?"
Henry blinked back to himself and, under the table, wiped the sweat from his palm on his pants. He forced a smile. "Not friends. What do you want to eat?"
Claire was simple but not stupid—she’d noticed Henry’s oddness. She kept her tone casual. "Maddie said the filet was good, so I’ll have that."
The Moonlight He Couldn't Forget
Henry pretended he hadn't heard and stared at the menu for a long time before answering, "I'm too tired to have much appetite. I'll have the pasta."
When it came time to pay, Henry turned and saw Cole and Maddie seated at a table a little to the side. They seemed deep in conversation—Cole calm and composed, Maddie smiling with practiced charm.
On the walk home, Claire and Henry were silent the whole way.
Claire had a lot of questions, but she didn't ask a single one.
The next day Henry was in a meeting when the hospital called. They said Maddie had been in an accident.
Henry rushed to the hospital in a panic and found Cole there too.
Maddie had been in a car crash and was unconscious. The nurse said the most recent contacts in her phone were Henry and Cole.
"Who are the patient's family members? It's urgent—we need signatures for surgery. Family, please come sign."
Henry and Cole exchanged a look and both shook their heads.
The nurse grew anxious. "Is there any way to contact her relatives?"
Henry hesitated, about to speak, but the nurse couldn't wait and hurried into the operating room.
After a while, the younger nurse came running back out. Henry hurried over. "What happens now?"
"Our superior signed. Surgery's starting soon. Wait here," she said.
Henry wiped his forehead. Cole handed him a bottle of water just in time.
"Don't worry. Miss Maddie should be fine," Cole reassured.
"Mr. Harrison, what are you doing here? You and Maddie—?"
Henry stammered.
"Oh, then. I heard Miss Maddie play the piano last time and liked her—so I left my card."
Cole explained smoothly, "Later she contacted me because I run an arts training center. I invited her to talk about a possible collaboration at the steakhouse yesterday. That's when we happened to run into Mr. Henry and his girlfriend."
Cole was clever and quick to explain. For some reason Henry felt a secret relief.
"Mr. Henry, your girlfriend seems so sweet and cute. She might suit you better than Miss Maddie," Cole said out of nowhere.
The remark was oddly blunt given their relationship. Henry was stunned. Cole rose. "Considering Miss Maddie's upcoming limited mobility, if you have contact info for her family, you should notify them. I have another matter— I'll go."
He said goodbye to Henry and left.
Henry sat outside the operating room in a daze.
He had Maddie's parents' numbers. After all, they had been that close—just one signature short of marriage papers back then.
But Maddie's parents were older. When their daughter insisted on studying abroad, both had been gravely ill; their health had been shaky ever since.
How frantic would they be if they knew Maddie had been in an accident? It wasn't something Maddie would want.
Henry flipped through his phone, but ultimately didn't call.
By the time Maddie came out of surgery, she was awake and in tears when she saw Henry. "Henry, I'm in so much pain."
Henry felt a tug in his chest and reached out to hold her hand. "It's okay. It'll get better soon. Want me to get you something to eat?"
"Henry, please don't tell my parents—they'll worry," Maddie begged, eyes pleading.
The words "then who will take care of you" hovered in Henry's mind before he swallowed them and nodded. "Okay, I'll get you something."
"I want soup dumplings, with lots of vinegar."
When he agreed, a smile lifted Maddie's pale face.
Henry fed her soup and dumplings and coaxed her to sleep, and only then did he realize it was night.
He checked his phone: eighteen missed calls.
Claire's unread messages numbered over thirty: "Honey, what are we having for dinner?" "Where are you?" "Why aren't you answering?" "What's going on?" "Don't scare me—did something happen?" "Pick up!!!"
Henry called her back immediately. Claire answered in a second. "Henry, where did you go? Are you okay?"
"Claire, sorry. A friend had an accident. I'm at the hospital."
"Oh, is your friend okay? Which hospital? I'll come over now."
"No, it's fine. She's okay now. I'll come home. Have you eaten?"
"No, I'm still at the mall."
"Were you going to shop? Are you with Danny?"
There's a pause, then Claire said quietly, "We were supposed to go look at wedding rings today."
Henry smacked his forehead and apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry—I forgot. I'm such an idiot. I was nervous. Can we do it tomorrow?"
"Okay. Come to the mall and pick me up."
Claire hung up and sat at a café to wait. She felt an odd unease. Henry was always meticulous and thoughtful, never careless. He adored Claire and never forgot things that mattered to her. Yet he had completely forgotten they were supposed to look at wedding rings. That wasn't like him.
Which friend had been in an accident to cause this?
Claire frowned. Her coffee went cold with only a few sips taken.
Henry put his phone down and realized Maddie had woken. She watched him quietly and Henry's throat constricted. He couldn't bring himself to say, "I have to go."
"Henry, I want banana milk," Maddie whimpered.
"It's late. I'll bring some tomorrow. I should go home now," Henry said, turning his head to avoid her.
"I was at the food street by State University at noon. Seeing so many familiar places made me dizzy, and I crossed the road without watching," Maddie said, speaking in a small, wronged voice.
"You're so reckless. That street has a lot of traffic," Henry scolded before he could stop himself.
"Don't be mad. My leg hurts so much. The doctors said if the surgery had gone wrong I could've been disabled. If I'm disabled, would anyone want me?" Tears brimmed again.
"What are you talking about? You're fine," Henry snapped, irritated and on edge.
"You're being mean. You never talk to me like that," Maddie turned away, crying into her pillow.
"Sorry, Maddie. I didn't mean that. My girlfriend's waiting for me. If you're okay, I'll go," Henry said.
"Go then," she answered without looking.
He forced himself up and left.
He hadn't even cleared the parking lot when the hospital called again. "Are you a family member? What are you doing? You left the patient alone—she fell in the bathroom, did you know?"
Henry slammed the brakes and ran back.
Before he reached the door he heard a nurse scolding Maddie, "If you don't want this leg, keep acting like this next time."
"I'm sorry, sister nurse. I couldn't help it. I was stuck," Maddie replied through hissing, pained sounds.
The nurse saw Henry and unleashed on him. "Your girlfriend acts like this and you go rest? What kind of responsibility is that?"
Henry apologized, flustered. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the trouble."
Claire's chest sank further when she got Henry's unclear call.
Henry didn't go home that night. Claire tossed and turned and took the next day off to go to the steakhouse.
The place was quiet at lunchtime. She showed a photo of Cole and Maddie to a server and asked if they could reach them.
The server hesitated until Cole suddenly appeared and waved the employee away.
Claire smoothed her bangs and felt awkward. "Sorry to bother you."
Cole waved his hand and smiled slightly. "No problem. Let's chat while we eat. The ribeye is great today—want to try it?"
Claire nodded. "I like ribeye—it's rich in flavor."
"A connoisseur. Seems Miss Bennett's had her share of steak." Cole grinned, pleased.
"I do like it, but I don't eat much because Henry doesn't. Are you Henry's friend?" Claire asked casually, though her eyes betrayed her nervousness as she stared at Cole.
Cole's narrow eyes narrowed a bit. He gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Sorry, we're not friends. I probably can't help you much."
Claire frowned, looking out at the busy street and the endless cars. After a long pause she asked, "Then is Miss Maddie your friend?"
Cole shook his head again. "No. My arts center has some collaboration with her."
He thought a moment, then added, "If you have doubts, why not ask Mr. Carter directly?"
"No. If he won't say it, I won't ask. People all have pasts and privacy," Claire said, her voice low.
"Aren't you afraid his past might hurt you?" Cole asked, curious about the girl in front of him.
"If he lets his past hurt me, then he doesn't love me enough. Someone who doesn't love me enough—why would I let them hurt me?" Claire's mouth flattened into a thin line; her round face looked serious.
Cole raised an eyebrow and nodded approvingly. "Pretty, clear-minded, big-hearted. If Henry Carter ever hurts you, it'll be his loss."
"Thanks for the compliment. You should know: not every pretty girl is a clueless sweetheart. By the way—what's your name?" Claire replied calmly. She was outgoing and self-assured; she never did awkward false modesty in response to a sincere compliment.
Cole handed her a business card.
"Oh—you’re the boss. So does that mean today's meal is on the house?" Claire grabbed a bite of her steak, eyes half-closed in enjoyment as she asked.
"Of course. Miss Bennett is welcome anytime," Cole laughed.
"Henry, I'm at your company. They said you're on leave for five days. I want to know where you are," Claire's voice over the phone was small and steady. But Henry broke out in a cold sweat.
"Claire, listen—my friend, she was in an accident. It's serious. I'm here taking care of her," Henry stammered.
"Helping a friend is good. Why can't you tell me that straight? Where are you now? I'll come see your friend, too."
"I'm—well, never mind. You're tired from work. You should go home and rest," Henry tried to dodge.
"Henry, I want to come now." Claire enunciated each word slowly.
"I'm at Fifth City Hospital." Henry said it and then slumped down in the chair beside Maddie's bed, defeated.
Maddie sipped her porridge quietly and asked nothing.
When Claire arrived, Maddie was directing Henry on how to slice an apple. "Cut it in half. I can't eat so much. Yes—give me the right half."
"Miss Wells, we meet again," Henry said. Hearing Claire, he accidentally tilted the knife and cut his hand; blood spurted out.
"Maddie!" Someone exclaimed. "Henry, you're bleeding—put it down!"
Claire watched the two of them scramble to stop the bleeding and bandage his hand with an indifferent expression, utterly still, as if none of it involved her. Previously, she'd nagged Henry for less—if he lost a single hair he'd hear about it.
"Claire, you're here? You—didn't you go to work today?" Henry forced a stiff smile at her.
"Miss Wells, do you have any other friends or family? It seems awkward for you to be tended by a male friend who isn't that close." Claire ignored Henry and addressed Maddie directly.
Maddie shrugged. "I just returned to the country. I've only been in contact with Henry." She shot Henry a sharp look.
"I suggest you hire a nurse aide. It'd be more convenient," Claire added, not missing the tension in Maddie's glance.
"I have germ issues. I don't like strangers touching me," Maddie answered, straightening her posture with no intention of backing down.
"Henry, do you think it's appropriate to be so intimately caring for a female friend?" Claire turned to Henry. Her hand clenched without her meaning to.
Henry glanced at Maddie. Maddie planted both hands on the headboard, pushing herself up as much as she could. Her legs made things difficult; sweat beaded on her brow as she gritted her teeth to persevere. The sight made Henry's stomach tighten.
"Claire, I promise—when Maddie leaves the hospital we'll stop contacting each other," Henry pleaded softly.
"You're a grown man. Caring for a woman that closely is inappropriate. We can help hire a nurse aide and cover the costs." Claire kept her tone even, patient.
Henry didn't catch the restraint behind her calm and kept begging. "You're always reasonable, Claire. Don't make an issue. She's picky—an aide can't manage. Believe me, I mean nothing by it. I just can't ignore her right now."
"Last time I’ll ask: are you sure you want to take such intimate care of a female friend?" Claire's stare was unwavering.
Henry's face crumpled with discomfort. "Claire, it's a special situation—can't you…"
She turned and left before he finished.
Henry chased after her. Claire walked steadily all the way to the hospital entrance without stopping.
"Claire, listen to me." He was out of breath.
She halted without expression. "Okay. Say it."
"Maddie—she's my ex. We broke up a long time ago. I really don't have feelings for her anymore," Henry blurted.
"Fine. I believe you. But I insist there should be boundaries between men and women. It's inappropriate for you to be so close physically with her. We can contact her family, or hire a nurse aide. Will you cooperate?" Claire's gaze was firm. She'd always been decisive—she'd dated Henry despite being nine years younger and knowing his rocky past because she believed his gaze held a light and his temperament was gentle. She trusted that his age and history shouldn't be barriers to true love.
Henry knew Claire's nature and gripped her hand tightly, as if afraid she'd bolt. His features twisted with pleading. "Claire, please. Just this once. One time, okay?"
Her eyes cooled. She shook his hand off hard. "Henry, I gave you chances. You didn't cherish them." Then she turned and left.
Henry watched her go, murmuring helplessly as his hand fell limply at his side.
When Maddie finally left the hospital, Henry went home to find Claire's things gone—so cleanly removed it was as if she had never been there. He called; it went straight to voice mail, probably because she had blocked him. He went to Claire's company anyway, brazen.
Claire didn't hide. Facing him, her tone was cold with a trace of disdain. "Henry, since you've made your choice, don't come bothering me. Don't make me regret choosing you."
Those words stung Henry badly.
Maddie continued to be unsteady after discharge—she'd drop a pan one day, break a cane the next—and Henry was constantly there to pick up the pieces. After four months, she finally got back on her feet.
She and Henry never cleared the air. Their relationship trudged along in that awkward gray.
Near the end of the year, Cole called to check on Maddie. After she confirmed she was better, he asked her to come to the Arts Center. When Henry drove her there, he saw Claire for the first time in months—she was learning guitar, and, to his surprise, Cole was the instructor.
Henry froze. Seeing Claire beam at Cole brought back memories.
Maddie looped her arm through Henry's and pulled him inside. Cole saw them first, set his guitar aside, and nodded. "Mr. Carter, Miss Wells."
Claire didn't look up. She kept studying the guitar in her lap.
The three of them went to Cole's office. Once seated, Cole got straight to the point. "Miss Wells, sorry—I need to break our previous contract from my side. I'll compensate you according to the contract for any losses."
Maddie frowned. "Mr. Harrison—is this because I couldn't work while injured?"
Cole waved a hand. "No. You deserved to rest. It's not because of that. It's for personal reasons of my own."
Practical, Maddie didn't press. "Okay. I haven't been able to work for months, and you've kept paying me. I appreciate it—no need for compensation. Let's terminate the contract immediately."
Cole handed over the contract; Maddie signed without hesitation. Henry hadn't said a word the whole time.
As they rose to leave, Cole stopped them. "Sorry, there's one more thing I need Mr. Carter's help with."
Henry blinked and pointed to himself. "Me? What is it?"
Cole's expression casual, as if asking to join for lunch. "Your deed had Claire's name added to it before. We should find a convenient time to remove it."
Henry was speechless. Maddie reacted fast; she forced a stiff smile and extended her hand toward Cole. "Congratulations, Mr. Harrison."
Cole didn't shake it—just nodded. "Thank you, Miss Wells."
"Is our contract termination because of Miss Bennett?" Maddie asked.
Cole nodded matter-of-factly. "My girlfriend is a bit naive and had opinions about Miss Wells. I didn't want her upset over such matters, so I made this decision. The decision isn't because of her—it's because I wanted to please her."
Maddie felt embarrassed and resentful. Henry stayed in stunned silence for a long time before he finally said, unbelieving, "Claire is your girlfriend?"
Cole ignored him and asked, "Mr. Carter—when are you available? Let's handle this together."
Henry had avoided contacting Claire to remove her name from the deed because, as long as her name remained, he liked the feeling that she might still come back someday.
Maddie nudged the dazed Henry. "What are you spacing out for? Mr. Harrison asked when you're free."
"I—I'm available anytime," Henry answered, head down, dejected.
"Okay, then tomorrow. Ten a.m. at the property office," Cole decided on the spot.
"But shouldn't we ask Claire first?" Henry hesitated.
"No—this was decided between us. Today is just to confirm a time with Mr. Carter," Cole said briskly, his decisiveness sharp against Henry's uncertainty.
Maddie couldn't help but frown.
When they were doing the paperwork, Claire was ice-cold, not once giving Henry or Maddie so much as a glance.
Outside the gate, Cole looped an arm around Claire’s shoulders and teased, “Now that her name’s gone, your net worth just shrank two million. Don’t you feel bad?”
Claire sneered.
“I don’t want anything to do with that kind of person. Five million isn’t worth it.”
Cole grinned again. “So you still can’t let him go? You’re not over him if you still look like that when you see him.”
Claire’s tone turned flat. “It’s not that I can’t let him go. It’s disgust. I don’t want to see him. When I see him being weak and wavering, I get angry that I was ever so blind.”
Cole shrugged. “And what about you? Didn’t you say Maddie’s artistic talent is amazing, that you really admire her?”
Claire gave him a sidelong look, eyes on him.
Cole waved a hand, brimming with bravado. “Anything that upsets my girlfriend shouldn’t exist. That’s just how my world works.”
Claire pressed her lips together and smiled, secretly amused.
Meanwhile, Henry and Maddie got into the car. Henry’s brow was knit so tight he didn’t say a word.
Maddie sneered. “What, you can’t let go? If you really can’t, just give the house to her.”
Henry blurted out, “Claire’s not that kind of person. She wouldn’t take it.”
Maddie’s face changed. Her voice shot up. “Henry, what do you mean by that? Who’s ‘that kind of person’? Are you talking about me?”
Suddenly a wave of exhaustion washed over Henry. He muttered, “That’s not what I meant,” and shut his mouth.
Maddie looked at him and felt even more sour. Claire had left Henry and then hooked up with Cole—how could that be? Cole was handsome, successful, decisive; compared to him, Henry was nothing.
Why did Claire so easily get everything Maddie had schemed and still couldn’t win?
She slammed the door at home so hard it rattled.
Normally Henry would have rushed over and cajoled her, but today he did nothing.
Her phone chimed. A message from her German advisor flashed across the screen.
She didn’t dare ignore it and opened it right away.
Maddie’s advisor was a nearly fifty-year-old German man who had always looked out for her and praised her talent without reserve. When she graduated he had even pushed for her to stay on as faculty despite opposition.
But that century-old school had strict requirements for hires.
Maddie didn’t meet several of the hard criteria, so nothing had been finalized.
Her advisor had hinted that if she and he formed a family, it would greatly increase her chances of staying.
Back then, Maddie had been thrown into a panic by the news that Henry already had a girlfriend and was going to marry her. She hadn’t been in a place to seriously consider the advisor’s suggestion.
In her heart, she’d believed Henry would wait for her forever.
In a bout of impulse she’d flown home.
She’d assumed the faculty position would be off the table and had stopped thinking about returning.
But her advisor truly liked her and had kept trying.
Maddie stared at the email and hesitated.
A few days later, she sat in the airport terminal, clutching her phone, rewriting the message a dozen times until the last possible second before the plane took off. Then she sent it:
“Henry, I’m sorry. I’m leaving you again.
I got a notice from the conservatory—my teacher applied for me to be kept on as faculty. I was torn because of you, but I decided to take it.
Do you know? When Evan told me you had a girlfriend, I hurt so much I thought I’d die. I just had one thought: I had to see you.
I couldn’t wait a moment. I bought a ticket home.
When I saw you, I was sure you still loved me. Your eyes couldn’t lie.
But when I saw Claire, I wasn’t sure anymore. Look at the way you looked at her—so warm, so joyful, full of love.
Maybe what we felt for each other was more unresolved than unwilling to let go. Don’t blame me—I did love you for eight years.”
Henry read the message while visiting a client on Fourth Circle Avenue.
He stared at his phone with a numb expression and, by chance, turned to the window to watch the bustling traffic on Fourth Circle Avenue. So many cars, so many people. But the only thing he saw was Claire and Cole—she was laughing, leaping into his arms.
