2#02

2

In hindsight, I realized those tears must have been for Luigi Collins and the parting words he had left her with.

During her prime, she hadn't married the man she truly cherished. I had to admit that this type of regret was one of life's deepest sorrows.

And now, as her time grew shorter, she refused to carry that burden to her final resting place. That was the reason behind her will, ensuring she could lie beside Luigi Collins in eternity.

As I stood there deep in thought, I noticed her struggling to pull her luggage from the bedroom, the silver strands at her temples more visible in the light.

My heart constricted and I felt a sudden wetness in my eyes.

Despite everything, she was the woman who had shared my life for so long. She had given tremendously to our family and her sacrifices were significant.

I found myself saying, "Allow me to drive you to the airport."

"Just to bid farewell."

She seemed ready to decline, but after a moment, she quietly agreed.

On the journey to the airport, she sat in the rear, silently gazing out the window. I remained quiet, feeling more like a chauffeur than her spouse.

Occasionally, I glimpsed her profile in the rearview mirror and conflicting emotions welled up inside me.

Questions burned within me. What had our years together meant to her? What about the family we'd created?

And what of the love I had invested in her?

However, I kept these words to myself, holding them back.

Because there was an expression on her face I had never witnessed before. It was a smile that exuded pure happiness like that of a young girl.

Even in what I thought were her happiest moments, she had never smiled like this.

When we arrived at the airport, Wanda quickly exited, pulling her suitcase behind her without a goodbye.

Her steps were quick and purposeful.

She was rushing towards her happiness, finally liberated from what she saw as decades of confinement.

Watching her walk away, I felt an overwhelming, unshakable sorrow.

Decades of my dedication, my unconditional love...

All of it... seemed meaningless.

As she left, she showed no hesitation or even the slightest hint of nostalgia.

It was as if every moment with me had been a burden.

Returning home, I felt empty as I sat in the wicker chair by the window, staring at the golden autumn leaves all afternoon.

I tried to convince myself to move on.

But it proved more challenging than I had anticipated.

Each moment after her departure felt like an endless period of silent anguish.

I tried not to dwell on her, but questions kept circling in my mind.

Had she reached Estoria safely?

She always disliked the cold. Had she packed warm enough clothes?

The cuisine there was so different from what she was accustomed to. Would she be able to adjust?

Would she miss our son, grandsons and... me?

Irritated, I wanted to strike myself for my weakness.

I berated myself as a fool, a pitiful dog chasing after someone who didn't care.

Snap out of it, Ethan Mitchell!

Wanda no longer loves you.

Or perhaps she never did.

I had merely been a substitute for Luigi Collins.

Three days passed in a fog of emptiness. Then, at last, my phone alerted me to an update from Wanda's social media.

For a brief moment, I felt relief that she hadn't blocked me.

But upon opening the post, it felt as if the world had crumbled beneath me.

There was a single photograph.

In a snow-covered, historic mansion, Wanda sat in a stunning crimson dress, beaming and elegant beside Luigi.

Behind them stood a group of people, their faces alight with joy.

And among them were my son, my daughter-in-law and my two grandsons.

They were all there, smiling with genuine happiness.

My chest tightened painfully as if a massive weight had settled on it, making it difficult to breathe.

No wonder they hadn't visited me in the past few days and hadn't even called once. They had gone to Estoria to see Luigi, keeping me uninformed.

It appeared that Wanda wasn't the only one who had betrayed me.

I lifted my gaze to the framed photograph on the wall.