Chapter 23: You Still Love Him, Don’t You?

(Regina's POV)

The sky outside was the kind of soft gray that made everything feel quieter than usual. In the corner of the library café, Regina sipped lukewarm coffee while absently flipping through a lesson plan she wasn't really reading.

It was their six-month anniversary.

She hadn't forgotten.She just didn't know what to do with it.

Julian arrived with a smile and a small, flat package wrapped in brown paper. He kissed the top of her head gently before sitting down across from her.

"For you," he said, pushing the package toward her.

Inside was a card—thick cardstock, dark blue, with her name handwritten in gold ink. And beneath it, a tiny pressed daisy in a clear pendant. She blinked. It was the same kind of flower she once told him she used to pick with her grandfather.

"I remembered," Julian said quietly. "You said they made you feel safe."

She smiled. A real one. Then whispered, "Thank you."But she didn't offer him a gift.She hadn't brought a card. Not even a note.

Julian watched her for a moment, then reached across the table and gently took her hand.

"You still love him, don't you?"

Her smile faltered.

She looked down at their intertwined fingers—his grip was warm, steady. Familiar.

But not electric.

Not like his.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, throat tightening.

Julian gave a small nod, then leaned back with a breath that sounded like acceptance and heartbreak tangled together.

"I kind of always knew," he admitted, eyes fixed on the window. "You looked happy. But not the kind of happy you used to be. Not the kind of happy that made you hum Beatles songs while brushing your hair."

Regina bit her lip. Her eyes stung.

"I really did try," she whispered.

"I know," he said.

Then he stood up and brushed the crumbs from his coat.

"I won't hold you back, Regina," he said gently. "I care about you too much for that."

She stood too, unsure what to say.

Julian stepped forward and hugged her—not possessively, not sadly. Just… kindly.

And when he let go, he said one last thing:

"Oh—one more thing. Connor's back."

The world tilted just a little.Her heart skipped something it hadn't skipped in months.She didn't even have time to ask before Julian turned and walked away.

Leaving her alone.Staring down at a card she didn't deserve.Wondering why her hands were suddenly shaking.And whether she could still remember the color of Connor's eyes without breaking.