Chapter 1318:
She had taken on a new identity and continued her studies at the Royal Academy of Arts, quietly rebuilding herself from the ground up. Determined not to fall behind, she had delayed going to the hospital until the very last moment before giving birth, nearly losing her life in the process. Even as a single mother, she had completed her degree—traveling from place to place with her child while creating remarkable designs for Sweetberry. Her work, though released anonymously, had recently gained widespread recognition and praise.
Life without him had not been easy. But it had been meaningful, and driven entirely by her own purpose.
She smiled often now. And it was painfully clear that she no longer needed him to feel complete.
A sharp ache cut through Deandre’s chest. He pressed a hand over his heart, unable to accept that she could live a full life without him in it.
A week later, Melany folded the final piece of clothing into her suitcase and paused, letting her gaze sweep slowly across the room. The small apartment she had lived in for nearly a year was now something she was about to leave behind.
“Mom, where are we going?” her daughter, Evelina Cohen, asked curiously.
The little girl sat perched on the bed, her small legs swinging back and forth as she hugged a soft teddy bear against her chest.
“We’re going back to Eshea,” Melany said gently, stepping over to ruffle her hair. “It’s my hometown—and where my work is. So that’s where we’ll be.”
“Do they have lots of good food there?”
“Of course! All kinds of delicious food—everything you like.”
𝘠𝗼𝘂r 𝗇𝗲x𝘁 𝗳𝘢𝗏o𝘳𝘪𝗍𝘦 𝗋𝖾аd 𝗂s 𝗈𝘯 𝘨𝖺lոо𝘃𝘦𝗅ѕ.𝘤𝗼𝗆
Evelina’s eyes lit up instantly. “Is Carlos coming with us?”
Melany’s hands went still.
Carlos had come by every single day that week—helping with heavy things, playing with the child, lingering as though there was something he wanted to say but couldn’t bring himself to voice. She knew exactly what it was. She simply wasn’t ready to hear it.
Some things, she had come to understand, were never meant to happen.
Her phone vibrated softly. A message from Carlos. “You’re leaving tomorrow. Let me cook dinner for you and the little one tonight—one last time. Meet at the supermarket?”
Melany stared at the screen for a long, quiet moment.
One last time. The words settled in her mind. She let out a faint sigh, then typed a single reply.
“Okay.”
The supermarket gleamed beneath rows of bright overhead lights, every aisle sharply lit.
Melany guided the cart slowly through the aisles while Evelina sat inside, her wide eyes darting around with endless curiosity. Carlos kept pace beside them, occasionally lifting items from the shelves and holding them up with a quiet question.
“This cut of steak looks perfect—I’ll cook it for you tonight. And these vegetables are fresh; Evelina should have more of these. Melany, look at this—”
She interrupted him gently. “Carlos… you really don’t have to go to all this trouble.”
The smile on his face faltered slightly, though he kept it in place. “I just want you to have a proper meal tonight. That’s all.”
Evelina clapped happily from inside the cart. “You’re the best!”
His gaze lingered on the child for a moment, warmth filling his eyes almost to the brim, before he turned slowly back to Melany.
.
.
.