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Leonard’s Epilogue
She left.
The woman who loved me for ten years, who once risked her life to protect me, was
forever.
gong
Sitting in this small, familiar diner, memories of her smiling face come flooding back. “I’m your guardian angel. I’ll stand by you forever,” she’d said with such conviction.
At the time, I thought, “What more could a man ask for than to have a woman like this by his
ide?”
But now, I finally understand. A lifetime is far too long. In just ten years, I managed to lose her
forever.
“Alas…
I really thought you two could…” She trailed off, her expression a mix of pity and regret.
The owner came over to clear the table, sighing deeply. That was the last straw. I couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face as I looked at her with.
despair.
“Madam, I want so badly to start over with her. Why won’t she give me another chance?”
She shook her head with a sad smile. “You silly boy, I don’t know what happened between you two, but she’s right. Some things can be undone, but others… once missed, they’re gone forever.”
I now understood the truth behind the saying: People only knew the value of what they’d lost
once it was gone.
In the days that followed, thoughts of her haunted me.
Walking down the street, I’d remember how she used to hold my hand on our outings.
I often ate at restaurants we used to frequent and ordered the same dishes, but without her
there, the food never tasted the same.
Nights were the worst. I often woke up suddenly, my pillow soaked with tears. I must have met her again in my dreams without realizing it.
I
Why was I so blind? Why didn’t I cherish the woman who fought for me, who loved me with all her heart for ten long years?
I blamed my own stupidity. How could I have believed Rachel’s lies? How could I have let her manipulate me into driving Cissy away?
If I hadn’t been such a fool, maybe she wouldn’t have lost hope and left. Maybe we’d still have a chance to be together.
She told me to move forward and find my happiness. But after she left, I realized my happiness was her. So, I couldn’t resist keeping tabs on her, even from afar.
I watched her leave work from the street below her, office, hoping for a glimpse of her. I even worked at her favorite coffee shop, just so she might drink a cup of coffee I made with my own
hands.
Day after day, I loved her silently from the shadows.
12:09 Mon, 16 Dec
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Why was I so blind? Why didn’t I cherish the woman who fought for me, who loved me with all her heart for ten long years?
I blamed my own stupidity. How could I have believed Rachel’s lies? How could I have let her manipulate me into driving Cissy away?
If I hadn’t been such a fool, maybe she wouldn’t have lost hope and left. Maybe we’d still have
a chance to be together.
She told me to move forward and find my happiness. But after she left, I realized my
happiness was her. So, I couldn’t resist keeping tabs on her, even from afar.
I watched her leave work from the street below her office, hoping for a glimpse of her. I even
worked at her favorite coffee shop, just so she might drink a cup of coffee I made with my own
hands.
Day after day, I loved her silently from the shadows.
One day, I saw her with another mon. My instincts told me that he was her boyfriend.
My heart burned with rage, jealousy, and despair. I wanted to rush over and tear them apart because the person holding her hand should have been me.
But then I saw her smile. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. I froze in place.
Once we’d shared moments like that. It was so warm and so full of love, but I hadn’t
cherished them. What right did I have now to ruin her happiness?
On her wedding day, I couldn’t stop myself from going.
She was stunning in her white gown, radiant and breathtaking.
But after just one glance, tears filled my eyes. I turned and fled, sobbing uncontrollably.
I was terrified that if I stayed, I’d lose control and beg her not to marry him, beg her not to
leave me.
Was I heartbroken?
Yes.
Was I filled with regret?
Absolutely.
But deep down, I knew it was over. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much I wished things were different, this was the end for us. Perhaps, in another lifetime, we could meet again,
and I would never let her go.
Driving home, my vision blurred from tears, the road ahead shimmering like a mirage
Turning a corner, a beam of sunlight broke through the clouds, and in its glow, I thought I saw her. She was walking toward me, her smile radiant, her eyes soft.
Was this forgiveness? Was she coming back to me?
In my mind, I heard her voice, clear and sweet. “Leonard, will you be my husband? Will you stay by my side through life and death?”
Tears of joy fell as I reached out to her with trembling hands.
I will,” I whispered. “I will.”
