Chapter 25–A Total Separation
-never–was, and every day felt heavier than the one before. Madeline had reached out to everyone but him, including her family, friends, and Aweek had passed since the wedding–that–ne even coworkers. The silence she left behind was deafening, and Sebastian was forced to face the wreckage of his decisions as he stared at the empty spot in his closet where Madeline’s wedding dress was supposed to be hung
He had blocked Emily’s phone and made it clear to security that she was not to be permitted anywhere close to him or his house in an effort to cut off all communication with her.
In order to keep her off the streets and to make sure she was unaware that he had done so, he discreetly deposited her past–duecent straight into the business’s account, he found no prace In it, but it was a last act of closure.
Still, his thoughts lingered on Madeline. He believed their love was still alive, that her fleeing the wedding wasn’t due to a lack of love but the awful pain of betrayal. This conviction give hi hope and motivated him to look for ways to get in touch with her.
He went to her favorite haunts every day in the hopes of a serendipitous meeting, the cat where she purchased her snacks and cotler, the nail salon where she received manicure services
Even the bookshop she adored, though he had never been able to comprehend her infatuation with perusing countless hardcover books. However, she never showed up, he felt an emptiness that nothing could dill while her absence tormented him.
That night, after yet another unsuccessful day, he came home, loneliness heavy in his chest. The house felt more chilly and deserted than before. Every nook and cranny seemed to evoke mentories of Madeline, the warmth she provided to every area she filled, the way she sang to herself when she thought no one was listening, the way she laughed, the silence was deafening
He noticed a flash of light when he opened his eyes. A small, familiar object sat on the bedside table, he leaned out and scooped it up, his breath freezing Madeline’s engagement i hadn’t been there before, his mind raced, had she been here? Was she nearby?
#Madeline? Madde?” he called out, his voice echoing in the empty houselt hadn’t been there before.
He got up and went through every area, including the living room, kitchen, and even the restroom. But there was no sign of her. The ring was a final and obvious declaration of thei separation, and it weighed heavier in his grasp than it should have. She wasn’t here to speak or make amends
With a calm finality, she had come to return his ring, ending their romance, Sebastian put his head in his hands and sunk back onto the bed and for the first time, he questioned whether there was really no way back
Madeline was sitting at her desk across Town in her new apartment, which was small but comfortable she wote away, engined in her job, the gentle light of her laptop screen highlighted her intent. countenance, she was surrounded by notebooks and papers, which were left over from the hectic day
Het palm brushed against something chilly and metallic as she reached into the bottom drawer for a folder. When she took it out, she was looking at her engagement ring.
She held it in front of the lamp. Although the diamond’s significance had long since faded, it still shined with the si · radiance: Madeline groaned and flipped the ring around in her hand, it was a representation of betrayed love and shattered promises.
torvet weat it again, the cost was high, and if she kept it, Sebastian might use it as a pretext to get in
She fell bad about throwing it away even though she knew deep down that she would ory bouch with her.
It seemed most senable to return it, but the idea of confronting him, even in an indirect way, made her chest constrict. The sound of a key turning in the lock startled her out of her as she considered her options. With his laptop bag thrown over one
After a long day, his shirt was a little rumpled and his tie was
“Hey” he said, flashing her a warm smile as he set his bag down,
“How was your day?”
Madeline gestured to her laptop, her lips curling into a way smile
“Basy and boring”
Jacob chuckled, leaning against the kitchen counter,
-Sounds like a blast. What do you feel like doing tonight?”
She tapped her fingers against the desk, bet mind racing, the weight of the ring in her hand gave her an idea.
*Would you be down to break into a house with me?” she asked, holding up the ring with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Jacobased an eyebow, smuking as he caught her meaning,
“Beak into a house, huh?
He began unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves, he pulled off his suit jacket, hanging it neatly over the chair, and walked toward her with a playful smile, “Alright, Madhe. Let’s do this”
