Chapter 45
+15 BONUS
The next day, Selena left the country. I stood at a distance in the airport, watching her plane taxi down the runway.
As it took off, soaring higher and farther away, I whispered softly, “Lena, be happy. Be better. Be free.”
I turned to leave, only to find Jessica standing; behind me. I didn’t know how long she had been there.
“You clearly don’t want her to go,” she said, her voice steady but laced with confusion. “So, why let her?”
didn’t meet her eyes. Instead, I looked back toward the sky where Selena’s plane had disappeared.
“Because she deserves more. She shouldn’t be held back by someone like me.”
Jessica looked momentarily dazed.
After a moment, she murmured, “Seb, you really are… amazing.”
As she quietly looked at me, I caught a fleeting look of hope in her eyes. I smiled, but didn’t respond to her wishes Instead, another thought crept in, and I turned to her.
“Four years ago, you gave Timothy two hundred thousand dollars, didn’t you?”
Jessica blinked, startled. For a split second, there was confusion in her expression before she realized what I was
saying.
“You found out?”
I had already pieced it together, but hearing her admit it left a strange, complex feeling in my chest.
Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a card and handed it to her. “There’s three hundred thousand on this card. No PIN needed. Two hundred thousand to pay you back, and another hundred thousand for interest. For the last decade.”
1 paused, then added, “Thank you. When I found out, I was really touched.”
Finally reacting, Jessica hurriedly waved her hands in protest. “No, you don’t have to. Just think of it as…”
ut her off, “Debts need to be repaid. As for my gratitude? If you ever need me, I’ll do whatever it takes to help.”
I pushed the card into her hand before she could object again.
Jessica pursed her lips as she held the card helplessly, then sald hoarsely, “Seb, we
e’re not going to happen,” I said firmly, interrupting her again. “It’s been over for a long time.”
I repeated the same words again, “I hope you find someone who’s right for you.”
I watched the light in her eyes dim, bit by bit.
“Did you drive here?” I asked.
She nodded silently, her shoulders heavy with resignation.
“Then, you should get going. It’s late.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned and headed toward the parking lot. I didn’t see her standing there, watching me leave
“This time, I’ll get you back, Seb. No matter what,” she whispered, her voice soft, almost lost to the hum of the airport.
Chapter 45
+15 BONUS
She glanced down at the card in her hand, then lifted her gaze toward the empty sky where Selena’s plane had vanished.
“Selena, your time with Seb is over. Even if that two hundred thousand was your doing, he’ll never find out.”
