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Chapter 27
+25 BONUS
After a while, the door opened softly and then closed just as quietly. Callista felt a faint sting in her chest but let out a long breath.
Yes, she had been tempted, but she loved herself more. She had fought hard to reclaim her life; she wasn’t going to give it up to be hurt again.
Picking up her phone, she replied to Jane’s message. “Okay
Just one last time–to close this chapter for good.
Callista booked a flight home. Jude had left earlier, and Callista spent the remaining two days traveling alone before flying back.
When the plane landed, she went straight to the restaurant where they had agreed to meet.
Luther was already there, waiting. She wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting, but the moment she walked in, he shot to his feet. His eyes locked onto hers.
“Honey…”
He was wearing the custom–tailored suit she had ordered for their first wedding anniversary. But now, his frail frame made the once–fitting suit hang loosely, and his past elegance was entirely gone.
Callista felt no emotion, and certainly no pity. She sat across from him as he nervously handed her a bouquet of purple roses.
“I used to love purple, but now I don’t.
“Because of you.‘
Callista placed the roses off to the side without a second glance, while Luther’s eyes turned bloodshot.
“Honey…”
“Luther, if you insist on calling me that, there’s no need for us to talk.”
Her cold demeanor stopped him mid–sentence.
“Callista,” he finally muttered in a trembling voice.
“I tore down the old rose garden and replanted purple roses. I brought over the chef from the honey garlic prawns restaurant and opened a new one right by the house. Whenever you want it, I can get it for you.
“I even redid the fireworks. This time, I’ll be there to watch them with you,” he said almost desperately.
Suddenly, Callista chuckled.
“Do you think I’d still want those things, Luther?”
