Chapter 22
Instead of taking Anthea to a hotel that night, Lance brought her back to their former marital home.
When Anthea had left in such a rush, there were so many things she didn’t get a chance to take or throw away. The house remained exactly as it had been when she departed, as if waiting for its
mistress to return.
Now she was back after all this time–but as a guest.
The staff were the same people who had served Anthea before. They couldn’t contain their excitement, though the word “Mrs.” lingered on their tongues before reluctantly transforming into
“Miss Orlando.”
Anthea acknowledged them with a warm smile at the corners of her eyes, then politely asked,
“Which room will I be staying in?”
The butler glanced at Lance for confirmation, then lead her upstairs.
Her room wasn’t their former master bedroom, nor was it Hedy’s old room, but a newly prepared south–facing suite–arranged according to her tastes.
Anthea surveyed the space, and just as she was about to step onto the balcony for some fresh air, a
knock sounded at her door.
Opening it, she found Lance standing there in his pajamas.
“What’s wrong?”
Lance studied her for a long moment before answering. “Nothing. I just wanted to say goodnight.”
Back when Anthea had lived in this house, she’d always wished him goodnight before bed. Eventually, it had become Lance’s habit too.
After she left, his goodnights went unanswered, and he’d gradually developed insomnia.
Anthea clearly remembered this as well. She looked at him and said softly, “Goodnight.”
That night, Lance slept better than he had in ages and even had a beautiful dream.
Dast: This Time I Choose to Let Go.
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In it, Anthea hadn’t left him. They were deeply in love and grew old together.
But in reality, he woke to an empty room and felt as if his blood had turned to ice.
The word “Anthea” caught in his throat.
Then a familiar, gentle voice came from behind him. “Why are you just standing there?”
Before Anthea could finish her question, Lance wrapped his arms around her.
His voice trembled against her ear. “Thank God… thank God you’re still here.”
Lance knew their time together was counting down, that it would eventually reach zero.
He could accept Anthea leaving him again, but he couldn’t bear to wake up and find her suddenly gone without warning.
Anthea remained silent, allowing him to hold her.
She understood exactly what he feared, but unlike before, she didn’t hug him back or offer comfort.
This was, after all, their final farewell.
Over the next few days, Lance and Anthea revisited their city together.
They went to Times Square, to Central Park, even to their old high school.
All traces of Lance and Hedy’s past romantic encounters had been erased, leaving only blank spaces.
Lance had initially wanted to create new memories with Anthea in these places, but she said there was no point.
They had already gone their separate ways–new marks mean nothing.
Lance pressed his lips together, but ultimately agreed with her wishes.
Finally, they visited a photography studio.
Ironically, despite knowing each other for so many years, they didn’t have a single photo of just the two of them.
Co
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Chapter 22
All their pictures together included Hedy or other people. Even their wedding certificate photo had been digitally created.
Now Lance begged Anthea to take one real photograph with him, to provide closure to their story.
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