Semua Bab After the Rain, Never See You Again: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Pain throbbed through my right arm, all the way to the bone.Blood trailed from my fingertips and spattered the wood floor with dark spots.I wrapped my arm in a towel and took a cab alone to the nearest urgent care clinic.The urgent care physician drew a sharp breath when he unwrapped the towel."The glass is embedded deep. I'll need to clean the wound and stitch it up. Are you here alone?"I nodded.The doctor looked at my right arm, then toward the door."You really should have someone with you. Once the local anesthetic kicks in, you'll have trouble holding things, and you still need to confirm your insurance information at the front desk."I accepted the form with my left hand and managed a smile."It's fine. I can manage on my own."The moment my right arm moved, the wound felt like it tore open again.With only my left hand, I fumbled to sign the forms, fish out my ID, and swipe my card.The man in line behind me tapped the counter impatiently."How much longer is this going to

I sent the message at ten in the morning.For a long time, no one replied.At four in the afternoon, Noah finally messaged.Congratulations, Leah. Three years of hard work finally paid off. You're incredible.I sent him the address for the dinner.The typing bubble lingered on his end for a long time.I tapped my mouse absently, closed my eyes, and prayed.When I opened them again, I saw his message.Kayla says the client loved her proposal, but they want a deeper breakdown of the user data.I'll help her break down the data and try to finish early. Then we'll come meet you together.If I don't, she'll bother you all night and ruin your evening.When my first product launched, Noah had promised to celebrate with me.That same day, Kayla's dog developed a sudden kidney infection. She called me sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.I asked Noah to take me to Kayla first.He had genuinely resented it then. The irritation was plain in his eyes."It's our date. Can't we go after we cele

After a flight and a long bus ride, I finally reached a small coastal town in Maine.Cold, damp wind slipped down my collar.My cousin Emma was waiting at the station."Leah, what brought you back all of a sudden?"In the past, I always came back with Kayla.Eventually Noah started joining us.Emma glanced around."Is Kayla seeing someone? You two always used to come back together."I thought about it for a moment and nodded."Wow, she's so picky. What's her boyfriend like?"Head bowed, I followed the town's cobblestone streets."Her boyfriend's wonderful.""He acts like she's a nuisance, but he remembers everything she likes to eat. He drives out of his way for her, stays up late helping with her presentations, and slowly turns his home into the place she wants it to be.""Wow..."Emma wanted to ask more, but I cut her off."We're almost home. Is Aunt Mae there?"Aunt Mae's house stood just around the corner.She had prepared a huge spread of all my favorites.It had been a long time

The month of leave passed quickly.I'd thought the divorce agreement would be signed soon.But Noah sent me snippets of daily life every day and never once mentioned signing.On my first day back at work, there was a bunch of sunflowers on my desk.Beside them sat a half-sweet latte, extra hot.His text arrived moments later.I missed your promotion dinner. I hope the flowers and coffee make up for it.Can we talk at lunch?I chose the new cafe on the ground floor of our office building.I waited for him at the table farthest from the door.He wore the linen blazer I'd bought him, noticeably thinner now."I'm sorry."That was how he began."Not only for choosing Kayla first that day."I listened in silence."I'm sorry because I saw both of you fall.""And I still ran to Kayla first."He was finally willing to admit it."Is that all?" I asked."What about everything else you did for her? Are you still going to pretend none of it meant anything?"He shook his head."I don't know what you

Before we listed the bayside apartment we'd bought together, Noah asked me to come see whether I wanted anything left inside.I didn't go.I told him to throw my things away or donate them.The apartment sale closed on the same day the family court's waiting period ended.The deed transfer and final divorce decree became official that day."Leah, I'm sorry."Noah spoke behind me.I turned and gave him a wave."Making someone you love happy should feel good.""You don't have to keep pretending she annoys you."With that, I got into the car I'd called.His message came after.He said he had wanted to do most of those things for Kayla.He apologized for the false front he'd put on around me.He apologized for doing so much for Kayla while claiming it was all for my sake.Reading it, I felt nothing but calm.I replied.You're free. I hope you'll be happy.Kayla asked to meet several times, and I refused every invitation.At last she sent a blunt question.Did you two really get divorced?I