Chapter 9: His Word Is Not Enough

But unexpectedly, because I had been so cold and indifferent lately, Caleb thought I was angry at him.

"Lillian, I know you’re not happy about this, but a man’s word is his bond. We’ve been married. I promise you, when I have time, I’ll bring Mason back to see you."

Seeing I didn’t respond and kept packing, Caleb frowned at me. He made the same promise as in my previous life, his tone gentle.

But I would not, as before, wait three years, then another three years because of these words. Nor would I, because of Aubrey’s words, suffer another three years and three years more.

"Mm, all right, I know, I understand, I get it."

I packed my bag, answering Caleb perfunctorily.

Seeing I didn’t want to speak further, Caleb’s gaze became complicated. He hesitated, looked at me again and again, then finally turned and left.

He left the room with the sound of his shoes tapping across the hardwood floor, the quiet closing of the door saying more than any goodbye ever could. A breeze slipped through the window, bringing in the faint scent of honeysuckle and the distant barking of a neighbor’s dog—life moving forward, with or without us.