Chapter 14
Mrs. Sullivan’s expression stiffened as she darted a glance at her son.
I continued smoothly, “He’s wonderful. Kind, considerate. He treats me better than I could have ever imagined.”
I smiled. “I’ll make sure to introduce him next time.”
Mrs. Sullivan looked heartbroken.
Leo, however, looked like he had just been punched in the gut.
“No. That’s not possible.
His voice cracked.
He shook his head, almost desperately.
“We–We always said we’d get married. Remember? We promised each other when we were kids–when we promised each other, you were always the mom, and I was always the dad. We-”
His voice faltered, his composure unraveling.
“We spent almost a year together, Chloe. We were happy. You can’t tell me that didn’t mean anything.”
His voice was raw, thick with something close to pleading.
“We were so close to getting married, weren’t we?”
His control slipped entirely, his breath uneven.]
you don’t mean it.“[]
“Tell me you’re just saying this to get back at me. Tell me you don
My father slammed his hand onto the table.
“Are you implying my daughter is lying? That our entire family is lying to you?”]
He glared at Leo, his voice thundering with disapproval. “Quinn is a good man. He’s respectful, mature. Chloe only recently agreed to date him, but we already see them going far.”
I quickly moved to my father’s side, placing a hand over his chest, calming him down.
Then, I looked at Leo, my voice steady.
“Leo, stop bringing up childhood promises. We were just kids. Those weren’t real commitments.“[]
I held his gaze
“You said that yourself. Have you forgotten?”
The dinner ended on a sour note.
By the time we stepped outside, snow had begun to fall, soft and silent.
I had just climbed into the car when I saw him.[
Leo stood in the cold, his frame slightly hunched, his breath visible in the winter air.
His eyes were red, locked onto mine.[]
e.”
“I was a fool.” he whispered. “I was stupid and reckless. I didn’t realize what I had until it was gone.”
His voice trembled.]
“Please. Chloe. Just one more chance.“]
Before I could respond, my attention was drawn to another figure under the streetlamp.
Tall, poised, his dark hair dusted with snowflakes.
Quinn.
My breath hitched slightly.
He had been in meetings late into the night, yet somehow, he had caught a flight just to be here.
For me.]]
“You once said the first snowfall should be shared with the person you love.”
His lips curled into a small smile. “So, I came.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest.
Last night, i had thrown that line out as a passing joke.]
Yet here he was, standing in the snow, just to fulfill a fleeting wish
He reached for my hand, brushing his fingers over my furrowed brow
“You’re frowning His voice was gentle. “What’s wrong?”||
I shook my head. “Nothing:“||
Quinn turned toward my parents, bowing slightly. “Mr. and Mrs.Sullivan I haven’t had anything to drink. I’ll drive.”
The scene was so warm, so effortlessly natural, that for a moment, we all forgot Leo was still standing there.
He watched, motionless, his expression unreadable.
And then,
a voice so quiet it was almost lost to the wind, he murmured
“Im sorry.”
Maybe he thought i didn’t hear him.
But I did.
And in my heart, I whispered back-
“It’s okay.”
Not for my sake.]
But for the boy he used to be the one who, once upon a time, truly cherished me.
