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00:26The End
00:30I'd loved Dominic for six years
00:32Even our wedding only happened because I'd threatened suicide so many times
00:36Yet when the fire reached us
00:38He gave his life to save mine
00:42A laugh escaped me
00:43Then tears came
00:45The marriage I'd done everything to get was a joke
00:48In the end, it only got the man I loved killed
00:50I set the curtains on fire
00:52The flames were quieter than I expected
00:56Then somehow I woke up in the past
00:58Back on the day I'd threatened suicide
01:00To force Dominic into marrying me
01:02He looked exhausted
01:03I decided that this time
01:05I would let him go
01:07Aria, I promise
01:09The wedding's still on for next Wednesday
01:11Just put down the knife, okay?
01:18Okay, Aria
01:19It's okay
01:20I'll patch you up
01:24Does it hurt?
01:26Dominic, let's break up
01:30Dominic, let's break up
01:33I'd lost count of how many times I'd lost it
01:35I just remembered spiring after Sophia came back
01:38Sophia was Dominic's first love
01:40She left the country without warning
01:42And he fell apart
01:43He shut himself in his room and stopped eating and drinking
01:46I stayed beside him
01:48Comforting him through one long night after another
01:50Aria, I love you
01:52Thank you
01:53He finally noticed me
01:55He kissed me
01:56Then Sophia came back
01:58And everything changed
01:59The first time was on my birthday
02:01He ditched me to pick Sophia up at the airport
02:04I couldn't remember how I'd felt
02:06I just remembered sitting at the table with dinner cold
02:09Relighting the candles until dawn
02:11The second time
02:12Sophia got drunk
02:14And Dominic brought her to our home
02:17Dominic, I regret leaving
02:19Can we get back together?
02:26That night
02:26I smoked on the balcony until morning
02:28My hands shaking
02:30I convinced myself he was just being a gentleman
02:32I convinced myself he loved me
02:34Then he said he wanted to postpone our wedding
02:37Aria
02:38I need more time
02:41I finally snapped
02:43Grabbed a paring knife
02:44And cut my wrist
02:49I caught my reflection in the glass
02:51My hair was deshadowed
02:53And I was extremely emaciated
02:55Dominic, the wedding's off
02:57We're done
03:00What did you say?
03:02Aria
03:04Dominic, the family dinner's tonight
03:06Your mom says if you don't come eat with me
03:08She'll never forgive you
03:09Dominic, Sophia's only been back a few days
03:11You can't make her go alone
03:12She's always been your favorite
03:14Aria
03:14Mom has no idea what she's talking about
03:16Don't read into it
03:17I only love you
03:18It's okay
03:19I promised I'd keep my distance from Sophia
03:23Go
03:23Don't skip family dinner for me
03:25I'll bring back your favorite flowers
03:28Be good
03:28Don't overthink it, okay?
03:31I didn't answer
03:32I was used to it
03:33After six years of trying
03:35I still wasn't welcome at his family's table
03:37Sophia already had a place there
03:39Once Dominic left
03:40I booked a flight out
03:42Dominic, this time
03:43I'm letting you go
03:46After midnight
03:47His warm chest pressed against my back
03:49Baby, you went to bed without me?
03:51Still mad?
03:52No
03:52I figured it out
03:53Figured what out?
03:54I wanted to tell him
03:55I shouldn't have become someone
03:56Who had to scream and bleed
03:58Just to prove I was loved
03:59I should trust you more
04:00There's my girl, Aria
04:02He kept kissing my neck in the dark
04:04I stared at the ceiling
04:05Before I died
04:06I never slept until Dominic came home
04:08I even hired someone to follow him
04:11I knew it was pathetic
04:12But I couldn't stop myself
04:13Since Sophia's return
04:15He'd left me waiting more and more often
04:18You said you were working late
04:20Why were you at a restaurant with Sophia?
04:22You had me tailed?
04:23You lied to me!
04:24His hand shook
04:25In the end, he lowered it and said
04:27I'm sorry
04:28Sophia had been back for 68 days
04:30He'd apologized 68 times
04:33Dominic didn't notice me like he used to
04:35What does she need that only you can do?
04:37He always looked at me wearily
04:38She had to leave home because of me
04:40I'm sorry, Aria, but I owe her
04:42I lost control
04:42I grabbed the knife and shouted through my tears
04:47Why do you keep lying to me, Dominic?
04:49Why do you keep pushing me to this?
04:51If you can't let her go
04:53I'll die and get out of your way!
04:58This is my fault
05:00Cut me instead
05:01Don't hurt yourself
05:02By then, we were both a wreck
05:04I sank to the floor
05:06Staring at the mess around us
05:07We'd once loved each other so much
05:09Will you stay with me forever?
05:11How had we ended up here?
05:14The next morning
05:15His side of the bed was empty
05:16A familiar voice came from outside
05:19I want you to feed me
05:24I opened the bedroom door and froze
05:28Sophia sat at the table
05:30Head tilted and lips parted
05:32Dominic stood beside her
05:33Holding a bite of dessert to her lips
05:35Not sweet enough
05:37He sprayed whipped cream on top
05:38You still know exactly how to take care of me
05:41You spoiled me rotten when we were together
05:43Dominic said nothing
05:44He took a napkin and wiped the corner of her mouth
05:47Then he turned and saw me
05:49He jerked his hand back
05:51Sophia followed his gaze
05:54Her eyes moved from my face
05:56To the silver hair clip in my hair
05:59Dominic
05:59Why did you give Aria something I threw away?
06:04I threw it in an airport trash can the day I left
06:07I can't believe you fished it out and given it to Aria
06:09My fingers twitched
06:11It was the first gift he'd ever given me
06:12That night he'd been working late in his study
06:14I brought him some hot tea
06:16And found him staring at the silver clip
06:18It's beautiful
06:20Is it for me?
06:23Yeah
06:23You like it?
06:26I put it on at once
06:28And kept looking at it in the mirror
06:30I wore it for six years
06:32I treasured it
06:34Only now did I learn
06:35It was just someone else's trash
06:42Since it's yours
06:43You should have it back
06:45Some things should have stayed where they belonged
06:49You're right
06:50Clinging to what was never yours
06:51Only makes you look like a fool
06:53Same goes for people
06:57Sophia
06:58What?
06:59Am I wrong?
07:01Your mom asked me last night
07:02When we were getting back together
07:03By the way, Aria
07:05I'm moving this afternoon
07:06I can't go home yet
07:07So Dominic's putting me up at his estate
07:09Sorry I beat you to your new home
07:12Wanna come?
07:13I hear the master bedroom was designed for you
07:15Don't worry
07:16I won't mind
07:18I have plans this afternoon
07:19Dominic can go with you
07:21I turned to leave
07:23But Dominic caught my wrist
07:24You're not mad?
07:26What's there to be mad about?
07:28She needs you
07:29Isn't that what you keep telling me?
07:31Come on
07:32The movers are waiting
07:33I'll be back later
07:34Wait for me
07:36Okay
07:36The second the door shut
07:38I started packing
07:40That evening
07:41Sophia sent me a photo
07:42He said he'd leave once I fell asleep
07:44But he's still here
07:46I stared at it for a long time
07:47Then sank to the ground
07:49Exhausted
07:49Aria
07:50Sophia's hurt
07:51I'm not coming home tonight
07:52Okay
07:53Got it
07:55That's all you have to say?
07:56Yes
07:56You don't owe me an explanation
07:58Dominic
08:02I hung up and booked my flight
08:07I was about to turn off the light
08:09When Dominic came through the door
08:11You came back?
08:13You wanted me to stay there that badly?
08:15You helped her move all day
08:16Staying the night would have made sense
08:20Aria, you didn't used to be like this
08:22You would have called
08:23Cried
08:24Fought
08:24Threatened suicide to get me home
08:26Now you don't even ask?
08:28I lose it
08:29You're annoyed
08:29I stop
08:30You're thrown
08:30What do you want, Dominic?
08:32I'm sorry
08:33I overreacted
08:35Have you thought about
08:36What kind of wedding you want?
08:37I found a few venues you might like
08:39One's on the beach
08:41Another's an estate with a garden
08:42I'll take you tomorrow
08:44I wanted to tell him I meant it
08:46When I called off the wedding
08:48But he turned and went to take a shower
08:50The next day
08:51He drove me to the coast
08:52The planner spread the designs
08:54Across the sand
08:54And asked what kind of arch
08:55And flowers we wanted
08:57Dominic was about to answer
08:58When his phone rang
09:00Dominic!
09:00I'm scared
09:01Someone rear-edded me
09:02And the driver keeps yelling at me
09:04My forehead's bleeding too
09:05Please come help me
09:07Dominic!
09:09Aria
09:10Sophia's been in an accident
09:11She called me for help
09:12I can't leave her there
09:13Be good and wait for me
09:14I'll come right back
09:16Go
09:17I watched him get into the car
09:18And start the engine
09:19I looked down
09:20Ashamed that I'd still hoped
09:22He might stay
09:23I'd known for so long
09:24That he didn't love me
09:26I'm sorry
09:26Don't bother with the venue plans
09:28The wedding's off
09:29Back home
09:30I picked up the bags
09:31I'd already packed
09:32Before boarding
09:33I sent Dominic one last message
09:36Dominic, we're done
09:38This time
09:38I'm giving you your freedom back
09:43My flight landed in Lunara
09:45Outside the airport
09:47Damp sea air hit my face
09:48I took off my sunglasses
09:50And looked around
09:51It was nothing like the city I'd left
09:53No skycrapers
09:54Just old stone buildings
09:55With moss-covered walls
09:56Canals cut through the city
09:58Boats drifted past
09:59And a boatman's song
10:00Carried across the water
10:01After renting an apartment
10:03I went into the bathroom
10:05In front of the mirror
10:06I took scissors to the hair
10:08I'd had long for years
10:09I began living an ordinary life
10:11No one knew me here
10:13No one stared with curiosity or fear
10:16I used my savings
10:17To open a flower shop
10:19Congratulations, Mrs. Vale
10:20You're your own boss now
10:23By the third week
10:24My new life had begun
10:26To feel steady
10:26Then, one rainy night
10:28My doorbell rang
10:29Thinking it was the water delivery
10:31I opened the door
10:33Dominic Kane stood outside
10:41Dominic, I was so scared
10:42That driver was awful
10:44It's over
10:45My assistant will handle it
10:46Get some rest
10:50Dominic, we're done
10:52Aria?
10:53This is my fault
10:54If I hadn't had the accident
10:56You wouldn't have come
10:56And she wouldn't be upset
10:57Aria, don't start
10:58I'll be right home
10:59Sorry
10:59The number you have dialed
11:01Is no longer in service
11:02Dominic?
11:03What's wrong?
11:04I have to go home
11:06Stay here
11:07I'll send my assistant
11:08She broke up with you
11:10Isn't that what you wanted?
11:11Now you don't have to be afraid
11:13Afraid of what?
11:14Dominic
11:14Of admitting you've spent
11:15Six years with her
11:16Out of duty
11:17She dumped you
11:18What's there to think about?
11:19Dominic, do you love her?
11:20Since I came back
11:21How many full weekends
11:22Have you spent with her?
11:23When I had a fever
11:24You came in the middle of the night
11:25You helped me move
11:25The moment I had an accident
11:26You left your wedding planner
11:27And came running
11:29Ask yourself who you really want
11:34That's different
11:35How?
11:38You've been with her longer
11:39But your heart has always been mine
11:40Everyone can see it but you
11:42You've got it wrong
11:44I only see you as a sister
11:45I'm not in love with you as sir
11:48What did you say?
11:50I'm sorry I let you believe otherwise
11:53What we had is over
11:54I love Aria
11:55You bastard, Dominic
11:58No wonder Aria dumped you
12:06Aria?
12:15Boss, I found it
12:16Mrs. Vale bought a ticket to Lunera three days ago
12:18The flight number is
12:22I opened my apartment door without thinking
12:25Dominic stood outside
12:26Aria
12:27Come home with me
12:30We're done, Dominic
12:31I never agreed
12:35What do you want from me?
12:37I was so desperate I hurt myself
12:39Thinking it was the only way to make you stay
12:42But all I saw in your eyes was exhaustion
12:44And the urge to get away from me
12:46You have the freedom you wanted
12:48Why are you here?
12:50Aria
12:51I was wrong
12:52I didn't understand before
12:53Give me one more chance
12:54I gave you plenty
12:56Go home, Dominic
12:58I turned and walked away
13:00Dominic watched me go down the empty stone street
13:03Then he slowly sank into a crouch
13:08Dominic stayed in Lunera
13:10Every morning he wandered near the stone bridge
13:12Hoping to see me
13:14Sometimes he did
13:15He'd follow me through a few streets
13:17Before working up the nerve to approach
13:18He carried a bunch of hydrangeas
13:20I remember you liked these
13:23You've got it mixed up
13:24Sophia likes hydrangeas
13:27I like...
13:28Never mind
13:29It doesn't matter anymore
13:30His hand froze in the air
13:32I walked around him
13:34He'd crushed the flowers in his grip
13:36The next day
13:37He brought me earrings
13:38Years ago
13:39I'd pointed to a pair in a magazine
13:41And said how pretty they were
13:42He'd glanced at the picture without a word
13:44And I never mentioned them again
13:45He'd searched Lunara's silver shops
13:47For something similar
13:48He waited by the old city gate
13:50With the earrings in a velvet box
13:51Aria, these are...
13:53I don't want them
13:55I paused
13:58Don't you see how ridiculous this is?
14:01You never gave me these things when I was with you
14:03Now you're chasing me around with them
14:04Are you trying to make it up to me
14:05Or make yourself feel better?
14:07I just want to make you happy
14:09Then leave me alone
14:12He had nothing to say
14:15Still, he came every morning
14:16Bringing food I used to love
14:18He didn't know my tastes had changed
14:21After all that waiting and disappointment
14:22The things I'd once wanted meant less
14:27One night, it rained
14:29Lunara's cold rain pattered against the tiled roofs
14:32Dominic stood outside my building without an umbrella
14:35From behind the curtain
14:36I watched him stand there for hours
14:38Then he crouched and buried his face in his knees
14:41He was still there when I went downstairs the next morning
14:44Soaked through and pale with cold
14:46He stumbled to his feet when he saw me
14:50Aria
14:52What do I have to do to make you forgive me?
14:54His wet hair clung to his forehead
14:57Water dripped from his face onto the stone street
15:01Forgive you?
15:02I could hardly believe he'd asked
15:05Dominic, what makes you think
15:06Standing in the rain and backing down
15:08Will send me running back into your arms
15:10Grateful as ever?
15:11I don't
15:12I just
15:12He took a step toward me and reached out
15:14Then stopped
15:15I don't know how to get you look at mine
15:18You don't have to do anything
15:20I stepped back
15:21I looked at him
15:22Nothing you do rise by my own calm
15:25Nothing you do will change my mind
15:27I turned towards my apartment door
15:30A dull thut sounded behind me
15:34I turned back
15:35Dominic toppled into a puddle
15:37Splashing muddy water
15:38His hand was still outstrenched towards me
15:40Veins bulging though he was already unconscious
15:42I watched him coldly from the steps
15:43The old me would have rushed to him
15:45Shielded him from the rain
15:47And begged someone to help
15:48Now I simply took out my phone
15:50And called an ambulance
15:52I watched from beneath my umbrella
15:53As the paramedics lifted him onto a stretcher
15:56Family coming?
15:57Not family
15:58I just know him
16:00The ambulance sped off
16:01Siren blaring
16:02I closed my umbrella
16:04Went into my apartment
16:05And locked the door
16:06I thought that would be the end of it
16:08The next afternoon
16:09The bell over my flower shop door rang
16:11Dominic stood there
16:12In yesterday's wrinkled shirt
16:13No tie
16:13His face ashkin
16:14Hospital tape covered the back of his left hand
16:16A little blood seeping through
16:18You pull out your IV and leave?
16:19He didn't answer
16:20He just stared at me
16:21So fixated it made my skin crawl
16:23Aria
16:24I had a dream
16:25There was a plane
16:26Fire everywhere
16:27The windows blew out
16:29I put a parachute on you
16:30And then
16:30Then I died
16:32He came to the counter
16:33Braced both hands on it
16:34And breathed hard
16:35My heart skipped
16:36The shears slipped from my hand
16:37And struck the counter
16:38It wasn't a dream, was it?
16:41That's why you changed
16:42Why you stopped fighting
16:43And walked away
16:44You lived it, didn't you?
16:45I watched him fall apart
16:46My fingers curling inside my sleeve
16:51I neither confirmed nor denied it
16:55You have quite an imagination, Dominic
16:57Find a therapist
16:58Don't come here with this
16:59Aria
17:00He caught my wrist
17:01How else would you know I gave you the parachute?
17:03That last text you sent me said you were giving me my freedom
17:06He choked on the words
17:08That's what I said to you before I died
17:09In the dream
17:14So what?
17:16Even if it's true, so what?
17:19Saved my life once
17:20You think that erases the lies, the betrayal
17:23And all the times you shut me out
17:25You saved me on the plane because you felt guilty
17:28You thought you owed me your life
17:29But you owe me more than that
17:31Leave
17:32Don't come back
17:34Seeing you here makes me sick
17:37I watched him disappear around the corner
17:39And let out a long breath
17:45That June, Lunara held its biggest celebration
17:48The Torch Festival
17:49Red ribbons lined the streets
17:51Pine torches burned along and bright the stone walls
17:54The flower shop beside the canal and bright tridentals busy
17:56I didn't close until late night
17:59Outside, warm air and festival noise filled the street
18:02I carried some fresh bread home along the canal
18:04Keeping close to the wall to get through the crowd
18:07Near the stone bridge, I sensed someone behind me
18:10I knew who it was without turning
18:12For three days, Dominic had followed me around like a ghost
18:15He no longer came up to talk
18:17He just watched me in silence from a dozen yards away
18:20He wore a black coat and had grown so thin I barely recognized him
18:24The once untouchable executive looked like a stray dog
18:26I ignored him and kept walking
18:29A commotion broke out at the bridge
18:31Several drunk local men pushed through the crowd with torches
18:33They shouted in Lunaran, stumbling as they ran
18:36The crowd erupted into chaos
18:38People screamed and scattered to either side
18:39I was pressed against the stone railing with nowhere to go
18:42A torch slipped from one man's hand and flew toward my face
18:50He sifted in pain, his weight dropping against me
18:53The burning pine struck his shoulder
18:55Scattering sparks and burning a hole through his coat
18:57The men stumbled away
18:58The crowd began to disperse
19:00Dominic held me so tightly it hurt
19:01Are you okay?
19:03He looked down at me, his voice urgent and full of relief
19:05I pushed him back
19:07Under the streetlight I could see where his coat had burned into his shoulder
19:10It smelled burnt
19:11He seemed oblivious to the pain, staring at my face to make sure I wasn't hurt
19:15I frowned at his wound
19:17Are you mad?
19:18I'm fine
19:19I got to you in time, Aria
19:21There was something almost sick about the satisfaction in his voice
19:24As if getting hurt for me once could fill the gaping hole inside him
19:27Go to the hospital
19:32I turned and walked away
19:34He followed like a child afraid of being abandoned
19:37In the emergency room, a doctor cut away the burned fabric and treated his shoulder
19:42Dominic didn't make a sound
19:43He kept his eyes on me as I sat across from him, watching the clock
19:47The burn is deep
19:49Keep it Drick
19:50He'll need some help while it heals
19:51I took the prescription and paid for his medication
19:56When I came back, Dominic had already changed his clothes and was sitting on the edge of the bed
20:05He saw the medicine in my hand, a faint spark in his eyes
20:09Aria, you still care about me, don't you?
20:11I put it in his lap
20:13Dominic, we need to talk
20:18I found a cafe that was still open at midnight
20:21We sat in a dim corner
20:22Black coffee in front of me
20:24And warm water in front of him
20:27What are you trying to prove?
20:29I swirled the spoon in my cup
20:31That you love me now?
20:32That you'd risk your life for me?
20:34His grip tightened on the cup
20:36His knuckles turning white
20:38I just want to make up for...
20:40You can't
20:41Dominic, you used Sophia to avoid our marriage
20:44You made her your duty
20:45The one that got away
20:47And a way to make yourself look devoted
20:48I looked at him and laid out the ugly truth
20:51You never loved her
20:53You just got used to her needing you
20:55To feeling like a man besides someone so fragile
20:58He went pale
20:59His lips moved, but no words came out
21:02And me?
21:04I was independent
21:05I kept the whole house running
21:07I even threatened suicide to make you marry me
21:11To you, I was crazy
21:13A monster who didn't need to be cared for
21:16No, Arya, that's not how it was
21:19Then what was it?
21:21Did some part of you enjoy leaving me for her?
21:24Did it feel like payback for the way I'd forced your hand?
21:27Dominic froze
21:28Tears fell onto the table in heavy drops
21:30He knew I was right
21:33He'd always been a coward
21:34He hid his reluctance to be with me behind his duty to Sophia
21:38Now that I was gone, he was trying to hide his regret behind grand gestures
21:43Arya, I was wrong
21:45I know I was wrong
21:46Please, give me a chance to love you again
21:49I don't need that anymore
21:51Dominic, I like my short hair
21:54My flower shop is doing well
21:56I sleep through the night
21:57Leave me in peace, Dominic
21:59That's the kindest thing you can do for me
22:01I pushed open door and walked out into the Lunara night
22:06I thought our talk might finally make him let go
22:09But I'd underestimated just how obsessed Dominic was
22:12Three days later, a thick, unmarked manly envelope appeared under my apartment door
22:16Inside were property documents, share transfer papers, and account details
22:21Dominic had arranged to give me everything he owned
22:23A thin sheet of paper lay at the bottom
22:26The messy handwriting was smudged by water in places
22:29Arya, you were right
22:30I was a coward
22:32I couldn't admit I'd fallen in love with you
22:34Or face how much I'd hurt you
22:35I thought giving you the parachute would make you forgive me
22:38Even in dying, I was thinking about what I wanted
22:40I'm leaving you these things because I want you to have a good life
22:43You don't have to forgive me
22:44The sea in Lunara is beautiful
22:46I want to see it
22:47If you never want to see me again, I'll stay away
22:50Be free, Dominic
22:52I stared at the line about the sea
22:56Crushing the paper in my hand
22:58Idiot
22:58I grabbed my coat and ran out
23:00Lunara's best-known landmark was Sighing Cliff
23:03A sheer stretch of rock above the sea
23:04Waves crashed against the rock with a deafening roar
23:07I drove there in a rental car
23:09The salt wind blowing through the window and tangling my hair
23:11I didn't care whether he lived or died
23:13I just didn't want him dying on my turf
23:15Or doing something this extreme to haunt me forever
23:18I stopped near the cliff and fought my way through the wind
23:22At the cliff's edge, I saw a figure in black
23:24Dominic stood there, his toes almost over it
23:27Waves crashed against the rock below like a beast with its jaws wide open
23:32Dominic!
23:32But the wind carried my shout away
23:34He didn't turn
23:35Slowly, he spread his arms like a bird with broken wings
23:39Ready for the final plunge
23:42I ran toward him
23:43When I was still ten meters away
23:45I shouted again
23:46Don't you dare jump!
23:48He heard me
23:49He turned stiffly, his dark gray eyes hollow with despair
23:52When he saw me, a flicker of disbelief lit them
23:55Arya
23:56Why are you here?
23:57To tell you to stop blackmailing me with this sick shit
24:00I stood in the wind, glaring at him
24:01You think I'll never forget you if you jump?
24:04That dying will make us even?
24:06He looked at me, tears running down his pale cheeks
24:09Then what am I supposed to do?
24:12Arya
24:13I can't live with it
24:14Every time I close my eyes, I see you cutting your wrist
24:17I see the way you looked at me through the flames
24:20It hurts
24:22He crowed, clutching his chest
24:24I can't forgive myself
24:26Dominic Kane had once been so high and mighty
24:29Always calm and in control
24:30Now he sobbed at the cliff's edge
24:32More pitiful than a stray dog
24:33And I felt nothing
24:34I walked up to him
24:35Cold sea spray striking my face
24:38Dominic
24:39Do you want to make amends?
24:42Yes
24:42Anything
24:43If you'll forgive me, I'll do anything
24:45Good
24:46Then live
24:48He froze
24:49Live with what you did
24:50Live with the guilt and the regret
24:52Live to be a hundred
24:53I crouched down to meet his eyes
24:56Watch me build a life without you
24:59Fall in love with someone else
25:00Get married
25:01Have children
25:01I want every day to be a living hell with no way out
25:05Dominic went deathly pale
25:07He stared at me
25:08His lips quivering as if the last shred of his soul had left him
25:12You think death is an escape?
25:14You wish
25:15I stood and brushed the dust from my hands
25:17Take your damn papers with you
25:19I don't want your money
25:20Never show your face to me again
25:22I headed for the car
25:24Arya
25:24I didn't look back
25:28I got in and started the engine
25:30In the rearview mirror, Dominic knelt at the cliff's edge
25:33Facing me as he struck his forehead against the rough rock
25:36He didn't jump
25:37He accepted the cruelest punishment I could give him
25:39I drove away from Sighing Cliff
25:42The clouds broke over Lunira
25:43Sunlight broke through the clouds and fell across the shimmering sea
25:47Everything looked clean and bright
25:49I lowered the car window to feel the breeze on my face
25:52I touched the small moat behind my left ear
25:55He'd once called it something only he got to see
25:58Now it was simply mine
26:00Three years later, spring came early to Lunara
26:04The flower shop had doubled in size
26:06And I'd hired two local women
26:08Boss, where are these forget-me-notes going?
26:11To the cafe on the corner
26:12They're for the owner
26:13I wore a cream-knit sweater and straight-leg jeans
26:16My hair had grown to my shoulders again
26:19Curling naturally
26:20As I passed a mirror, I caught sight of myself
26:23No dark circles
26:24No pale, tired face
26:26Just a calm, relaxed gaze
26:27I finally liked who I'd become
26:29That afternoon, I was checking invoices when my phone buzzed
26:33An anonymous email had arrived from the United States
26:36For three years, one had come on the same day each month
26:39There was never any text, only a photo
26:41A New York street at night
26:42A cup of cold coffee
26:43The door to a therapist's office
26:45Today showed a man's hand
26:46An old scar crossed his wrist
26:48Where he'd cut himself trying to stop me from cutting mine
26:51He held a silver hair plick
26:53Behind him was a cemetery
26:54I looked at the photo for a long time
26:57Then I deleted the email and emptied the trash
26:59Boss, someone's here for you
27:03Coming!
27:04The sun was warm
27:05The breeze soft
27:07Lunara's streets bustled with people going about their lives
27:10I drew in a breath of flower-scented air and stepped outside
27:13Whatever life Dominic was living far away
27:15It was his to face