Chapter 22 – Dawn
Sunday evening.
The small dining room.
Candles lit.
Simple food—roast chicken, new potatoes, green salad.
Alex arrived at seven sharp.
Carried a bottle of red.
Not expensive.
Just thoughtful.
He helped set the table.
Folded napkins without being asked.
We ate slowly.
Talked about ordinary things.
The garden.
A book Sophia was reading.
The way the city looked from the terrace at dusk.
After dessert—berries and cream—he pushed his chair back.
Looked at me across the low light.
“I was wrong,” he said.
Voice low.
Steady.
“Not just about the company.”
He paused.
“About you. About us.”
I met his eyes.
Held them.
No rush to fill the silence.
“I know,” I said finally.
He nodded.
Swallowed.
“Thank you,” he said. “For letting me come back.”
I reached for my glass.
Took a slow sip.
The wine was good.
“You’re always welcome here,” I said.
He exhaled.
Something loosened in his shoulders.
We cleared the table together.
Three of us.
Plates clinking softly.
Laughter once—brief, surprised—when Sophia dropped a spoon.
Later, I stood at the window.
Watched his taillights disappear down the drive.
The night was warm.
City glow soft on the horizon.
I left the front door unlocked.
Walked upstairs.
Left my bedroom door open too.
The hallway light spilled in.
Gentle.
Unhurried.
For the first time in years, I fell asleep without checking the locks.
The house breathed around me.
Quiet.
Safe.
Mine again.
But lighter.
**The End**