His eyes were full of pleading and humility, as if he were willing to compromise on anything just to remain by my side.
At that moment, Jay spoke, his voice calm but carrying a sharp edge. “Mr. Malcolm, I don’t know the details between you two, but
I think whether she stays with you or not should be up to her. You’ve been speaking only of your feelings, but have you ever
considered what she truly wants?”
Dennis froze, opening his mouth but failing to form any words.
I looked at Dennis. “Dennis, no matter what, those five years are gone. Even if I didn’t stage my death, I would still feel… you’re
no longer the one I would choose.”
The color drained from his face, but I continued. “Don’t force me to call everything we had a mistake. Or perhaps you’d rather I
really were dead before you could finally let go of me?”
“No!” He interrupted me sharply, his eyes filled with profound sorrow, his voice edged with desperation. “Tracy, I was wrong. I
was really wrong. As long as you’re okay… please, don’t go dying on me again. I… I’ll stay away.”
His gaze made me pause for a moment, before I spoke softly. “Fine. Then I hope you can truly let me go.”
He remained silent for a long time, his head bowing, as if some realization had finally dawned on him. His voice was hoarse when
he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
Then he turned and walked away, his back lost in a hollow kind of despair.
Jay made sure the children were all right before walking up to me. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head lightly. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
