Rena stared at her phone, Leandro's latest message glowing on the screen.
Leandro: Do you remember that night we had dinner by the water? I was thinking maybe we could go back there tomorrow. What do you say?
Her stomach twisted as she read his words. The memories came flooding back, uninvited—the soft glow of the waterfront lights, the way they had laughed together over shared plates of food, the warmth of Leandro's hand in hers as they watched the sunset. It had been one of their better nights, back when things between them still felt simple and full of promise.
But now, those memories felt distant, like they belonged to a different version of her, a version of herself that no longer existed.
Rena sighed and tossed the phone onto the couch, her chest tight with the weight of the decision she still hadn't made. Leandro had been relentless these past few weeks, ever since they had run into each other again. He had sent flowers, sweet texts, even handwritten notes—the kind of gestures that once would have melted her heart. But now, they felt like a desperate attempt to pull her back into a relationship she had already begun to move on from.
The truth was, Rena had changed. The woman she had been when she was with Leandro—the one who had overlooked his flaws, excused his absence, and clung to the good moments—wasn't the woman she was anymore. She wasn't the woman who needed someone else to complete her. And yet, every time Leandro reached out, it stirred up old feelings, tugged at her heartstrings, and made her question whether she had really moved on.
But deep down, she knew the answer.
She wasn't the same person anymore. And Leandro, for all his efforts to win her back, wasn't either.
Later that evening, Rena found herself standing in front of her closet, staring at the rows of clothes, unsure what to do. Leandro had insisted on meeting for dinner that night—nothing formal, just a chance to "catch up," as he had put it. A part of her wanted to decline, to make a clean break, but another part of her—probably the part that still wanted closure—had agreed.
She reached for a simple black dress, something comfortable but elegant. As she slipped it on and stood in front of the mirror, she couldn't help but think about how different this felt compared to the times she had dressed up for Leandro in the past. Back then, she had always wanted to impress him, always hoping to keep his attention. Tonight, though, it felt more like she was preparing for a final goodbye.
As she applied her lipstick, her phone buzzed with a new message.
Leandro: Looking forward to tonight. I'll pick you up at 7.
Rena stared at the message for a moment, her reflection frowning back at her in the mirror. She was dreading this dinner, but she also knew it was necessary. It was time to face her past and decide, once and for all, if there was any part of it she wanted to keep.
Leandro arrived right on time, as charming as ever. He stood outside her door in a tailored jacket, his dark hair styled just so, the easy smile on his face the same one that had won her over years ago. Rena felt a familiar tug at her heart, but it was more out of nostalgia than anything else.
"Hey," Leandro said, his voice warm. "You look beautiful."
Rena gave him a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks."
They made their way to the car, and the ride to the restaurant was filled with small talk. Leandro asked about her work, her friends, and in return, he talked about his new projects and how he had been reflecting on their relationship. It was all smooth and polite, but there was a tension under the surface, something unspoken that Rena knew they would have to address before the night was over.
