The best man

Chapter 13

As I step through the door of my apartment, I am greeted by a heavy, familiar silence. No more arguments, no more lies, no more chaos—just silence. A part of me craves this peace, but another part feels uneasy in it. It's as if the quiet reminds me of everything I've lost, everything I'm still running from.

I run myself a bath, hoping the warm water will wash away the weight of the day. It was intense—emotionally exhausting—and now, the stillness feels overwhelming. I close my eyes, sinking beneath the surface, trying to cool off from the whirlwind of the last few weeks.

Many days pass, and I hear from Shelly that she and James have cut ties with Conor. His lying and toxic behavior were too much, and after everything that happened at the wedding, they made the decision to walk away. I did the same. After all, how could any of us keep holding on to someone who only ever brought us pain?

Anne Marie left New York for Chicago soon after the wedding. Shelly says she's trying to rebuild her life, focusing on the baby. Shelly also tells me the baby might arrive sooner than expected. There's a bittersweetness in hearing her news—hope in the midst of all this brokenness.

As for me, I spend my days wandering the streets of New York, trying to find some sense of normalcy. Thanksgiving is around the corner, and as I shop for the holiday, I find myself drifting through the bustling market. The cold air nips at my cheeks, my coat wrapped tightly around me as I browse the stalls, lost in thought.

That's when I spot Mr. Jenkins, his familiar figure standing by a vendor, inspecting some produce.

"Mr. Jenkins!" I call out, surprised to see him.

He looks up, just as surprised, but his face lights up with warmth. I didn't expect such a warm reception, especially after everything with Ethan.

"Oh, gracious God, Lily!" he says, pulling me into a hug. "It's so good to see you! How have you been, dear?"

We exchange pleasantries, catching up on the small details of life. It feels comforting, even in the middle of all the turmoil. We laugh a bit, talking about how unpredictable life can be, until the conversation inevitably turns to Ethan.

"I heard what happened with Ethan," Mr. Jenkins says gently, his eyes softening with understanding.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, the guilt rising in my chest. "I should've communicated better. I jumped to conclusions, assumed the worst... It was a stupid mistake."

Mr. Jenkins places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "It happens to the best of us, Lily. We all make mistakes, especially when we're scared of getting hurt."

He pauses, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face. "You know, I went through something similar with my wife once. Almost lost her, too, because I didn't communicate properly. I made assumptions, just like you did, and it nearly cost me the best thing that ever happened to me."

My curiosity piqued, I ask, "What happened?"

He chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with the memory. "Years ago, before Ethan was even a thought, my wife and I had a rough patch. We were young, ambitious, and we had a fight about something silly—something that felt so important at the time, but looking back now, I can't even remember what it was. I assumed she was done with me. Instead of talking it through, I let my pride get in the way. Days turned into weeks, and we drifted apart."

He sighs, his expression growing more serious. "One day, I found out through a mutual friend that she was considering leaving town for good. That's when it hit me—if I didn't swallow my pride and go after her, I'd lose her forever."

He pauses, looking me directly in the eyes. "So I did. I found her, I apologized, and I fought like hell to win her back. If I hadn't? Well, there'd be no Ethan, no family. It's funny how life works sometimes."

I smile at his story, feeling the weight of his words. "But what if Ethan doesn't want to see me? What if it's too late, and I've ruined things beyond repair?"

Mr. Jenkins shakes his head firmly. "I know my son, Lily. He loves you, even if he's hurt right now. You need to go to him. You need to talk to him, tell him the truth, and let him decide how to feel. Don't let fear stop you."

I nod, but the fear still gnaws at me. "But... I don't even know where he is in London. What if I go and it's all for nothing?"

He brushes off my concern with a wave of his hand. "You leave that part to me. I'll give you his address and where he works. But Lily, remember—don't just go through the motions. If you want to fix this, you need to be honest with him. Completely. That's what saved my marriage, and it's the only thing that might save this relationship too."

I take the small piece of paper he offers me, his handwriting scrawled across it. His words linger in my mind, resonating deeply.

"Thank you," I say, my voice soft but full of gratitude.

He smiles warmly. "You're a good person, Lily. Don't let one mistake define you. Go get your happy ending, but be ready to fight for it."