After Our Fall, Love Reclaimed

I lowered my eyes and gave a slight smile.

"Jayden, thank you for arranging for Joel to pick me up at the airport."

"Lilah?"

"I came today because I want to return this to you."

I pulled a small box from my coat pocket and held it out to him. It was a necklace from a high-end brand, the only birthday gift Jayden had ever given me. I had treasured it, wearing it only on my birthdays. But now, I no longer wanted it.

Jayden didn’t reach for it, staying seated with a stony expression, his lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment of hesitation, I placed the box on the table next to him.

"Lilah, your hand..."

The girl closest to me gasped softly, her concern clear in her voice. Jayden’s attention was immediately drawn to my hand. It was covered with cracked skin. Once delicate fingers were now marked by blisters that had hardened into rough scabs, twisted and unpleasant to look at.

I quickly tucked my hand back into the sleeve of my sweater and looked up at Jayden again.

"Jayden, there’s one last thing I wanted to talk about today."

"What is it?" His voice was icy, slicing through the air.

"I must have been a burden to you all these years."

I gave him a regretful smile.

"In the past, I was immature and stubborn. I'm sorry for that."

"It won’t happen again."

With that, I didn't stay any longer and turned to leave. Just as I was crossing the threshold, Jayden called out to me.

"Lilah."

"You better mean it this time. No more false promises."

I paused for a moment but didn't look back.

"Alright."