The Star That Lit the Way

I turned my head in embarrassment, but their words still reached me.

Jason and Amber’s love story had begun like something out of a fairy tale.

Back then, she’d married me in haste, a decision pressured by her family.

Then Jason appeared.

He was remarkable. Though fully capable of running his own company, he chose instead to stay by Amber’s side as her assistant.

During their time together, their feelings deepened rapidly.

I was furious.

Whether we had a loveless marriage or not, Amber was still my wife.

But Jason believed she deserved better. So he pursued Amber relentlessly.

Amber resisted at first, clinging to her principles. Yet under his devotion, they reached an unspoken agreement: he would remain, not as a lover, but as something undefined.

How poetic.

I turned my face toward the shadows, hiding the redness in my eyes.

Luna raised her brows triumphantly at me.

“Daddy, why didn’t you let Mommy go? All the stories say this is how the prince and princess end up together.”

Her innocent words tore open wounds I’d tried hard to seal.

“Luna—” I began, but Amber quickly cut me off, afraid I’d lose my temper at Luna.

But I just smiled and gently touched Luna’s cheek.

“You’re right, sweetheart. It was Daddy’s fault for standing in the way of the prince and the princess. But from now on, I’ll try to be a proper knight instead. Would that be okay?”

They were the gentlest words I’d ever spoken, yet Luna squirmed away, leaving my hand suspended.

It might have been the most awkward meal I’d ever had, but Luna looked delighted, and Amber’s laughter never once faded.

And that was enough.

No matter how much humiliation I endured, as long as I could be sure they would be happy, that was enough.

Later, I turned down Amber’s offer to walk home together and headed in the opposite direction.

There was no place for me in this city.

My parents lived far away, tucked away in a quiet mountain village.

We were worlds apart.

I had once offered to bring them here, but they had refused.

Now, I needed to give them an explanation.

When the call connected, my Mom’s startled voice rang through the line.

She asked if I was doing well.

I smiled and replied, “I’m doing great, Mom. I—”

But no one knew me better than she did.

Almost instantly, she sensed what I couldn’t yet say.

Her voice softened.

“Dante, you’ve always been strong-willed. You left here all on your own. I’ve always been proud of that.

“All these years, you'd call saying life was good. I couldn't verify it, but this hesitation now… You're finally chasing that dream, aren't you? Your teacher would approve.”

Back in high school, my family couldn’t afford my tuition, so it was my beloved teacher who scraped it together for me. She had asked for nothing in return.

All she ever said was, “You must never forget where you came from. When you make it out, I want you to pass this kindness on.”

That single act had shaped my life's purpose to lead others out of difficult life situations as I'd been led.

“Thank you, Mom, ” I whispered as my voice cracked with emotion.

She began to cry, too.

She didn’t ask about Luna. She didn’t question my decision. She just comforted me.

“Dante, your Dad and I are still healthy. No matter what you decide to do, we’ll support you. As for Luna… we'll keep an eye on her.”

“Mom, I’ve transferred all my savings to you. The divorce papers will reach Amber soon. Whether or not she remarries, Luna must never want for anything.

“As for you and Dad… I owe you everything. I’m sorry.”