What Blooms From Burned Love

Suri had barely stepped inside when the staff started hauling her stuff to the complex next to theirs.

Watching all the things she and Bruce once picked out get boxed up, she expected heartbreak. Didn't happen.

She was gonna move out eventually. At least she didn't have to pack. Perks.

"Mrs. Jerkinson," one of the staff said, "the new place needs a few more days. Mr. Jerkinson said you can stay here two more nights."

"Cool," she said.

After that, Suri headed to the rose garden.

It was May. Full bloom.

She told the gardener to cut every single rose and send them to Julie.

"But Mrs. Jerkinson, aren't these your favorites? You usually just take a few. You sure you want them all gone?"

"Yeah."

She parked herself on a bench and watched them work all day—snipping, clearing, loading up the truck.

By sunset, the sky was streaked in pink and purple.

Suri grabbed a torch and lit the leftovers on fire.

The flames twisted up with the dusk light—gorgeous, in a totally wrecked kind of way.

"Oh my God, what are you doing? Mr. Jerkinson planted these himself! Burning them... what a shame!"

"He's never planting anything here again. Might as well torch the past while I'm at it."

Still watching the fire, Suri pulled out her phone and called her elder brother, Connor, who was doing business overseas.

"Connor, where are you right now? I'm thinking of visiting in a few days."

"Everything okay? You and Bruce taking a trip or something?"

"Just me. Send the address—I'll come soon."

There was a pause on the line. "You're going alone? What happened? Fights happen, Suri. Let it go. Didn't Bruce make that woman end the pregnancy?"

"She's about to give birth. I already signed the divorce papers. Once the decree comes in, I'm heading your way."

Connor didn't hesitate. "That loser. Don't worry, Suri, I've got you. Our company's way bigger than his. Did he really think we can't find someone a million times better?"

He paused. "Since he screwed you over, I'm pulling every business deal we had with him. And this time, you're not stopping me."

"Go for it," Suri said. "Handle everything."

Their parents had been gone a long time, but Connor had built his life up strong overseas.

The Somerset network had carried the Jerkinsons more than Bruce ever realized.

Now that she was done with him, she didn't want a single thread tying them together—not even in business.

After hanging up, Suri headed home.

The roses were already at the villa. Julie was in the middle of them, glowing.

"Bruce! I love them! Did you send these? I've never gotten this many before!"

Bruce stared at the flowers, something about them tugging at him.

He asked a servant, who said they were from Suri—a so-called apology gift for Julie.

His face tightened. Chest, too.

Then he spotted Suri standing outside the yard. Alone. Thin. Empty-eyed.

"You're back?"

"Yeah. The other place isn't ready yet. I've got two more days."

She brushed past him into the house.

Bruce grabbed her arm. "Don't be like this. I'm not kicking you out. This is still your home. Once Julie has the baby—"

"I know. If that's all, I'm going to my room."

He looked like he wanted to follow, but Julie tugged his sleeve. "Bruce, you said you'd stay with me!"

Yeah, he didn't come back. Not right away, anyway.

After her shower, Suri stepped out to find the door cracked open. Bruce wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"I'm sorry. I know I've been distant. But once Julie has the baby, things will change, okay?"

Too late. She'd run out of disappointment to feel. She gently pushed him off.

"Pretty sure Julie's calling for you. Aren't you gonna check?"

"Really? I'll go see. Be right back."