Chapter 13
After that day, Brook didn’t show up in front of me for several days, and I was happy to enjoy
the peace.
I focused most of my energy on the designer competition, spending all my spare time
sketching designs.
After passing the second round, I submitted my designs for the semifinals.
Five days flew by, and I received the notice that I had made it to the finals.
To celebrate, I invited Linda and a few colleagues over for dinner.
While I was preparing the food, Alex rang the doorbell.
When I opened the door, Alex handed me a box.
“This is from a Michelin restaurant. It’s all
your favorites…”
“I’ve told you so many times, I don’t need this.”
“Stop wasting your efforts.”
Alex’s faint smile disappeared.
“Erica, no matter what I do, will you never forgive me?”
“I’m moving forward, Alex. I hope you can too.”
He fell silent for a while.
“Next month is Mom’s death anniversary.
Will you go back?”
“Two years ago, I missed it. I’m sorry for that.”
I was momentarily distracted, recalling the call I made to Alex that day.
He’d rather spend that day with Janis and her daughter, watching their pet give birth, than accompany Mom on her death anniversary.
Thankfully, Mom had me.
Even when I moved to another country, I always found ways to honor her memory.
This year, of course, I would go.
I shook my head.
“There’s no need to apologize to me. That’s something you should say to Mom.”
Alex apologized again, then left with the box, looking dejected.
Linda came over and gently patted my shoulder.
“Another admirer?”
“No, just someone I used to know.”
Noticing my mood, Linda didn’t press further and instead asked about the competition process.
Talking about the competition lifted the gloom in my heart.
Soon, I forgot all about unpleasant people and past events.
On the day of the finals, I sat in the audience wearing a simple black dress.
Alex, in a sharp suit, sat among the spectators.
Brook didn’t come.
When the host announced my name, the room fell silent for a moment.
Then, thunderous applause filled the air.
I stood up amidst countless gazes and walked step by step to the stage, finally holding in my hands the glory that should have been mine two years ago.
I thanked my colleagues for their support, Linda for her guidance, and my mom, who was watching over me from heaven.
I didn’t mention Alex at all.
As I stepped off the stage, Alex hurried over.
“Erica, Brook was stabbed by Janis. Do you want to see him?”
“Is he dead?”
“No, but he’s seriously injured.”
“I’m not a doctor. Seeing him won’t help.”
Alex stood there, looking devastated, unable to say another word,
Before Mom’s death anniversary, I had already flown back home.
On the anniversary day, Alex was waiting early in the hotel lobby to take me to Mom’s grave.
When we arrived, we parked outside and walked the rest of the way together.
He had brought many offerings, as if to make up for what was missing that year.
Mom’s smile on the gravestone was still as kind and gentle as ever,
The wind lifted the hem of my dress as I held my trophy, quietly talking to Mom.
Alex stood silently by my side the entire time.
As we
we left, I couldn’t hold back my tears.
Alex’s eyes turned red, and he asked,
“Is it true that no matter what Brook and I do, you’ll never forgive us?”
I wiped away my tears and replied calmly,
“I can forgive you both.
As long as you never disturb me again.”
I could never forget the torment of those days.
There was no way to go back to how things used to be.
The wounds may have healed, but the scars remained.
I didn’t want to waste my life on hatred.
So, I would let it go. I would move forward.
The last glimmer of light in Alex’s eyes dimmed.
He forced a bitter smile.
“I understand. I’ll let Brook know what you said.
“I…” His voice cracked slightly.
“I’ll move out of the apartment next door. I won’t bother you anymore.
“Alright.”
Η
“Can I ask… Will you ever come back?”
“I can’t say for sure about the future. But for now, I have no plans to return.”
