Frederick looked different.
Tired.
Regretful.
His mother wasn't beside him.
“Lisa,” he whispered, “I made the biggest mistake of my life.”
I glanced at Silas.
He didn't interrupt.
He simply waited for my choice.
I looked back at Frederick.
“You didn't lose me when you chose her,” I said. “You lost me every time you allowed your mother to humiliate me.”
His eyes filled with tears.
But I felt nothing except peace.
I reached for Silas's hand.
Frederick watched us walk away together.
For years, I had wondered why his mother never considered me good enough.
Now I understood.
I wasn't supposed to compete for a place in their family.
I was supposed to find someone who would choose me without hesitation.
And Silas did.
He squeezed my hand.
I smiled.
Behind us, Frederick stood alone.
For once, I didn't look back.
