Five Years Of Marriage And I Was A Name He’d Never Mentioned Chapter 09

Five Years Of Marriage And I Was A Name He’d Never Mentioned Chapter 09

In my second year in Ashford City, I met Graham Foster.

He was the head of a partner company. A couple years older than me. Gentle when he spoke. Thorough in everything he did.

The first time we really talked, I was doubled over with a stomach ache, my face pale, forcing myself to keep revising a proposal.

He didn’t say much. He just had his assistant bring over a bowl of chicken noodle soup and some antacids. Set them on my desk.

“Eat first.”

“The project won’t die because you’re ten minutes late.”

I looked up at him, surprised.

It had been so long since anyone had told me to take care of myself first, in that matter-of-fact way.

As we got to know each other, I realized Graham was nothing like Brandon.

He never played games. No hot-and-cold. Never made me guess.

If he wanted to see me, he said it.

If he was worried about me, he said it.

If he liked me, he said it.

That night after working late, he walked me home. In the elevator, just the two of us, he looked down at me.

“Lauren Cole. I’m seriously trying to win you over.”

“Take your time deciding.”

“But don’t doubt that I mean it.”

My chest gave a small shake.

Almost without thinking, I looked at the ranking above his head.

Number one: Lauren Cole. Number two: Grandma.

I stared for a few seconds, then laughed.

So not every kind of like has to be guessed at.

And not every love has to hurt first before it can prove itself.

Later, I ran into Brandon at an industry conference.

He was more steady than two years ago. Confident when he spoke. Standing on stage, he was still impressive.

His career hadn’t collapsed. If anything, it was better.

But that “better” had nothing to do with me anymore.

After the session, he saw me in the crowd and stopped walking immediately.

I was in a white blazer, with Graham beside me.

Brandon’s gaze fell on the space between us, and the light in his eyes dimmed inch by inch.

Still, he walked over.

“Lauren.”

I nodded. “Mr. Cole.”

That “Mr. Cole” landed like a blade in his chest.

He managed a weak smile, then looked at Graham. “And this is?”

Graham naturally took my bag from me, his voice calm. “I’m her boyfriend.”

In that instant, whatever light was left in Brandon’s eyes seemed to die completely.

He was quiet for a long time. Then he said, hoarsely, “That’s good.”

Was it really good?

Probably not.

But that was his problem now. Not mine.

As I turned to leave, he called out quietly.

“Lauren.”

“Here’s what I figured out too late. Love isn’t about bringing someone back home.”

“It’s about never letting them get rained on in the first place.”

I paused.

Then I said softly, “Too bad you figured it out so late.”

Graham took my hand. His palm was dry and warm.

I didn’t look back.

Behind us, there was only silence.

The silence of someone finally accepting that the deepest regret in this world isn’t never having something.

It’s having it once and throwing it away yourself.