When Love Becomes Past Tense Chapter 15

Five years later.

Central Park was painted in autumn colors, leaves paving the paths.

I was pushing a stroller while Roman held the hand of our four-year-old son, Noah. We were taking a leisurely family stroll.

Noah suddenly pointed ahead. "Mommy, that man is staring at us."

I followed his finger. A gaunt figure stood under a tree. It was Caleb Sterling.

He looked years older than he should have, hair greying, radiating a sense of decay.

Our eyes met in the air. His were filled with complicated emotions.

Roman sensed it and instinctively shielded me and the kids behind him.

"Don't go over there," I whispered to Roman. "Let him look."

"It's probably the only thing he can do now."

Caleb stood there for a long time. Finally, he bowed deeply, turned, and walked away.

The autumn wind blew, swirling the fallen leaves.

Some people are destined to be just passersby in your life.

And some people are meant to walk with you until the very end.

I squeezed Roman’s hand.

"Let's go home."

"Okay."

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting the long, connected shadows of our family of four onto the ground.

This was the best ending.

[End]