Hi. But… Do you think there's any part of you that might be able to forgive him?"
Esther sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know. Maybe. I just… I don't know how to trust him again. What if there are more lies? What if this is just the tip of the iceberg?"
Saffy placed a hand on Esther's shoulder, offering her a supportive smile. "Only you can decide what feels right, but from what you've told me, Wilson seems genuinely sorry. People make mistakes, especially when they're scared. I'm not excusing what he did, but maybe he deserves a chance to explain himself fully."
Esther nodded slowly, her heart torn between the love she still felt for Wilson and the pain of his betrayal. "I know you're right. But I just need more time."
While Esther was processing her feelings, Wilson was confiding in Mick. One evening, they met up at their usual spot by the river, where they often went to clear their heads.
Mick handed Wilson a beer and took a seat on the grass beside him. "So, how's it going with Esther?" Mick asked, his tone cautious.
Wilson sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. "Not good. I told her the truth. She's hurt, Mick. I don't know if she's ever going to forgive me."
Mick nodded, his expression sympathetic. "It was always going to be tough, man. But you did the right thing by telling her. Now you just have to give her space and hope she can come around."
"I just feel like an idiot," Wilson admitted. "I've spent so much of my life hiding behind this lie, and now I've ruined everything with the one person I really care about."
Mick patted him on the back, offering a small smile. "Hey, we all screw up sometimes. What matters is how you move forward from here. You can't change the past, but you can try to make things right."
Wilson nodded, though he wasn't sure if he believed Mick's words. He had made such a mess of things, and now he could only wait and hope that Esther would find it in her heart to forgive him.
During this tumultuous time, Esther sought the wisdom of her parents, Helen and Richard. She had always admired their strong, loving relationship, and she hoped they could offer her some guidance.
One afternoon, Esther drove out to her parents' home, seeking the comfort of their familiar presence. Helen welcomed her with open arms, and Richard offered her a cup of tea as they all sat down in the cosy living room.
Esther hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure of how to explain everything. But as soon as she began, the words came pouring out.
"I found out that Wilson's been lying to me," Esther said, her voice trembling slightly. "He's not actually blind. He's been pretending this whole time, and I don't understand why."
Helen and Richard exchanged a glance, their expressions concerned but calm. Helen reached over and took Esther's hand in hers. "That must have been a huge shock, sweetheart. I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now."
"It was," Esther admitted. "I feel so betrayed. But at the same time… I don't think he meant to hurt me. He seemed genuinely sorry."
Richard nodded thoughtfully. "Sometimes people lie because they're afraid—afraid of being judged or rejected. It doesn't make it right, but it does make it human. The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you believe he can change."
Helen squeezed Esther's hand gently. "You've always had a good heart, Esther. You'll figure out what's best for you. But just remember that forgiveness is not about forgetting—it's about understanding. If you think Wilson deserves a second chance, then trust yourself to make that decision."
Esther listened to her parents' words, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. They had always known how to guide her without pushing her in any particular direction. She appreciated their wisdom and felt a little more clarity beginning to emerge.
"Thank you," Esther said softly. "I just need to take things one day at a time, I guess."
Helen smiled warmly, patting her daughter's hand. "That's all any of us can do, darling."
After several weeks of soul-searching and conversations with her friends and family, Esther decided it was time to talk to Wilson again. She wasn't sure if she was ready to forgive him fully, but she knew she couldn't leave things unresolved forever.
She called him one afternoon, and they agreed to meet at a quiet café near the park. When she arrived, Wilson was already there, sitting at a table near the window, his hands nervously gripping a coffee cup. When he saw her, his face lit up with a mixture of relief and hope.
Esther sat down across from him, her heart racing as she looked into his eyes. She could see the exhaustion in his face, the weight of the guilt he had been carrying. But she could also see the sincerity in his gaze, and that gave her a glimmer of hope.
"Thank you for meeting me," Wilson said softly, his voice full of emotion.
Esther nodded, her hands clasped together on the table. "I needed to talk to you. I've been doing a lot of thinking."
Wilson swallowed hard, bracing
Wilson braced himself for whatever Esther had to say next. He had been waiting for this moment, the hope that she might still give him a chance battling with the fear that it was too late. Her calm demeanour didn't give him any clues, so all he could do was wait in agonising suspense.
Esther took a deep breath and began, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "Wilson, I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened between us. About the lies, the hurt, and how much I've been struggling with it all."
Wilson's heart sank, but he nodded. "I understand. You have every right to feel that way."
Esther paused, looking down at her hands for a moment before continuing. "I won't lie—what you did hurt me deeply. It's hard to reconcile the person I fell in love with and the lies you told. But I also know that you didn't lie to hurt me. You were scared, and you made a terrible choice."
Wilson's breath caught at the word "love." It was the first time she had said it, and despite the difficult conversation they were having, it filled him with a tiny spark of hope.
"I've talked to my friends, my parents, and even spent a lot of time thinking on my own," Esther continued. "And the truth is, I can't pretend like you didn't mean something to me. But trust… trust is the hardest thing to rebuild."
Wilson nodded again, his voice soft and pleading. "I know, Esther. I know I destroyed your trust, and that's something I have to live with. But I want to spend every day proving to you that I can be the man you thought I was—the man I want to be for you. I'll do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes."
Esther's eyes softened, and she reached out to touch his hand. "I don't know what the future holds for us, Wilson. But I'm willing to give you a chance—one chance—to show me that you're worth trusting again. This isn't going to be easy, and I can't promise that everything will work out. But I don't want to walk away from something that could still be beautiful."
Wilson's heart leaped in his chest. He squeezed her hand gently, his voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you, Esther. Thank you for giving me this chance. I swear, I won't let you down."
Esther offered him a small, tentative smile. "We'll take things slow, one step at a time. And I need you to be honest with me from now on. No more lies, no matter how small."
Wilson nodded fervently. "I promise. No more lies. You'll get nothing but the truth from me."
They sat in silence for a moment, both of them feeling the weight of the moment and the potential for something new to grow from the ashes of their previous relationship. It wouldn't be easy, but both of them were willing to try.
Over the next few weeks, Esther and Wilson navigated their new reality with caution. They spent more time together, talking about their lives, their hopes, and their fears. There were moments of tension and moments of warmth, but through it all, they were honest with each other.
Wilson found himself slowly shedding the layers of insecurity that had led him to pretend to be blind in the first place. He opened up to Esther about his past—about the fear of being seen as weak or pitied, and the pressure he had felt to create a version of himself that people would find interesting and worthy of attention.
Esther, in turn, shared her own vulnerabilities. She told Wilson about the fear of being hurt again, the walls she had built around her heart after her last relationship ended in betrayal. In some ways, they were both healing, not just from Wilson's lie, but from wounds that had been there long before they met each other.
Saffy and Mick became their anchors during this time, offering advice and support. Saffy reminded Esther to trust her instincts and take things at her own pace, while Mick encouraged Wilson to keep being open and vulnerable, no matter how hard it was.
One night, Mick invited both Wilson and Esther to dinner at his apartment. Saffy was there too, and the four of them enjoyed a relaxed evening filled with laughter and conversation. For the first time in weeks, Esther felt a sense of normalcy returning.
As the night went on, Saffy leaned over to Esther and whispered, "You know, you're stronger than you give yourself credit for. You're handling this whole thing with grace."
Esther smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "I don't always feel strong," she admitted. "But I'm trying. I really want to give this a chance."
Saffy squeezed her arm. "And that's all that matters. As long as you're doing what feels right for you."
Mick, meanwhile, pulled Wilson aside while they were in the kitchen grabbing more drinks. "You're doing good, man," Mick said, clapping Wilson on the back. "I can see the difference in you. Just keep being honest, and you'll be alright."
Wilson nodded, feeling grateful for his friend's unwavering support. "Thanks, Mick. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Just don't screw it up again," Mick said with a grin. "She's a keeper."
Wilson chuckled, but he knew Mick was right. Esther was more than just someone special to him—she was the person who had given him a second chance at love, and he wasn't going to let that
As time passed, Wilson and Esther grew closer again. Their relationship wasn't without its challenges, but each day brought a new opportunity to build trust and deepen their connection.
One weekend, Wilson suggested they take a trip out of town to a cabin in the woods. He wanted to do something special for Esther—something that would allow them both to relax and enjoy each other's company away from the pressures of the city.
Esther agreed, and they spent the weekend hiking, co
oking together, and sitting by the fire, talking late into the night. It was during this trip that they both realised just how much they had grown—not only as a couple but as individuals.