Sophia walked briskly down the cobblestone streets of the city, the crisp autumn air tingling against her skin. She was on her way to meet a client for a quick lunch meeting, her leather satchel slung over her shoulder and her thoughts occupied with the designs for a new urban renewal project. Life had fallen into a comforting rhythm lately. Her relationship with Adrian was stronger than ever, and their dream home was finally under construction.
As she approached a quiet café tucked into a corner of the bustling square, she paused to take in the warm aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries wafting from inside. She reached for the door, but a voice behind her froze her in place.
"Sophia?"
She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat as she came face to face with Ethan. His familiar green eyes, once so warm and inviting, now held a mix of hesitation and something else she couldn't quite place—regret.
"Ethan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He looked almost the same as she remembered, though there was an undeniable weariness in his features. His hair was shorter, and he seemed leaner, but his presence still carried that same inexplicable pull that once had a hold on her heart.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Ethan said, a small, tentative smile tugging at his lips.
Sophia's mind raced. It had been years since their painful breakup, years since she had made the decision to rebuild her life without him. Yet, seeing him now brought back a flood of memories—both the good and the deeply painful.
"I could say the same," she replied, her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions inside her. "What brings you here?"
"I moved back to the city a few months ago," he explained. "Work opportunities. And… I was hoping I might run into you someday."
Sophia felt a flicker of unease at his words. "Why?"
Ethan hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to apologize, Sophia. For everything. For the way I treated you, for the way I threw away what we had. You didn't deserve any of it."
Sophia's chest tightened. She had waited years to hear those words, but now that they were spoken, they didn't bring the solace she once imagined. Instead, they stirred old wounds she thought had long since healed.
"Ethan," she began, her tone cautious, "what's the point of rehashing all of this now? We've both moved on."
"I know," he said quickly. "I'm not here to disrupt your life. I just… I needed you to know that I regret everything. I've thought about you so much over the years, and I hate how I left things between us."
Sophia studied him for a moment, searching for sincerity in his expression. She found it, but it didn't soften her resolve.
"I appreciate the apology," she said finally, her voice firm. "But I've moved on, Ethan. I'm in a different place now—a better place. And I don't need closure from you. I found that on my own."
Her words seemed to hit him like a physical blow, but he nodded slowly. "I understand. And I'm glad you've found happiness. You deserve that."
Sophia nodded, her heart feeling unexpectedly heavy. "I hope you find peace, too."
With that, she turned and walked into the café, her shoulders squared. She didn't look back.
---
That evening, Sophia sat in her apartment, staring out the window at the city lights. Adrian was working late at the office, and the quietness of the space felt almost oppressive. Her encounter with Ethan lingered in her mind, stirring emotions she thought she had buried.
When her phone buzzed, she glanced down and saw Adrian's name on the screen.
"Hey," she answered, her voice soft.
"Hey," Adrian said, his tone warm despite the exhaustion she could hear in it. "How was your day?"
Sophia hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell him the truth. "I ran into Ethan today."
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Adrian spoke again. "How did that go?"
"It was… strange," she admitted. "He apologized for everything. Said he regrets how he treated me."
"And how did you feel about that?"
Sophia leaned back against the couch, her thoughts tumbling over one another. "I thought hearing those words would give me closure. But the truth is, I don't need it anymore. Seeing him just reminded me of how far I've come—and how much I don't miss that part of my life."
Adrian was silent for a moment, and when he spoke, his voice was laced with relief. "I'm glad you feel that way. You deserve so much more than what he gave you."
Sophia smiled, the weight on her chest easing. "I have so much more now. I have you."
---
The following weekend, Adrian surprised Sophia with a day trip to a vineyard just outside the city. As they wandered through rows of grapevines, the golden sunlight casting a warm glow over the landscape, Sophia felt her worries slipping away.
They sat on a wooden bench overlooking the sprawling fields, a bottle of wine and two glasses between them. Adrian reached for her hand, his thumb brushing gently against her skin.
"I know you've been through a lot," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "And I know trusting someone again wasn't easy for you. But I want you to know that I'm all in, Sophia. Whatever it takes to make you happy, I'll do it."
Sophia looked at him, her heart swelling with emotion. "You already make me happy, Adrian. I've never felt this way before—safe, loved, understood. You've given me something I didn't think I'd ever have again."
Adrian smiled, leaning closer to press a kiss to her forehead. "That's all I've ever wanted—to show you what love should be."
As they sat together, the vineyard stretching out before them, Sophia felt a profound sense of gratitude. The ghosts of her past no longer haunted her, and the love she shared with Adrian was something she now cherished deeply.
Ethan's apology had been a reminder of where she had been, but it was Adrian who showed her where she was meant to be. And for that, she knew she would always choose him.