The months that followed were excruciating for Lily. She threw herself into her work, into her life, but it was all just a distraction. Every quiet moment, every empty space, reminded her of the love she had lost.
Alex's letters came sporadically, full of optimism and hope. He spoke of his work, of the people he was helping, of the peace he had found. But Lily could feel the distance growing between them, the unspoken truth that he was no longer the man she had loved, and she was no longer the woman he had left behind.
One day, she received a final letter from him. The words were simple, yet they shattered her all over again.
*Lily, I've found my purpose. It's time for me to move forward. I'll always carry you in my heart. Please don't wait for me. Find your own happiness. You deserve it.*
And with that, the love that had once felt like it could withstand anything—time, distance, life itself—was gone.
The End