I stared at her.
“After everything we’ve been through?”
She looked at me steadily.
“Ross, you chose to leave this family. I had to learn how to build a life after that. I’m not going to undo it because the life you chose didn’t work out.”
I didn’t know what to say.
Daniel appeared quietly in the hallway.
“Everything all right?”
Helena turned toward him.
“Yes, thank you.”
He nodded and stepped away.
No questions.
No interference.
Just a simple offer of support.
I hated how natural it seemed.
Before leaving, I glanced once more at the Paris photograph.
“That was supposed to be our trip,” I muttered.
Helena followed my gaze.
“Yes,” she said softly. “It was.”
Then she added, “But you left before we ever took it.”
I walked out without another word.
That evening, I finally accepted David’s offer.
He opened his front door, took one look at me, and stepped aside.
