Chapter 5: The Meeting
Charlee stood outside the small, dimly lit café, her heart pounding in her chest. The place was one she and Liam used to frequent, a spot they’d claimed as “theirs” during the early days of their relationship. Now, it felt like a relic of a life she no longer recognized. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle, before steeling herself and stepping inside.
Liam was already there, seated at their usual corner table. He looked different—tired, disheveled, a far cry from the polished man she’d once known. When he saw her, he stood up quickly, his expression a mix of relief and guilt. “Charlee,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “Thank you for coming.”
She didn’t return his smile. Instead, she slid into the seat across from him, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “This had better be good, Liam. I’m not here to rehash the past. Say what you need to say, and then we’re done.”
He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “I know I don’t deserve your time, but I needed to see you. To explain.”
Charlee raised an eyebrow, her tone icy. “Explain what? How you cheated on me with my half-sister? Or how you left me at the altar in front of everyone we know? Because honestly, Liam, I’m not sure there’s an explanation good enough for that.”
He flinched, his gaze dropping to the table. “I know I messed up. I know I hurt you, and I’ll never forgive myself for that. But it wasn’t just about her, Charlee. It was about us. About how… how I felt like I was losing myself in this relationship. Like I was just playing a role instead of being me.”
Charlee stared at him, her anger simmering beneath the surface. “So, what? You’re saying this is my fault?”
“No,” he said quickly, his eyes pleading. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just trying to be honest. I got scared, Charlee. Scared of the life we were building, scared of the expectations. And instead of talking to you about it, I ran. I made the worst possible choice, and I hurt the person I care about most. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life.”
For a moment, Charlee didn’t know what to say. She’d expected excuses, maybe even denial, but not this raw, unfiltered honesty. It didn’t make what he’d done okay, but it did make her see him in a different light. “You should’ve talked to me,” she said quietly. “We could’ve figured it out together.”
“I know,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I was too much of a coward. And now… now I’ve lost you.”
Charlee looked away, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She didn’t want to cry in front of him, didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he’d hurt her. But the truth was, she still cared. Despite everything, a part of her would always care.
“Liam,” she said finally, her voice steady, “I can’t forgive you. Not yet, maybe not ever. But I do understand. And I hope, for your sake, you figure out what you want before you hurt someone else the way you hurt me.”
He nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I understand. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Truly.”
Charlee stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. “Goodbye, Liam.”
As she walked out of the café, she felt a strange sense of relief. It wasn’t closure, not exactly, but it was a step forward. And for now, that was enough.
Back at her apartment, Kane was waiting for her. He was sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV, but he sat up when she walked in. “How’d it go?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
Charlee dropped her purse on the counter and sank into the chair across from him. “It was… intense. He apologized. Said he got scared, felt like he was losing himself. I don’t know. Part of me wants to believe him, but the other part just feels… numb.”
Kane nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like he’s got a lot of figuring out to do. But what about you? How are you feeling?”
She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Honestly? I don’t know. I thought seeing him would give me closure, but now I just feel… empty.”
Kane leaned forward, his gaze steady. “Maybe closure isn’t about him. Maybe it’s about you. About figuring out what you want, what makes you happy.”
Charlee looked at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Since when did you become my life coach?”
He grinned, that familiar spark of mischief returning. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep you on track. And I’ve got a vested interest in seeing you happy.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And why’s that?”
Kane stood up, crossing the room to sit beside her. “Because,” he said, his voice low and teasing, “I like you, firecracker. And I’m not going anywhere until you admit you like me too.”
Charlee laughed, the sound surprising even herself. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“So I’ve been told,” he said, his grin widening. “But you’re stuck with me, so you might as well get used to it.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Charlee felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she didn’t have all the answers yet, but with Kane by her side, she was starting to believe she could figure it out. And for now, that was enough.