Chapter 24
Chapter 16
The week had drained Colette–each day blurring into the next with relentless demands that left her weary and hollow. All she longed for was the solace of her bed, a sanctuary where she could retreat and sleep away the exhaustion of the past week. But the weekend loomed, stacked with a list of chores: grocery shopping with Zoe, a mountain of laundry, and other mundane tasks she had neglected. Amidst this sea of obligations was the date with Matt, an appointment that had gnawed at her thoughts and stolen her sleep for days.
Why had Matt invited her out? The question was a relentless whisper in her mind, echoing through her waking hours and disturbing her dreams. What was his motive? What could he possibly hope to achieve by reviving a semblance of the life they once shared, when everything between them was unraveling? Only time would tell. Yet, there was more at stake than just the enigmatic nature of the date, Colette needed to address the matter of Danny’s birthday–an
event she hoped might draw Matt back into the embrace of his family. His siblings had drifted into their own lives, leaving Matt with a deep loneliness that
only seemed to grow with time. Christmas and New Year’s brought fleeting joy, but the emptiness that followed was palpable. Colette had imagined a future
where their own children would fill that void, but now, with their lives poised to diverge, she hoped to give him one last gift: a reason to reconnect with the
family he had been so distanced from. Even if she couldn’t be part of that future, she wanted him to find solace and support in the ties of family.
Friday night arrived with the promise of a quiet evening. Zoe and Colette were nestled on the couch, lost in the world of television, when the ring of the doorbell sliced through the hum of the show. Zoe, always curious and cheerful, bounded to the door. Moments later, she returned with a smile that hinted at
mischief.
“Red roses, Mum…” Zoe’s voice was bright, a stark contrast to the grey cloud that hovered over Colette’s heart. “Special delivery for you, Cole…” She grinned as she handed over the elegant bouquet, the deep red petals a striking contrast against the crisp white paper.
Colette accepted the flowers with a mixture of confusion and resignation. The card, inscribed in Matt’s familiar handwriting, bore a simple message: “Can’t
wait for our date.”
The roses sat heavily in Colette’s hands, their vibrant color stark against the dull ache that had settled in her chest. And suddenly all of Zoe’s excitement over the flowers were gone. Zoe’s comment, dismissive and detached, did little to alleviate the storm brewing within her. “Doesn’t look that beautiful anyway,” Zoe muttered, turning her attention back to the television. But for Colette, the flowers were not just an object; they were a painful reminder of the gaping chasm between what was and what could have been.
As she stared at the roses, the contradictions of Matt’s gesture pierced her deeply. For the past two years, their marriage had been marked by distance and disconnection. Matt had never taken the time to offer such a gesture–no flowers, no personal notes. And now, as their relationship teetered on the brink of dissolution, he had chosen this moment to send her roses. What did it mean? Was it a desperate attempt to salvage something that was beyond repair, or a final, hollow gesture of regret?
Saturday’s evening promised a gentle, idyllic escape, but as twilight fell, the weather turned hostile. By eight PM, when Matt arrived to pick Colette up, the sky was unleashing a torrential downpour. The rain pelted down in relentless sheets, turning the world outside into a blur of grey and silver.
As Matt stepped into Colette’s doorway, his presence was a welcome contrast to the stormy night. “You look wonderful, my darling,” he said, his voice warm and his smile genuine. He placed a brief, affectionate kiss on her cheek, the kind that was meant to soothe and reassure.
“You look good too,” she murmured, pressing her cheek against his as she took him in from head to toe. Matt’s appearance was as striking as ever–clean- shaven, his bright eyes locked onto her with a single–minded focus. Yet, Colette noticed a subtle change. He seemed to have lost a little weight recently, a detail she couldn’t ignore.
“Shall we go?” Matt’s question was light, but the moment carried an undercurrent of unspoken tension. Colette nodded, slipping her arm into his as they prepared to leave.
1/2
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
