Selene's Pov
The morning light streamed through the curtains of the living room, warming the quiet space. I stood in the kitchen, pouring coffee into Antonio's favorite navy-blue mug — the one that said "CEO, but cooler". I could already hear him humming something from the shower upstairs.
The doorbell rang.
I padded to the door, expecting a courier or maybe Mira with a surprise visit. But as I opened it, a chill ran through me — like someone had cracked open an old, locked box.
There she stood.
Alina.
Poised and polished, in high heels and a beige coat tied perfectly around her waist. Her hair was styled in loose, glossy waves, and she smiled as if she hadn't vanished from Antonio's life without a word.
"Selene," she said smoothly, her eyes flicking over me. "You're just as lovely as I imagined."
I blinked, heart stammering. "Alina. What are you doing here?"
She tilted her head. "I heard Antonio's been doing well. A mansion. A new life. I had to see it for myself."
I didn't respond. But I didn't need to.
Footsteps came from behind. Antonio, toweling his damp hair, paused when he saw who stood at the door.
His entire body stilled. "...Alina?"
She gave a soft laugh. "Still as sharp as ever."
Antonio's brows drew together. "How do you even know where I live?"
She smiled, not answering. "I thought I'd check in. Say hello. Offer closure."
Antonio crossed his arms and stepped beside me. "Closure came the day you left without a word. You chose silence, and I chose peace."
Her gaze flicked to me. "You've moved on then. Quickly."
His hand brushed mine behind the door. "It wasn't quick. It was right."
I didn't speak — just watched, studying her.
"You didn't even tell me about her," Alina said with a feigned pout.
"There was nothing to tell you," Antonio replied calmly. "Because you weren't around to listen. And even if you were — Selene is part of the life I built without you. The life I wanted."
Alina looked around the house behind me, her eyes flickering with subtle envy. "So it's true. The home… everything."
"Yes," Antonio said, voice low and sure. "I designed it with her in mind. Every corner. Every inch. Because she stayed."
That made her flinch — just slightly.
I stepped forward. "If you came here for closure, you have it. If you came for more, you're not going to find it."
For the first time, Alina looked uncertain. And quiet.
"I see," she murmured. "Well… I guess I just needed to see it for myself."
"You have," Antonio said. "Goodbye, Alina."
She turned, walking away in heels that clicked like closing doors on old chapters.
When Antonio closed the door, he exhaled a long breath. Then he turned to me.
"I didn't expect that," he admitted.
"I didn't expect her to be so… polite," I said, only half-joking.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around me. "I'm sorry if that startled you."
"It didn't. I just... didn't like how she looked at you."
He pulled back slightly to meet my eyes. "She's not part of my story anymore. You are."
I melted into him, holding tight. "I know."
And somewhere in that embrace, I felt the past dissolve entirely — like a name scratched out from a page we no longer needed to reread.