"Rose?" John whispered, voice trembling. Then louder—"No… no!"
His cry broke through the air like glass shattering.
Sarah started to weep, covering her face as Leah held her, shaken. The sound of John's voice, raw and broken, echoed until he collapsed. The shock was too much—just like last year, when he learned Rose had been seeing Sam. But this… Kevin and Rose together… this was worse.
He had chased after Rose once, fought to be the man she needed—but never quite was.
I was there when she needed comfort, he thought, but never when she needed love.
Kevin had been the one who rushed to her side, who stayed through her silence and her storms.
Who am I to interfere now?
"John! John, wake up!" Sarah's voice shook as she knelt beside him. He opened his eyes, disoriented, tears escaping freely.
"Sarah…" His voice broke. "I finally understand. You were always there. You loved me through everything—and I was too blind to see." He reached up, his hand trembling as it brushed her cheek. "I'm so sorry."
She froze. Then, as his words sank in, she began to cry too—pulling him close, holding him tightly as if to quiet every unspoken thing between them.
---
Leah woke later in Sarah's room, her head pounding with the weight of memory. She sat up slowly, realizing where she was, and the moment it all came back—Rose and Kevin under the streetlight—tears welled again.
Her mother stepped in softly. "Leah, honey…"
"Mom, please," Leah whispered. "I'm alright. I just need to move on. Let's go to Los Angeles. I'm ready."
Her father appeared at the door. "No, sweetheart. Stay here for a while. Handle the business. You'll find your own rhythm again."
After they left, Leah walked toward the door, only to find Sarah and John standing there hand in hand.
"You're awake," Sarah said, relief flooding her face. "How do you feel?"
Leah smiled weakly. "Just tired. Don't worry." She glanced at John. "You nearly gave us all a scare, you know."
John rubbed his neck, embarrassed. "Yeah, fainting's… kind of my thing, apparently."
"Sort of dramatic for a man," Leah teased, managing a small laugh.
John smirked. "Well, mistress of beauty, that's how I deal with shock."
Leah blinked, then burst out laughing so hard her stomach hurt. "What did you just call me?"
He grinned. "You look too beautiful not to say it."
Sarah playfully nudged him. "And what about me?"
"You," he said softly, eyes on her, "are beautiful to me—always."
Sarah blushed. "You're learning," she teased, and they all laughed together, the heaviness around them slowly breaking.
---
Later, they wandered into a nearby park, the air cool and full of green. For a while, they said nothing—just let the wind carry their thoughts.
Leah finally asked, "Sarah, are you going to Los Angeles?"
Sarah hesitated. "No. I've decided to stay."
John's head lifted sharply. "Really? You're not going?"
She smiled. "Why? Disappointed?"
He looked flustered. "No—it's just… I don't want to lose you again."
Sarah's laughter was soft and genuine. "You sound like a child, John."
"Then I'll be the child who learns from his mistakes," he said with a half-smile. "This time, I'm keeping my eyes on you."
She flushed, looking away. Leah watched them quietly, the corner of her lips lifting. "I should go," she said. "You two need this moment more than I do."
"Leah—"
"It's fine," she interrupted gently. "I'll be okay. Let's meet tomorrow to plan the company launch."
She waved and left, her car disappearing down the road.
---
As silence settled again, John turned to Sarah. "I'll start working on something for you—a new building. In your name."
Sarah froze, eyes wide. "John…" Her voice trembled. "You've always done things for Rose without hesitation. To hear you say you'll do something for me—it means more than you think."
He looked at her, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Sarah, I've been a fool."
She shook her head. "No. You just loved someone who couldn't stay. I understand that. I've always known how you look at her—the softness in your eyes when she walks in. I never blamed you for it. But one day…"
Her voice softened. "One day, you'll look at me the same way. And when you do, I'll still be here."
---
Meanwhile, far away, Kevin held Rose close as the night wind swept through the curtains. She was weak, her body still aching from emotion and exhaustion. He helped her into the bath, his touch careful, reverent.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked softly.
"A little," she murmured. "But only in places love leaves behind."
He smiled faintly, brushed a strand of hair from her face, and carried her back to bed.
As she dressed, he caught her reflection in the mirror and paused.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
She turned, blushing. "And you look like trouble."
He laughed quietly, pulling her into his arms. "Then let's both be in trouble together."
Their laughter lingered as they fell asleep—two hearts still tangled in something too deep to name, too fragile to lose.