He hung up and turned to leave, with Austin right behind him. But halfway down the corridor, he stopped and looked back at me.
"Come on, Darien. Hurry up!" Austin barked.
"Ellie," Darien called, "please take care of Mom. I’ll be back soon."
He did not even wait for a reply. He just turned and ran.
I stood there, watching the man I had once loved with all my heart walk away—again.
And softly, I whispered the only thing left to say.
"Goodbye, Darien."
Later, after arranging for my mother’s transfer to another hospital, I returned to the small apartment and began packing. There was not much I wanted to bring with me—just two boxes.
Before heading to the airport, I made one final stop—Darien’s office.
I left behind a sealed envelope.
Inside were two things. One was our divorce certificate. The other was a voice recording.
One marked the end of us.
The other would shatter what little trust remained between him and Vienna. But that part… that was their story now.
