“Hey, I’d like some lilies.”
I looked up–it was my college ssmate Marcus.
“Marcus? Long time no see!”
He smiled warmly just like before: “Oh! It’s you, Iris! Its been a while!”
“Sorry to mention… but I heard you got divorced, is it real?”
“Yeah.” I admitted it openly. After all, he attended my wedding, so he knows Jaxon too.
And being an adult, I could read between the lines about why he brought this up.
“Then… would you like to have dinner sometime?”
I thought about it. “Sure.”
Marcus was gentle–he’d remember to pull out my chair, ask what I wanted to eat, listen carefully when I spoke.
All the tenderness Jaxon couldn’t give me, Marcus had.
But my heart didn’t flutter.
“Sorry,” I said honestly, “I might need a long time before I can start a new rtionship.”
“That’s okay.”
He smiled. “I can wait. Or we could just be friends?<b>” </b>
“Okay.”
Marcus started visiting the shop regrly, sometimes helping me move flowers, sometimes chatting with Mom.
He never pushed or pressured–just quietly apanied me.
Six monthster, Jaxon came by,
He was much thinner but looked well.
“Thepany went public,” he said.
“Congrattions.”
“Market cap of five billion.”
“Very impressive<b>.</b>”
He smiled bitterly. “But I’m not happy.”
“You will be.”
House Was Cheating On Me!
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Chapter <b>11 </b>
“Iris,” he looked at me, “these six months, I’ve thought about you every day.”
“Jaxon…”
“I know we’re impossible now.” He cut me off. “I just wanted to tell you–only after losing you did I understand what’s truly
important.”
“Unfortunately, you realized it toote.”
“Yeah, I know…”
Then he pulled out a box. “This is for you.”
It was a key.
“The house we used to live in–I transferred it to your name. And I reset the system too. You’re the sole master.”
“I don’t need…”
“Please take it, as my apology.”
He turned to leave, then looked back.
“Iris, thank you.”
“For what?”
“For teaching me that life isn’t just about logic and nning–there’s also love. Even though I understood toote.”
“Sorry, Iris.”
Watching him walk away, I suddenly felt at peace.
No need to apologize. Neither of us was wrong–we were just ipatible.
A yearter, Mom’s health had recovered well.
The flower shop opened a second location. I hired staff and had more personal time.
That day, Marcus asked me to see an art exhibition.
“Today marks the one–year anniversary of my first visit to your flower shop.”
I paused. “You remember even that?”
“Of course.” He smiled. “It’s an important day for me.”
Seeing his gentle eyes, I felt a ripple in my heart.
This year, hispanionship had gradually lifted me from the shadows.
He remembered my birthday, broughtte–night snacks when I worked overtime, quietly stayed with me when I was down.
This simplepanionship was something Jaxon had never given me.
I asked him, <b>“</b><b>If </b>your work conflicted with me, what would you choose?”
Chapter <b>11 </b>
“You.” He didn’t hesitate.
“Why?”
“Because I can find another job, do other projects, but there’s only one you.”
I smiled.
“Don’t you think that’s irrational?”
“Love isn’t supposed to be rational.”
He suddenly turned serious:
“If everything had to be rational, would it still be love?”
In that moment, I suddenly understood.
What I needed wasn’t perfect nning or rational arrangements–just simplepanionship and caring.
“Marcus.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
He paused, then smiled.
“Does this mean<b>… </b>I’m officially hired?<b>” </b>
Iughed too. “Probation extended six months.”
“Deal!”
Three yearster.
Marcus and I got married.
The wedding was simple–just family and close friends.
Married life was simple and happy.
Marcus remembered every anniversary, ate breakfast with me, appeared whenever I needed him.
Our home had noplex smart systems or detailed financial ns–just simple happiness.
One day at the shop, I received a bouquet.
No signature, but I knew who sent it.
The card had just one line: [Wishing you happiness.]
Jaxon’s handwriting.
Chapter <b>11 </b>
Marcus saw it and asked, “Jaxon?<b>” </b>
“Yeah.”
“Should you respond?”
I shook my head. “No need. It’s all in the past.”
Marcus hugged me. “Thank you for choosing me.”
“I should thank YOU<b>. </b>For showing me what it feels like to be loved.”
That evening, while closing up, I saw a familiar car parked across the street.
Jaxon sat inside, watching from afar.
I didn’t walk over, just smiled slightly.
He smiled back, then drove away.
Some people are destined to be just passersby in our lives.
Thank them foring, and thank them for leaving.
Because only when they leave can we meet the right person.