The knock comes just after seven.
Thaddeus is still away on business, and you aren’t expecting anyone.
When the door opens, a bouquet of white roses appears first.
Then Cedric.
Three years older. Same hazel eyes. Same familiar smile.
And Louisa is standing beside him with one arm wrapped comfortably around his.
Cedric stares at you for a few seconds before his smile slowly widens.
“There she is.”
Louisa gives a small laugh.
“I told you she’d still be here.”
Cedric barely acknowledges her.
He steps forward and offers you the flowers like three years haven’t passed. Like divorce papers were never signed. Like he didn’t disappear because another woman convinced him their marriage needed to be tested.
“Three years exactly.”
His gaze moves over you slowly.
“God, I missed you.”
Louisa tightens her arm around his.
“You should’ve heard him counting down the last six months.”
Her smile turns sugary.
“I kept telling him not to get his hopes up. Three years is a long time for some people.”
Cedric nudges her without looking away from you.
“Enough, Lou.”
“What? I’m just saying.”
Cedric holds the roses out again.
“Come here.”
The confidence in his voice is nearly breathtaking.
Louisa watches expectantly.
Cedric waits.
Then his eyes drop.
Straight to the diamond on your left hand.
Silence.
His expression changes.
“What the hell is that?”
Louisa follows his stare.
Then laughs.
“Oh.”
She looks at you with open amusement.
“That’s a little dramatic, don’t you think?”
Cedric’s brows pull together.
“Louisa.”
“What? She knew you were coming back today.”
Louisa tilts her head.
“You don’t seriously expect us to believe you got married.”
Cedric looks at you again.
He studies your face for a beat before some of the tension leaves his shoulders.
Then he really smiles.
“Okay.”
He steps closer.
“You’re pissed.”
Louisa snorts.
“Obviously.”
“I get it.”
Cedric’s voice softens.
“I do. Three years was harder than I thought it would be too.”
His eyes drop to the ring again.
“But you made your point.”
He reaches for your hand.
“Take it off.”
Louisa smiles against his shoulder.
“I told you she’d punish you first.”
Cedric’s gaze stays fixed on you.
“I’m here now.”
His voice drops, impossibly certain.
“It’s over.”
Neither of them notices the headlights sliding across the front windows.
Or the familiar black car turning into the driveway.
Thaddeus came home early.