Chapter 5
On the third day back in my hometown, I stood under the old oak tree at the village entrance holding my baby, looking at the distant mountains. For the first time, I felt truly at peace.
Grandma’s old house was run down, but with some cleaning it was livable. I put the baby in a wicker basket and started clearing the dust covered furniture.
When Aunt Martha from the village walked by, she peeked into the basket.
“Elena, honey, what’s going on here…”
“Got divorced.” I wiped the sweat from my forehead, surprised by how calm I sounded.
Aunt Martha opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but finally just sighed.
“If you need anything, just ask. Nobody in this village is gonna let you and the baby struggle.”
I nodded, feeling warmth spread through my chest. Nobody here would ask why I got divorced, nobody would look at me with pity or judgment, and nobody would tell me women should just grit their teeth and bear it.
On the fifth evening, I was hanging diapers in the yard when I suddenly heard urgent footsteps.
Gabriel appeared at the gate, his hair a mess and his eyes bloodshot like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Elena!” He pushed through the gate and rushed in.
–
“How could you just disappear like that? The baby’s so young – have you thought about what this means?”
I didn’t turn around, just kept hanging the diaper in my hands. “What this means? Like what?”
“What can a woman do on her own with a baby?” His voice was panicked “Come back home. Let’s talk this through. We can work everything
out.”
I turned to face him, my voice as calm as if I was talking about the weather.
“There’s nothing to work out. Sign the papers and we’ll make it official.”
Gabriel’s face went white as a sheet.
“You’re serious about this?”
“More serious than you ever were about Vera.” I picked up my baby from his basket as he started to wake up.
“You need to leave. You’re not welcome here.”
Gabriel rushed over trying to hold the baby, but I stepped back. “Don’t touch him.”
“That’s MY son!” Gabriel’s voice cracked, “You can’t stop me from seeing him!”
“Your son?” I laughed bitterly. “Trom pregnancy to birth, when did you ever treat him like your son? Did you hold him once in the hospital? Did you even give him a name?”
Gabriel opened his mouth but couldn’t get any words out.
Old Pete from the village heard the commotion and walked over, frowning when he saw Gabriel “Who are you? What’s your business in our village?”
“I’m Elena’s husband.” Gabriel rushed to explain.
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Chapter 5
“Husband?” Pete looked him up and down.
“Elena said she got divorced. So what husband? You here to start trouble? Cause we don’t put up with that kind of nonsense around here
A few more neighbors gradually gathered around, all looking at Gabriel suspiciously
Gabriel realized he was in a bad spot and softened his tone.
“Elena, I know I messed up. I really know I was wrong. Come back with me. I swear I’ll never let you down again.”
Looking at the panic in his eyes, I felt absolutely nothing.
This man I’d once been willing to sacrifice everything for was now just a stranger putting on a fake show to save face.
“Gabriel, you know what?” I gently rubbed my baby’s back. “I used to think if I just tried hard enough, if I just held on long enough, someday 16 earn your love.”
“Now I finally get it. Your heart was never with me. All my effort was just a one–woman show.”
The sun was setting, casting orange light across the yard and stretching our shadows long across the ground.
Gabriel just stood there, opening his mouth but unable to say anything.
He finally understood that once some things are lost, they can never be found again.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.