Chapter 40

Things have been great since the ball, which was two weeks ago. Everyone has put it upon themselves to spend as much time as possible with Wilmer and me before we leave for Brazil.

I have been trying to make sure that everyone, including my family, Chance’s family, and my friends get to spend time with Wilmer.

Wilmer seems to love the attention he's getting from everyone, and it hurts me to take this away from him, but I have to believe that this is for the best.

Today is the day. I am finally leaving. We are currently at the airport waiting to check-in. I sigh deeply next to Chance. We have been sitting here for five minutes in complete silence.

I sigh loudly again and turn to look at him. I decide to break the silence that overwhelms us.

"I never imagined I would be leaving in this manner," I say with a slight smile as his eyes lock with mine. "I thought when I left the only people who would be here would be Summer, Shane, William, and Chole, but everyone is here today. Even your father," I say with a bright smile.

I was really surprised to see Mr. Colt here with Elaina. He has gotten so fond of Wilmer. He even pampers Wilmer with toys and attention, for which I am grateful.

"Yeah, he's trying to make up for his mistakes and he really loves Wilmer," he says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

I know this is difficult for Chance. He has been trying to spend as much time as possible with us and now he is watching us leave.

It is so sad to leave him, but I have to be selfish for once. This is the best way because we both need time to heal before we can ever have a healthy relationship. We started a relationship based on the wrong reasons, so we both need to go our separate ways to be able to grow on our own.

I stare at him, dreading what I am about to say. I lick my dry lips feeling anxious. I know I am about to hurt him.

"Chance, I have a request," I say softly. "I have talked to my parents about this, and they agreed. I am not asking this of you because I haven't forgiven you because believe me, I have. I just think this is for the best." He places his hand on mine.

"Shiloh, what is your request?" he asks softly with curiosity.

"Please, I don't want you to visit me in Brazil. I want you to stay away," I say as his expression becomes sad and confused.

"What? Why? I know I won't be able to see you anymore, but I was hoping to come see you at least once in a while to see how you and Wilmer are doing," he says frantically.

"I know, but we both need time to heal. I need time to create something new for myself. I need time to build myself up once again," I fret with the sleeve of my jacket avoiding his intense gaze on me.

"How much time do you need?" he asks sounding calm, but his eyes say a different story.

"I don't know, but I promise to keep you updated with Wilmer," I say, calming a few of his worries.

He sighs loudly and takes a deep breath. He intertwines our hands together and looks into my eyes.

"I know being with me is not easy, but I want you to understand that no one will ever have me except you. I understand your reasons, but please don't push me out completely," he pleads.

I look away from him. " I won't shut you out," I say, not trusting my own words.

"Thank you," he says, squeezing my hand in his lightly before standing up. He pulls me up with him. Our hands are still intertwined.

"Let’s go. It’s time to say goodbye," he says with a sad smile. I nod and we make our way towards everyone.

Everyone is chatting and Mr. Colt is holding Wilmer in his hands. I smile.

"It’s almost time to leave," I say, trying to hide the sadness in my heart.

"We know, dear. I can't believe it," Elaina says sadly. I pull her into a hug.

"I will miss you so much," I say.

"I will miss you too," she says, wiping the tears under my eyes. "Take care of yourself and Wilmer, and always keep in touch. I love you dearly."

I nod and fight back the tears. Elaina is an angel in my life. She was always there when I needed her even though we are not related by blood.

I smile and hug her once more. "I love you so much, Elaina."

She smiles wildly before kissing me on my forehead.

Next, I walk over to my mum who is standing close to Dad with tears in her eyes.

"My baby," she says, pulling me into her motherly embrace. "Take good care of yourself, okay? If any problems arise, remember you are always welcome back home. I love you."

"I love you, too," I say before looking at my dad.

He smiles sadly. "I will always be protective of you, but I know you have to do this on your own. As your mum said, if anything happens, you come right back home, okay?"

"I can, Dad. I can do this on my own," I say determined.

"I know," he whispers before kissing my hair.

Next, I stare at my little nephew clinging onto his dad's hand. "Aren’t you going to tell your Aunty Shiloh goodbye?" I ruffle his hair with a smile.

"Goodbye, Aunty Shiloh. Don't stay too long over there because I will miss you and Wilmer so much." He sniffs with tears in his eyes.

He has gotten so attached to Wilmer and he is always happy when he gets to play with Wilmer.

"I promise to return, and I also promise to call. Then you will get the chance to talk to Wilmer," I say making him grin widely.

I ruffle his hair and look at Garrett. He wishes me good luck and I thank him. Then I turn to Sylvia who is standing next to him.

I hug her tightly. "Remember what I told you on the night of the party?" she says softly. "Always keep in touch, okay?" she says, tenderly kissing my forehead.

I will miss her presence so much. "Thank you," I say with a smile.

I’m a bit awkward with Mr. Colt since we’ve never actually talked or gotten along. But he is friendly and speaks softly to me. He kisses me on the forehead and says goodbye.

Next, I say goodbye to Chole and thank her for everything. Then I say goodbye to Louis and Damien. I will miss both of them so much because they are like family to me.

I say goodbye to Summer who hugs me tightly while crying on my shoulder. I wish her luck and success when she starts her first semester in college.

Next, I say goodbye to William. Who would have imagined the stranger I met in the park would end up being one of my very good friends?

I grin wildly, wishing him all the best. Next, I embrace Shane tightly. I thank him for everything and let him know I will miss him a lot.

After that, I hug my best friend tightly as tears run down her cheeks.

"I will miss you so much. Don't forget about me," she sniffles.

"I will never forget you and you can always come visit Wilmer and me," I say, patting her back.

"Really?" she asks, wiping the tears from her cheeks with a pleasant grin.

"Really. I am sorry I won't be here for your birthday," I say apologetically, but she just shrugs saying that it’s okay. "I love you."

"I love you too," she says, hugging me tightly. "My mum sends greetings since she could not make it," she says. I promise to call once I get there.

I will miss Emma so much and I know she is feeling down since I am leaving, and Damien is leaving in a few months' time to Italy, but I know she will keep in touch and sometimes visit.

I hug her one last time before coming to Chance. Wilmer is clinging to him.

He helps me place Wilmer into the carrier and then helps me strap it over my chest and fasten the buckle around my waist.

I kiss Wilmer's hair and then look up at Chance with a sad smile.

He tenderly kisses Wilmer's hair. "Take care of Mum and be a good boy," he whispers to Wilmer.

He stares into my eyes with a glimmer of tears before he kisses me. It’s a short but tender kiss. He rests his forehead on mine and places both hands on my shoulders.

"I love you. Don't forget that," he says softly.

I close my eyes at his words and place my both hands on his cheeks.

I still love him, but I can't let him know that now because I know it will only break his heart. I can't let him know I love him, then leave him behind to hold on to my words hoping that I’ll come back.

It's hard to admit something is over. It's hard to admit that our relationship failed but my leaving is the end. It started out as a perfect relationship even though it was based on a lie. But it still feels real and worth holding onto.

My boarding gate is announced. He kisses me on my forehead, then kisses my lips one last time.

I sigh and wave goodbye to everyone. I walk in the direction of my boarding gate as my mind is in overdrive.

"Wilmer, it's you and me against the world," I say, caressing his cheek. "Daddy loves you so much."

I don't know what the future holds for us, but I am sure everything will be good.

Maybe it's not about the happy ending, Shiloh thinks. Maybe it's about the story and maybe a happy ending doesn't include a man. Maybe it's me on my own, picking up the pieces and starting over. I’m freeing myself up for something better in the future.

Maybe the happy ending is just moving on.