Forgotten Wife My Ex-Husband Regrets It After I Left (Clara and Liam) novel Chapter 247

Sienna’s POV

We headed to the cashier laughing softly. It seemed as though there was room within me once more. Room to breathe. Room to hope. Room to progress.

We exited the café at a speed the late afternoon breeze caressing our skin. Liliana quickly indicated a quaint cake shop, across the road its retro sign gently illuminated, with the aroma of butter even before entering.

“Come on, this is heaven,” she remarked, pulling on my arm.

The moment we entered a bell hanging above the door tinkled softly. The compact space was packed with glass cases showcasing coated pastries, fluffy sponge cakes, shiny fruit tarts and cookies that appeared just baked. The ambiance was cozy and inviting delectably sweet to brighten the mood of anyone feeling stressed.

“This is my refuge, after each court hearing,” Liliana murmured, as though admitting to a secret.

I chuckled. “No surprise your cheeks are becoming a bit plumper.”

She gave me a teasing scowl. “Sienna, I’m delicate at the moment. Don’t increase my stress.”

Giggling, I stepped nearer to the showcase. Instantly my gaze fixed on my matcha mille crepe, its delicate layers appearing flawless.

“‘ll go with that one,” I said to the clerk.gaze fixed on my matcha mille crepe, its delicate layers appearing flawless.

“I’ll go with that one,” I said to the clerk.

Liliana bent closer, to the glass. “TIl have three brownies, two almond croissants and one strawberry tart.”

I looked at her in astonishment. “Liliana, are you feeling hungry? Are you starting a pop-up bakery?”

She raised an eyebrow, with a faint grin. “The tart’s meant for you. I’m sure you’ll rue it if you pass it up.”

I stood still for a moment. Liliana consistently noticed the details I never voiced. That touched me deeply.

“Oh that’s right,” she said, as if it just came back to her” I’m also bringing brownies, for Noah.”

I stared at her startled.

“What? For Noah?”

Liliana nodded as she took out her phone, perhaps reading a message or verifying something. “Yeah. Poor kid. I said I’d visit him this week but my plans totally fell apart. I feel terrible.”

I was at a loss for words. A gentle heat gradually blossomed within my chest. Noah had never told me that Liliana had agreed to meet him. Somehow realizing she had such thoughts about him brought a sense of comfort.

It felt as though the knit circle of our lives was more intricately linked than it seemed.”Liliana,” I whispered, “he’s going to be thrilled. You don’t need to make a special effort, you know.”

She. Softiy tapped the back of my hand. “Sienna, I’m not going to any trouble. Noah’s a boy. He never requests anything. That’s why I feel even more remorseful.”

I became silent. It was uncommon to witness Liliana being sincerely remorseful even about something so minor.

The clerk completed packing our purchase. Gave us two big bags. Liliana paid promptly before I had a chance to object.

“Liliana! I ought to have covered my part!” I shouted.

She gestured with her hand while moving toward the exit.

“Hold onto your cash! Think of this as repayment for my forgetting to reserve the hotel!”

I trailed her outside, chuckling in spite of myself.

The door swung open to the late-afternoon atmosphere welcoming us. A gentle wind brought the aroma of pavement and the previous night’s rainfall prompting me to inhale more deeply by reflex. Exiting a confined room, after a discussion always seemed to lighten the mood as though some of the weight lingered with the emptied glasses.

We strolled together down the pavement Liliana’s pace a bit quicker than mine, as always. The grocery bags she carried moved softly. I observed how effortlessly sheembraced that role, always ready to move, always generous even when she was worn out herself. I nearly spoke up. Held back. Not every thought had to be voiced at that moment.

“Honestly,” I remarked, shifting the bag on my shoulder,” you’re too kind, to me.”

Liliana looked over with a raised eyebrow. “If I’m not good to you then who else would be?” she nonchalantly laughed softly. “Anyway this isn’t about who’s good-It’s about friendship.”

We walked past lines of stores beginning to illuminate their showcase lights. Soft amber light bounced off the windows lengthening our silhouettes on the sidewalk. I noticed that the reflection of two adult women walking together seemed normal, to others yet to me it represented something profound, I wasn’t facing all of this by myself.

Noah came to mind more along with the slight guilt that had arisen earlier, about leaving him for a longer time today. Then I recalled the note from his caregiver indicating he was doing well giggling throughout the. afternoon. A comforting feeling spread in my chest.

Taking some time for myself didn’t cause everything to collapse.

I smiled back. “Next time, I’ll treat you. When my book launches, I’ll take you to the most expensive place I can book.”

She laughed immediately. “Wow! Just talking about your book already makes you arrogant. But fine I’ll hold you to that.”

We laughed together, a light laughter that felt like medicine after a long, heavy day.

Liliana then reached out and squeezed my shoulder briefly. “Take care of yourself. Don’t let your own dark thoughts shake you. You’re stronger than you think.”

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting her words sink in.When I opened them again, Liliana had stepped back, ready to head to her car.

“I’m heading home,” she said, waving. “If you need anything, you know I’m just one phone call away.”

“Yeah,” I replied, waving back. “Drive safely, Liliana.”

She smiled before getting into her car. As it pulled away, l stood there for a few seconds longer, feeling the afternoon slowly slip into dusk.

There were so many unfinished things in my life. So many wounds, so many fears. But there was also something new. A book I had to finish. Confidence I needed to nurture. A family I wanted to protect.

I was lucky not to be alone.

I opened my car door with a small smile.

When my book launches, I’ll treat Liliana. But more than that I want her to see that I truly made it back on my feet.

I got into the car and closed the door gently. The click sounded louder than usual in my ears, as if marking a small transition from a strengthening conversation back into my own thoughts. I carefully placed the pastry bags on the front passenger seat, then started the engine. The radio turned on automatically, playing an old song with a soft, slightly melancholic tune. I didn’t change it.

The car rolled slowly out of the parking area. The evening sky grew dimmer, gold fading into pale orange.Streetlights flickered on one by one, and the city began te wear its nighttime face. I drove unhurriedly, moving with the rhythm of red lights, intersections, and light traffic.

There was space in my head to think and strangely, it didn’t feel suffocating this time.

Liliana’s words still echoed. Don’t waver again. I repeated them in my mind, not as an order, but as a reminder. I had wavered before. Many times. jobnib.com Not because I was weak, but – because I had lived too long with the habit of yielding to circumstances, to others, to my own fears. But today felt different. Not because all the problems had disappeared Emily was still there, the past still cast its shadow but bęcause I was starting to believe that I could stand without denying that fear.

I stopped at a red light and looked at my reflection in the windshield. My face looked calmer than it had a few weeks ago. My eyes still held exhaustion, but there was something else there too: clearer resolve.