I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 264

They fell into a simple back-and-forth rhythm on the way back. Though Sarah was still a woman of few words, the conversation never felt awkward or forced.

The autumn sun had lost its scorching bite, leaving a warm, gentle glow in its wake.

Harold cast a sideways glance at Sarah every now and then, thinking that simply strolling like this, chatting, and heading to the same destination together was wonderful in its own right.

Last year, spurred on by George, he had confessed his feelings prematurely, only to be rejected.

At the time, Sarah had said she was used to living alone and had no desire to change her ways for anyone.

Harold had desperately wanted to tell her, "I'm here to become a part of your life, not to change it."

But in the end, he had swallowed the words. Instead, he had simply said, "I respect your choice and your lifestyle."

Over the past year, he had made a conscious effort to minimize his footprint on her life whenever he visited. When Sophie wasn't around, he tried his best not to go upstairs and disturb her.

He walked Sarah and Ethan upstairs, and the moment the nanny opened the door, she beamed. "Mr. Harper, Sophie specifically mentioned this morning that it's your birthday. She asked me to prepare two extra dishes. She even planned the menu herself."

Harold looked at Sarah, waiting for her to chime in.

"Just stay here for lunch. Sophie finalized the menu last night," Sarah said as she swapped her shoes for slippers.

The nanny, incredibly perceptive, pulled out a pair of men's slippers and placed them right by Harold's feet.

When the nanny brought the food to the table, every dish was one of his favorites. There was even a plate of Smoked Hickory Brisket, a meal he had absolutely adored in his youth. During his college years in Boston, he constantly craved it. Whenever he came home, he would take Sarah to the little diner next to the factory, and he ordered it without fail.

That evening, the moment Sophie got into the car, she called Harold.

"Gavin and I are on our way. We'll be back soon. Did you have a good day?"

"Lunch was delicious. Thank you for setting it up. Your mother told you about the brisket, didn't she?"

"Yeah, she said it used to be your absolute favorite."

A wave of indescribable emotion washed over Harold. He wasn't the only one holding on to the past; Sarah remembered it just as clearly.

"Drive safe, there's no rush. Safety first."

After saying goodbye to Sophie, Harold hung up the phone just as Ethan started clamoring, "Push me higher!"

Harold stood behind the porch swing, giving it gentle pushes.

When the nanny brought the large bowl to the table, Sophie mouthed to Harold, "My mom made it from scratch."

Amusement danced in Harold's eyes. Sophie didn't need to tell him. The moment his fork pierced the hearty Birthday Beef Stew, he knew it was Sarah's handiwork.

After Harold accepted his birthday gifts from Gavin and Sophie, Sarah finally spoke. "I didn't get you a present, so consider this bowl of Birthday Beef Stew my birthday blessing to you."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," Harold said, raising his glass in her direction.

That afternoon, he and Sarah had taken Ethan to the amusement park. When they got back and Ethan wanted to play on the swing, Sarah had claimed she was tired and went upstairs to rest.

He genuinely thought she was exhausted. He never imagined she had gone up to prepare the stew for him.

He had spent the entire day biting his tongue, too afraid to mention the tradition for fear of annoying her.

The meal was a complete surprise, yet somehow, exactly what he needed.

In the past, he had thought far too highly of himself. Back before the divorce, he would never have had the nerve to demand she cook him a birthday meal.

Now, by making no demands, harboring no wild expectations, quietly doing his part, and keeping a comfortable distance, he could finally feel the thick ice around Sarah's heart beginning to thaw.