"I’m sorry," Ivy said softly.
Kevin shook his head. "You don’t have to apologise. You never led me on. The one who refused to let go... was me."
He took a slow breath before smiling again.
"It’s hard."
"But one day..."
"I’ll move on."
There was sadness in his eyes, but also sincerity.
Ivy smiled back.
"I hope you find someone who loves you just as deeply as you love them."
"And I hope you find the happiness you deserve."
She didn’t say the words that remained in her heart.
I’m sorry for breaking yours.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ivy’s phone vibrated on the table.
She glanced at the screen, and the corners of her lips lifted into a warm smile.
"My husband is here."
Kevin noticed how naturally she said those words.
There was no hesitation.
No uncertainty.
Only quiet happiness.
He stood up from his chair.
"I’ll walk you out."
The two of them left the café together.
As they stepped outside, a familiar black car was already waiting by the curb.
Xander had just gotten out.
The moment he saw Ivy, his usually indifferent expression softened almost imperceptibly.
Without a word, he walked over to her, gently took the bag from her hand, and opened the passenger door.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"It went well," Ivy replied with a smile.
Xander nodded before placing a protective hand against her back as she got into the car.
Only after making sure she was comfortably seated did he close the door.
Kevin watched the entire interaction from a distance.
There were no grand gestures.
No dramatic declarations.
Just small, effortless acts of care.
And somehow...
That hurt the most.
He finally understood.
Ivy hadn’t merely married Xander.
She had found a place where she truly belonged.
As the car slowly disappeared into the distance, Kevin slipped his hands into his pockets and smiled to himself.
It was a sad smile.
But it was also one of acceptance.
"Maybe in another life, Ivy..."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"...I’ll love you first."
"And maybe then...you’ll be the one walking beside me."
***
The car moved steadily through the afternoon traffic.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet.
For the first time since the press conference ended, neither Ivy nor Xander spoke.
Ivy leaned back against the leather seat and closed her eyes, letting out a long, tired breath.
The tension she had been carrying all morning finally began to melt away.
She had done it.
She had stood before countless cameras and told the world the truth.
A few moments later, she felt something warm brush against her cheek.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Xander was looking at her.
The back of his fingers gently traced the side of her face, his touch careful and affectionate.
"You did well," he said softly.
A smile spread across Ivy’s lips.
She turned her head slightly and caught his hand in both of hers.
Without breaking eye contact, she lifted it and pressed a gentle kiss to his knuckles.
"You trusted me," she murmured.
"When you said we’d handle everything my way..."
She smiled warmly.
"...I knew there was no turning back."

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