Chapter 8: The Woman Who Came Too Late

Three months passed after I left Starry Group.

My life in Ricott City had settled into a rhythm I had never known before.

I worked during the day, spent evenings improving my projects, and sometimes stayed up late simply because I enjoyed what I was doing.

No one demanded that I explain where I was going.

No one questioned who I was talking to.

And most importantly, no one made me feel like I had to earn the right to be loved.

My new company quickly recognized my ability.

Within weeks, I was placed in charge of a major software project.

For the first time in years, I wasn't someone's secret boyfriend or the employee everyone assumed had gotten his position through connections.

I was simply Benjamin Campbell.

And that was enough.

Then one afternoon, my assistant hurried into my office.

"Mr. Campbell, there's someone here asking to see you."

I didn't look up from my screen.

"Who?"

She hesitated.

"Alicia Davids."

My fingers stopped moving.

For a moment, the memories I had buried came rushing back.

The apartment.

The arguments.

The nights waiting for her to come home.

And the moment I finally walked away.

I closed my laptop.

"Tell her I'm busy."

My assistant nodded and left.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on my office door.

Before I could respond, it opened.

Alicia walked in.

She looked different.

Her usual confidence was gone, replaced by exhaustion. Even her carefully styled appearance couldn't hide the dark circles beneath her eyes.

She stopped when she saw me.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

"You've changed," she finally said.

I gave a faint smile.

"So have you."

She walked closer.

"Benjamin, I came here because I wanted to apologize."

"You already apologized on the phone."

"I wasn't honest then."

I looked at her quietly.

"Then be honest now."

Alicia lowered her eyes.

"Chuck and I weren't supposed to become serious."

I said nothing.

"My parents pressured me about marriage, and he was convenient. He knew my family, understood the business world, and looked perfect beside me."

She swallowed hard.

"But after you left, I realized something."

"What?"

Her eyes reddened.

"I lost the one person who actually loved me."

I looked away.

Those words might once have shattered me.

Now they only sounded like regret arriving too late.

"Alicia, you didn't lose me because of Chuck."

She looked up.

"You lost me because you never valued me while you had me."

Her lips trembled.

"Can we start over?"

I shook my head.

"No."

She stared at me as if she had never expected that answer.

"Why?"

"Because I already started over."

The room fell silent.

Alicia wiped away a tear.

"Is there someone else?"

I paused before answering.

"Not yet."

"Then why can't it be me?"

I looked directly into her eyes.

"Because being alone is better than being someone's second choice."

She stood there for a long time.

Finally, she nodded.

"I understand."

She turned toward the door.

Before leaving, she stopped.

"I really did love you, Benjamin."

I didn't answer.

After she left, I returned to my computer.

My heart didn't race.

My hands didn't shake.

For the first time, her words couldn't pull me back into the past.

The past was only a prelude.

My real life was finally beginning.