く
and exiled.
I heard all this from Ben.
Finally, everything was over.
Ben was packing my bags, hesitant.
“The house has been rebuilt. You can take
Paisley back, or you can stay here.”
“Do you have to go to Wisconsin?”
I smiled, picking up the bag.
“Chicago has left a lot of memories for
Paisley. It’s not a good place for her.”
He nodded sadly, taking me to the city gates.
I got out of the carriage, seeing Ethan being
led out of the city.
He was a prisoner, being taken into exile.
Seeing Paisley and me, he started to cry,
trying to run to us.
The guards held him back, dragging him
away.
He looked at Ben, dropping to his knees.
“Please, give me five minutes with Chloe and
Г
Paisley! Just five minutes, I beg you!”
Ben looked at me.
I almost turned and walked away, but he
shouted,
“Just for the divorce! Five minutes, that’s all!”
I agreed, and Ben nodded.
Ethan walked over, stopping a few feet away.
He lowered his head.
“Chloe, are you taking Paisley to Wisconsin?”
I didn’t answer, just took the divorce papers.
Paisley looked up.
“It’s none of your business! Leave Mommy
alone!”
His smile faded.
“Wisconsin’s good. Paisley will be happy
there.”
“I won’t be able to help her write anymore.
Chloe, please take care of her.”
The guard yelled.
“Hurry up! Your time’s almost up!”
L
Ethan wiped his eyes.
“I wanted to take you to Wisconsin, but…”
“It was always going to end this way.”
I took Paisley to Ben’s carriage, leaving him
behind.
Ben looked at me, asking if I was all right.
The carriage rode off, and I lifted the curtain.
“General Ben, the rioters might still be out
there. You should get back to the city.”
He looked at Paisley and me, nodding.
Then he turned back, his eyes pleading.
“Why did you save me? Do you care about me
at all?”
I smiled gently.
“I wanted to pay you back. In the end, you
and I should never have had a life together
but our first encounter should have been our
last.”
He stared at me, nodding.
“I thought… you might still care.”
“I thought… you might still care.”
“I thought you would remember our first
encounter,” I said smiling.
I didn’t answer, looking away.
“Please, get back to the city.”
I was never going to remarry.
We reached Wisconsin, and I led Paisley out
of the carriage.
She looked at the farm.
“Mommy, is this our new home?”
I smiled, leading her inside.
“Yes, honey. This is our home now.”
