The Last Goodbye

PART 3 — THE MAN WHO ARRIVED TOO LATE

Two weeks later, Vincent finally found Claire.

Marcus had located the rental property through an old business contact. But when he gave Vincent the address, he also offered a warning.

“Boss, please think carefully before going there. She left because she was unhappy. Showing up with an army of men won’t change that.”

Vincent ignored him.

He flew to the coastal town alone.

When he arrived, he saw Claire walking out of a small grocery store, carrying a paper bag filled with fresh flowers and vegetables.

She looked different.

Her hair was tied loosely behind her shoulders. She wore a simple cream-colored dress and sandals.

But what struck him most was her smile.

She looked peaceful.

Something he hadn’t seen on her face in years.

“Claire.”

She stopped.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then she slowly turned around.

“Vincent?”

He walked toward her, his eyes fixed on her face.

“Finally,” he whispered. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Claire adjusted the grocery bag in her arms.

“Why?”

He looked stunned.

“What do you mean, why? You’re my wife.”

She gave him a tired smile.

“Not anymore, Vincent.”

He swallowed.

“I know I made mistakes.”

“Mistakes?”

“I know I hurt you. I know I wasn’t the husband you deserved.”

Claire looked directly into his eyes.

“You didn’t make one mistake, Vincent. You made hundreds of choices. Every hotel room, every woman, every lie. You chose them repeatedly.”

He lowered his head.

“I ended everything. There won’t be anyone else.”

“That’s good.”

“Claire, please. Give me another chance.”

She was quiet for a moment.

Then she asked, “Do you remember my thirty-second birthday?”

Vincent frowned.

“Of course.”

“No, you don’t. You were in Miami with another woman. I spent that evening alone, eating dinner in this very dress.”

He looked at her dress.

“I remember now.”

“Do you remember the night my mother was hospitalized? I called you seventeen times. You never answered because you were with your girlfriend.”

Vincent’s face tightened.

“Claire, I—”

“And do you remember our anniversary last year? You sent me flowers with someone else’s name still written on the card.”

He couldn’t answer.

Claire took a slow breath.

“I don’t need you to explain anymore. I spent seven years making excuses for you. I’m finished.”

Vincent reached for her hand, but she stepped back.

“I love you,” he said, his voice breaking.

She looked at him for a long moment.

“Maybe you do, Vincent. But you loved having me more than you loved treating me right.”

His eyes became wet.

“Please don’t leave me like this.”

Claire shook her head gently.

“You left me long before I walked away.”

Then she turned and continued toward her little house.

Vincent remained standing on the pavement, watching the woman he had once promised to protect disappear behind the garden gate.

For once, his money couldn’t buy another chance.

And his power couldn’t force someone to love him.