“You need to think about how to start over. You’re not a little girl anymore.” With that, Evelyn finally left the room.

Jonathan showed up at Luviston Estates by himself. He hadn’t been back in ages. The security guard at the gate was new and didn’t recognize him, only letting him in after he proved he was an owner.

Coming back here alone, the flood of memories nearly drowned Jonathan. He pushed open the bedroom door, took a long breath, and slumped onto that all-too-familiar bed. He closed his eyes, hand covering his forehead.

Fiona had once said to Jonathan that maybe he and Teresa just weren’t meant to walk the same road anymore. They were adults now, and it was time to call it quits.

But Jonathan never told Fiona—he was still hopelessly in love with Teresa. All these years, she was the only one he ever loved.

They’d shared countless beautiful moments. Those two years were the happiest of his life—watching sunsets and stars, exploring mountains and lakes, holding her hand as they traveled.

The first light of dawn, the glow of dusk—he always wanted her to be the first to see it with him. Even in the roughest times, through every storm and hardship, his heart was always hers. She was his everything.

Looking back, Jonathan understood that Teresa had never told him she loved him, not in any real sense. The only time she’d come close was in bed, murmuring the words against his shoulder, and he had never let himself believe they counted.

Teresa had left him for Nareigh more than once, yet he had never thought of giving up—only of finding her and bringing her back.

But this time, he was setting her free, letting her drift back into the vast sea of people, and he left all those beautiful memories behind in this house.

Jonathan was really leaving Nareigh for a long, long time.

Now that Jennifer was in prison, Yalena was in detention, and Eason had been quiet lately, Jonathan figured that once he left, Eason would probably stay quiet too.

Benny came to the airport to see Jonathan off.

“Just some business to take care of,” Jonathan said.

Benny shot him a look and said, “Seriously? You expect me to believe that?”

Jonathan didn’t answer right away. He just said, “It might take a while.”

Benny hesitated, then said, “First you send your mom off, now you’re leaving too. Don’t tell me you two are moving overseas for good or something?”

“I’ve still got two kids here. How could I just leave and never come back? I’m not even thinking about moving overseas right now,” Jonathan replied.

Benny asked, “So, are you really letting Teresa go?”

Jonathan stayed silent. After everything that had happened lately, he was nursing a quiet anger.

Before Fiona headed back to take care of the kids in the remote areas that day, she said gently, “Jonathan, I know you’ve weathered a lot of storms and you’ve got a strong heart. When it comes to feelings, just let things take their course.

“Honestly, I really like Teresa—she’s a kind girl with her own principles. I get the feeling she’s just sulking, and honestly, you’re the same way. If there’s something on your mind, you two should just talk it out.”

Jonathan snapped out of his thoughts and checked the time.

Benny let out a sigh and said, “I know what you are waiting for. I told Teresa your flight number. She asked me for it herself.”

Jonathan’s eyes flickered with a hint of hope. He asked, “So, what did she say?”

“She just asked where you were going. I told her you were heading to Archulea. Didn’t she give you a call?” Benny asked.

Jonathan pressed his lips together and looked at the empty screen of his phone. “There’s no way she’d call me,” he muttered.

“Well, maybe she’ll come find you. It’s a nice day today, not too cold. She might actually show up,” Benny said.

Jonathan replied, “No way.” He thought, ‘If Teresa really shows up today, I’ll write my name backwards.’

Suddenly, a phone rang. Jonathan’s head snapped up, only to realize it was Benny’s phone, not his.