What Bloomed After Goodbye Chapter 09
Mira slipped her hand free, eyes cold-like he was nothing.
“Mr. Gorman, have some respect.”
That one “Mr. Gorman” drew the line.
Lucien stepped in, easing her behind him. His gaze stayed cool. “Touch my girlfriend again, and you
won’t leave Parisse.”
Caleb looked at them standing together, close.
His chest felt like it had been ripped open-but he couldn’t do a thing.
All he could do was watch the treasure he threw away get cherished by someone else.
Back in Arlencia, Caleb fell apart.
He stopped caring about the company. Blew money, made bad calls-until the Gorman family went broke.
The house, the cars, the business-gone. All sold to cover debt.
The golden boy lost everything overnight.
He fell from the top straight into the dirt-and learned how cold people really were.
Friends, partners-everyone vanished.
Only then did he get what Mira went through.
Didn’t mean he deserved pity.
With nowhere left, he left the big cities and settled in some small, random town. Picked up a basic sales
job.
Every day meant crammed subway rides, cheap meals, and a run-down rental. He was just trying to get
Life wore down his pride, piece by piece.
He’d wake up in the middle of the night, Mira in his dreams-her smile, then her turning away at the
wedding.
Regret swallowed him whole.
He ruined his own shot at happiness.
Pushed away the one person who loved him-and watched her end up with someone else.
***
After marrying Lucien, Mira went back to Arlencia now and then for her brand.
This trip was for the flagship store opening.
On ribbon-cutting day, the place sparkled-celebrities everywhere, cameras flashing nonstop.
Mira wore a white gown, her arm linked with Lucien’s. Calm, glowing, happy.
No one would guess that a few years ago, in this same city, she walked out of her own wedding with
nothing.
Now she was back-on top, living a life people could only watch from a distance.
After the ceremony, Mira and Lucien sat at a café in the mall.
She looked up-and saw Caleb.
He stood not far off in a faded work uniform, clutching a stack of flyers, shoulders slightly hunched as he
tried to sell to passersby.
Nothing of his old confidence was left.
The second he saw her, he froze.
The flyers slipped from his hand. He didn’t even notice.
He’d dreamed of this-seeing her again. But now, all he felt was shame.
She stood in the light-untouchable, glowing.
He was stuck in the dirt-worn down, small.
They were worlds apart.
Caleb wanted to hide, but his feet moved anyway. Step by step, he walked toward her.
“Mira…”
His voice came out hoarse, barely there.
Mira glanced at him.
No surprise. No anger. No pity. Just calm.
Like he didn’t matter.
Lucien tightened his grip on her hand, steady and quiet.
“I know I don’t have the right,” Caleb said, eyes red. “I just… I’m sorry. I was awful back then. I failed you. I’ve lost everything. The company’s gone. My family’s gone. I’ve got nothing left. I’ve paid for it. Can you forgive me…?”
