Chapter 21
773words
Ironically, it was only after leaving everything behind that she picked it up again. In her first month away, she visited the city she had always longed to see. She took the time to heal her body and mind.
During that time, she ran into her university senior, Jude Jones.
Unfamiliar with her surroundings and still weak from her procedure, Callista found herself relying on Jude often during that month.
But Callista had always been perceptive about matters of the heart. When she noticed the way Jude looked at her—something more than friendly—she quietly left and moved on to her next destination.
Her five years of marriage weren't entirely without merit. At the very least, she no longer had to worry about money.
However, Luther's constant public apologies that were posted online for the world to see, managed to follow her wherever she went, even if she avoided reading them herself.
As she sat down to eat, she overheard two women at the next table talking about him again.
"Mr. Spencer's putting everything online these days, even his mistakes, for everyone to criticize."
"Cheating is definitely wrong, but if you think about it, it's kind of understandable."
"His wife miscarried, and it wasn't intentional on his part. Wanting a child isn't a crime, especially with the pressure from his family. Other than that, he treated his wife really well."
"The only real problem here is that Mrs. Spencer found out. Otherwise, she probably would've continued to be happy."
"I think Mrs. Spencer forgiving him is just a matter of time. Honestly, where would she find someone who treats her better than Mr. Spencer?"
...
Callista listened silently as she finished the last bite of her meal.
When she got up to leave, she came face to face with the two women. They hesitated, looking as if they wanted to say something but didn't know how.
Callista smiled. "Don't worry. My skin and heart are pretty thick now."
With that, she paid her bill and left the restaurant. She never needed Luther to treat her perfectly.
But Luther had made promises, and she had believed them. If he couldn't keep them, she didn't want him anymore.
She had given up her child, left behind her phone, and sent him the divorce certificate.
She hadn't left any room for reconciliation, yet people always assumed she should turn back.
"Callista."
Startled, she turned her head. Just a few steps away, Jude stood there with his camera. He was tall and confident, and there was a smile in his eyes.
With a click, he captured the moment.
"You're…" Callista was too surprised to finish her sentence as Jude walked over.
"I told myself, if I ran into you again, then luck was still on my side.
"Callista, what I said when I was 22 still stands."
Jude was two years older than her.
Back when she was 20, she had been too busy juggling school, work, and dragging her wayward brother out of internet cafés and nightclubs to consider anything else.
Jude's love confession had been nothing more than a fleeting moment in her hectic life. Romance was a luxury she couldn't afford, and Jude hadn't fit into her plans.
Callista froze for a moment, unsure how to respond. Just as she opened her mouth, Jude interrupted her.
"How about a bet? Let's set the stakes first. If I win, you give me a chance to pursue you," he said.
She raised an eyebrow, feeling genuinely curious. "What's the bet?"
"We'll see each other again in another city."
Callista didn't think she'd lose this bet. Not even Luther could find her, so how could Jude?
"Deal?" he asked casually, though his voice wavered slightly at the end.
"Fine. See you then," she replied, and she stepped around him to leave.
Jude let out a long sigh, but there was a smile spreading across his face.
"See you around."
…
At that moment, the two women from earlier were reviewing the photos they had taken near the restaurant's entrance.
"The photos earlier captured Mrs. Spencer's side profile. Should we post it?"
"Why not? We were going to post it anyway."
They exchanged a look before hitting send. The photo, featuring Callista, quickly gained traction and went viral.
It wasn't long before the image reached Luther. He stared at it, overwhelmed with joy as tears filled his eyes.
After noting the photo's location, he rushed to the airport.
"Honey, wait for me," he whispered.
