Souls Remember What Matters — Corey Gibson 26
Chapter 26 – A Few More Days
SERA
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“Why?” I asked quietly. “After everything you’ve put me through, after the humiliation and the pain and the way you’ve made me feel invisible in my own family, why are you fighting this? Why won’t you just let me go?” I hated how my voice shook, how obvious it was that I was holding back tears.
He was quiet for a long moment, just looking at me with those intense green eyes that had once made my heart race. Now they just made me tired.
“Because I care about you,” he said finally. “I care about you more than I’ve ever cared about anyone except Luna. I care about our marriage, about our family, about the life we’ve built together.”
He was quiet for a moment, like he was gathering courage for what he was about to say.
“I meant what I said about New York,” he said finally. “I want to move there. With you and Luna,” He admitted with an honesty I hadn’t heard from him in a long time.
I let out a slow breath, studying his face. “You’re serious.”
“Completely serious. I’ve been thinking about it all day, and it makes sense. You’re happy there, you have work you care about, friends who support you. Luna could start elementary school there, make new friends, have new adventures,” He took my hand in his, “We can live together like we used to.”
The picture he was painting started to take shape in my mind despite my resistance. Luna in a New York elementary school, maybe one of those progressive ones with art programs and music classes. Weekend trips to museums and Broadway shows. A life that was ours, not shadowed by his family’s expectations or Vivienne’s
presence.
“I could open a branch office there,” Darius continued, his voice getting stronger as he spoke. “Like I said, I can handle our East Coast operations directly instead of managing them from here. It would actually be good for business.”
He reached for my face, cupping my chin in his palm and I let him, I leaned into the warmth of his touch, unable to help myself.
“You’d really do that?” I asked. “Give up everything here just so we can live together?”
“For our family? Yes. Without hesitation.”
The words hit me harder than I expected. This was the first time in our entire marriage that Darius was willing to change his plans for me. The first time he was putting what I needed ahead of what was convenient or expected.
“What about Luna’s school here? Her friends?”
“She’s four, Sera. She’ll adapt faster than we will. And she’ll still see her grandmother during holidays and
summers.”
It sounded perfect. Too perfect.
“And what about Vivienne?” I asked quietly.
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Chapter 20 A Few More Days
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The light in his eyes dimmed slightly, and his hands dropped from my face.
“What about her?” He asked back and my felt that familiar ache in my chest when I saw the changed look in his
eyes.
“Don’t play dumb, Darius. If we move to New York, what happens with your dying ex–girlfriend who needs you so desperately?” I didn’t mean for the words to come out as harshly as they did but, I didn’t regret it either.
He was quiet for a long moment, and I could see him choosing his words carefully.
“That’s between her and me,” he said finally. “I’ll help her as a friend, make sure she has the support she needs for her treatment. But I’ll also take care of my family. I’ll find a balance between the two.”
“A balance…” The word tasted bitter in my mouth. We would never be his only choice, I can never be his only
choice because of Vivienne.
“It will be different in New York. We’ll be starting fresh, building something new together. And I’ll be more careful about boundaries, about making sure you know that you and Luna come first.”
I wanted to believe him. God, how much I wanted to believe him. But the rational part of my mind was screaming warnings.
“How do I know you won’t just find excuses to fly back here every time she calls? How do I know this isn’t just another way for you to have both of us?”
“Because I’m telling you it isn’t.” His voice was steady, sure. “Because I care too much about our marriage to let it fall apart due to my foolishness, Sera,” He sighed, “I need you to know that.”
I studied his face, looking for lies, for the tell–tale signs that he was just saying what I wanted to hear. But all I saw was exhaustion and something that looked like genuine hope.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” I whispered.
“Then let me earn it back. Let me show you that our family comes first. That you come first.”
The words hung between us, fragile and precious. Part of me wanted to grab onto them, to let myself hope that maybe we could find our way back to each other. But another part of me, the part that had been hurt too many times, wanted to run before I could be disappointed again.
“I need to think,” I said finally.
“Of course. Take all the time you need.”
“I was supposed to fly back to New York tomorrow morning.”
“Stay,” he said quietly. “Just for a few more days. Let’s try to work this out.”
I looked at him standing there in our living room, his hair messy and his eyes pleading, and felt something shift in my chest. Maybe it was hope, or maybe it was just exhaustion from fighting for so long.
“I need to make a phone call,” I said.
Relief flooded his features. “Johnson?”
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Chapter 26 A Few More Days
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I nodded and pulled out my phone. Johnson answered on the second ring.
“Sera? How did it go? Do you need me to pick you up from the airport tomorrow?”
“Actually,” I said, glancing at Darius, “I’m going to stay a few more days. We’re… we’re going to try to work some things out.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I don’t know. But I think I have to try.‘
There was a pause, and I could practically hear Johnson weighing his words.
“Well, if you’re staying longer, I have some news that might interest you. A fairly well–known pianist reached out about potentially collaborating with you. Someone who heard your work at the charity auction and was impressed.”
My heart skipped. “Really?”
“Really. I can set up an introduction when you get back, if you’re interested.”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “Yes, I’m very interested.”
“Good. Take care of yourself, Sera. And call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Thank you, Johnson.”
I hung up and looked at Darius, who was watching me with cautious hope.
“Good news?” he asked.
“Maybe…” I cleared my throat, “For my boss, that is…” I quipped. I’d almost let it slip that I had a potential collaboration.
I couldn’t let him know just yet, not when I’m still so uncertain.
“That’s wonderful,” He replied, the look in his eyes so intense that my cheeks felt warm and I had to look away.
“So,” I said. “A few more days.”
“A few more days,” he agreed.
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