Page 112 of Unfaithful

I had been so sure that forgiveness was impossible. His betrayal had cut too deep, leaving wounds I wasn't sure would ever fully heal.

That was what kept me holding back, never letting him in again.

But the real question I should have been asking myself was—did I still love him?

And the answer was, I did. I still loved him.

But not the way I once did. Not as deeply, not as fiercely.

I wasn't sure if it was his betrayal that had dulled that love... or if it was because someone else had already taken his place in my heart.

In an instant, it all came rushing back—the moment Archie stepped into my life, the way he quietly became my anchor. He had been there when I was at my lowest, offering me strength when I had none left to give.

Since the night we went to that club, I had sensed that my feelings for him ran deeper than friendship. I knew my heart was drawn to him, but I was too afraid to admit it. The pain I carried still consumed me, leaving me unsure of myself, uncertain of what I truly felt.

But the feelings had always been there, lingering beneath the surface.

And now, with startling clarity, I finally understood. I had fallen in love with him.

With Archie.

Oh, my God, I love him.

Archie was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

I didn't choose Archie because he was a better man than Cole. And I didn't let go of Cole solely because of his betrayal.

It wasn't about that anymore.

For so long, I held on to the memory of the love I once had for Cole, convincing myself that it still meant something, that it still held weight. But now, as I sat here, I finally understood, what I had been holding on to was just a memory.

I chose Archie because, over time, I truly fell in love with him.

He was the calm after the storm, the steady presence that quieted my heart and mind with just a word, a touch, a single glance. And as I searched my memories, trying to recall if I had ever felt that way with Cole. I couldn't.

Archie was my home. He was love. He was now my one.

And I let him go.

I let Archie go.

"What are you thinking, Sara?" Cole's voice seeped into my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. I glanced at him, realizing, with a strange sense of peace, that he was now my past. There were wonderful memories of him, just as there were painful ones, and they would always be a part of me.

But I was ready to embrace the future.

"Cole," I said softly, looking at him with a mix of sadness and resolve. "I think it's time we let go."

His face drained of color instantly as he stared at me, the realization hitting him in an instant. Even though my words seemed to come out of nowhere, he understood exactly what I meant. His mouth parted slightly, but no words followed.

I offered him a soft, bittersweet smile. "I'm telling you this because I don't want you to keep holding on to a hope that no longer exists. You and I... we're each other's past. It's time we both moved on with our lives. I'm sorry. I know you've tried so hard to prove yourself. And I see that you never give up. But..." I hesitated, searching for the right words, for a way to soften the blow. "Some things just can't be undone. Some things change us forever."

"Sara," he swallowed hard, his voice thick with emotion. "Please. I love you. I can't..." He shook his head, struggling to find the right words, his breath shallow. "I can't lose you. Not like this. I've made so many mistakes, I know that. But I'm still here, still fighting for us." His voice trembled as he moved closer, eyes desperate. "Please, don't walk away. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

I gently took his hand, squeezing it softly, the reality of the situation settling in. It's really over for us. "You've changed, and I've changed too. We're not the same people anymore, Cole. We've both grown, and we've become better in our own ways, but we're heading in different directions now. And as much as I care about you, I can't pretend that we can go back to what we had."

He took a deep, shaky breath, pulling his hand from mine and burying his face in his hands. His elbows rested on his knees as my words seemed to settle in.

When he lowered his hands, his eyes were red-rimmed, filled with unshed tears. "I'm sorry, Sara. I'm so sorry for ruining what we had. But I understand what you're saying—that we're not the same people anymore." He gave me a faint, sorrowful smile. "We've changed a lot, haven't we?"

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