Page 122 of Your Biggest Downfall
I turned to face him, and for the last time, I let him hold me.
“I’ve lost everything because of my choices,” he murmured, his voice thick with regret. “I’m sorry you had to be the anchor dragged down with my consequences.”
I pressed my cheek to his chest, feeling his heartbeat, and wrapped my arms around his waist. We stood there, holding each other, knowing this was our final moment as husband and wife.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “I hope you get better, Austin Hart.”
His grip tightened briefly before he let out a shaky breath. “You be good, Nova. You’ll soar wherever you decide to fly.”
We held on for a moment longer, and then, with a quiet sadness, we let each other go.
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“I’m going to miss you so much, sweet girl,” Aunt Mae murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
We stood outside the airport, the crisp Chicago fall air swirling around us. The sun was bright, the breeze light—one of those perfect days that felt right for leaving, for starting over.
“Be good,” she whispered.
“I will,” I said, smiling through the ache in my chest. “You better visit for the holidays. I’ve already booked your ticket.”
She smiled, pulling me in for another hug. “You’ve always been like a daughter to me. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“Ugh, stop,” Luna interjected, wiping at her eyes. “You two are going to make me cry.”
I smiled and reached out. “Come on, Luna girl. Get over here and join us.”
The three of us stood there, clinging to each other, holding on to the memories, the love, the moments that had made us who we were. We stayed like that for what felt like a long time, until a security guard came over, reminding Aunt Mae she was parked in a drop-off lane.
And just like that, it was time to let go.
We grabbed our suitcases and headed inside the airport. Once we’d checked in, Luna’s company treated us to one of the fancy lounges.
“You think they have our flat all set up already?” she asked as we each grabbed a mimosa and sat by the window, watching the planes take off.
“I was told they’d give us the bare bones but that we’d have to do most of it.”
Luna shrugged and tugged down her matching sweatsuit. “I can’t believe you finally have your own room,” she said, and I laughed.
I looked out and reached for Luna’s hands. “Thanks for dropping everything and being here for me.”
“I got nothing but you tying me to Chicago.”
I was going to tell her how much I appreciated her again when my phone started dinging.
Iris: Did you check socials?
“Who is it?” Luna asked.
“Iris. She’s telling me to check social media. Can you pull up the hockey news?”
Luna pulled out her phone while I navigated to the social media app, and the moment I saw it, my chest tightened. There, on the screen, was a press conference with Austin standing alone at the podium.
He looked as worn down as the last time I saw him. Dark circles stood out beneath his eyes, and his posture was slumped. He looked completely exhausted.
“Are you seeing it?” Luna asked.
