Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

A gentle breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of the night’s chill. The man’s scent enveloped her, surrounded her, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Chloe Reed’s breathing grew ragged, which the perceptive Walker Grant noticed. He leaned in closer, his voice low and tinged with a coaxing tone. ”Let me give you a kiss, okay?”

His voice seemed to hold a magical quality. As Chloe Reed listened, her resolve softened.

She looked at him. His eyes were clearly wrapped in white gauze, yet she could feel him ”watching” her.

For some reason, a tremor ran through her heart.

He didn’t wait for her response, nor did he press closer. He just kept asking.

”How about it?”

”May I?”

”Just one, hmm?”

His words, carried on the evening breeze, all found their way into her ears.

Chloe Reed felt a rush of turmoil, and her fingers curled slightly.

But this seemed to be the signal. He understood at once and leaned in, his lips covering hers.

Both their lips were cool from the night air, but it wasn’t unpleasant. A moment after they touched, a current of warmth spread between them.

His kiss was exceptionally gentle.

As if he were holding his most precious treasure, he traced her lips meticulously, treating them with serious care.

Chloe Reed’s eyelashes fluttered violently, but what followed was a sour ache deep in her heart.

She didn’t know if it was the wind getting in her eyes, but she desperately wanted to cry.

This feeling of being wronged came on with a ferocious rush, like a tsunami, suddenly washing away her reason.

As Walker Grant kissed her, it wasn’t long before he tasted salt.

He froze, then immediately pulled away and sat beside her, at a complete loss.

”I’m sorry, Chloe. I won’t do it again. Please don’t cry.”

He reached out, wanting to touch her face and wipe away her tears.

But he was afraid that in his haste, he would touch the wrong spot and hurt her.

And so, his hand froze in mid-air.

Chloe Reed sniffled. Seeing him sitting beside her, looking lonely and sad, her heart felt as if it were being pierced by countless needles, a fine-grained pain spreading through her.

She suddenly reached out, cupped his face, and kissed him.

His body stiffened for a few seconds, then he grasped her shoulders and pushed her away. ”Chloe, you don’t have to force yourself...”

But Chloe Reed kissed him again.

Her presence was absolutely intoxicating to him.

Once he got a taste of it, he would find it impossible to stop.

He, in turn, wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss, yet his touch remained gentle, as if he were handling something precious.

Amid the kiss, he could still taste her tears.

Walker Grant’s heart ached.

’She’s so upset, so why is she continuing?’

’Or could it be that the kiss itself isn’t what’s making her sad?’

’She’s thinking about the past again, isn’t she?’

In that instant, Walker Grant’s heart felt like it was being twisted by a knife.

He broke the kiss and pulled her into his embrace. His voice was deep and hoarse, tinged with a pained difficulty as he said, ”I’m sorry. I made you remember unhappy things.”

Leaning in his arms, the blurry image before Chloe Reed’s eyes slowly came into focus.

That emotional dam had burst, making her think of how in love they used to be. He had kissed and embraced her countless times, always with a sense of cherish, and he would prepare surprise gifts for her on every holiday.

What made her sad was that all of that was in the past.

Their past... it was so beautiful.

Chloe Reed closed her eyes. She felt heartache and sorrow rushing toward her all at once, and it was becoming too much to bear.

She wanted to escape.

It was as if any contact with Walker Grant would flip a switch for her negative emotions; she would remember the sweet times, but she would also remember the sad.