Their reunion was bittersweet, filled with the memories of a love paused but never erased.Lucy and John caught up, sharing stories of their lives, children, and losses.

There was tenderness between them, but also respect for the lives they had lived apart. When Lucy touched his hand and asked if he still had feelings for her, John admitted maybe a little, but said mostly he was just glad she was well.Days later, Arthur surprised John by inviting him to a family barbecue and introducing Grace, a kind woman Lucy hoped John would meet. Grace was warm,

funny, and thoughtful—someone who understood the depth of love and loss. Over the following months, John and Grace’s friendship blossomed into a quiet, steady romance.A few months later, on a trip to the ocean with Lucy, Arthur, and Grace, John realized that Lucy wasn’t