Chapter 67 - The Decision That Belonged To Leo
A year later, Leo received another offer.
This one was bigger.
He could become the youngest partner in his firm.
But there was a condition.
He would have to move again.
London.
He called me.
“I think I know what you're going to say.”
“Do you?”
“You'll tell me to choose for myself.”
I smiled.
“Then you already know.”
“But this time I'm scared.”
“Why?”
“Because if I take it, I'll be even farther away.”
I paused.
“From me?”
“Yes.”
I looked at the photograph on my desk.
“You're allowed to build a life that doesn't orbit around your mother.”
He laughed.
“I know.”
“You're allowed to fall in love somewhere else.”
“Mom.”
“You're allowed to have a family.”
“Mom.”
“You're allowed to become so busy you forget to call me.”
“I would never.”
I smiled.
“Then go.”
He was quiet.
“I've spent years worrying that leaving meant abandoning people.”
“And now?”
“Now I think leaving can mean growing.”
I nodded.
“That is exactly what it can mean.”
He accepted the position.
Before he left, he gave me the old watch that had once belonged to Julian.
“I don't want to keep everything in boxes anymore.”
I looked at it.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why give it to me?”
“Because you taught me that time matters.”
I held the watch in my palm.
For a moment, I remembered the little boy from the ballroom.
Then I remembered the man standing in front of me.
He wasn't that boy anymore.
May you like
And I didn't need him to be.
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