Chapter 18

Elle

The seashell mobile hanging clinks softly, on the porch. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I clutch the phone in my trembling hand. "Goodbye, Asher," I whisper, my voice barely audible, and press the end call button.

Tears cascade down my cheeks like a waterfall as I collapse onto the bed, the weight of losing Asher threatening to crush me. The scent of his cologne still lingers on my pillowcase, and it's all I can do not to bury my face in it like some lovesick teenager. Instead, I curl up into a ball, wrapping my arms around myself as if I can hold the pieces of my shattered heart together with sheer willpower alone.

"Did I make the right decision?" I whisper to myself, my mind racing with doubt. Memories of time spent with Asher flash through my mind - our first date at Sand Dunes Bar the puck he'd signed after scoring the winning goal at a Renegades game; the crystal ball charm necklace he'd given me during one of our beach strolls.

I pause to chew on my nail, a habit I can't seem to break. Looking around, I know I have everything that belonged to him and carefully place it into a box. As I fold his clothes, a memory of us playfully tussling over them fills my mind, causing my resolve to waver momentarily. But I push the memory aside, my jaw set with determination.

I tell myself I am strong enough to move on, that I don't need him as I seal the box with tape. I take a deep breath, inhaling the calming scents of the plants I've lovingly nurtured throughout my home. The sunlight is bright through the windows, making it contrast with the cold void left by Asher's absence.

Maybe I should go stay somewhere else for a while. I’m unable to bear the weight of the memories around me any longer. Somewhere that doesn't scream 'Asher and Elle' with every breath I take. My thoughts drift to the retiree haven of Serenity Village, a place where I could find solace among the friendly faces there.

"Goodbye, my love," I whisper, taking one last look around the room before walking out the door, leaving behind the shattered remains of our relationship. As I step outside, the ocean's vast expanse stretches before me, like an infinite canvas of blues and greens. A wave of loneliness washes over me, my heart aching with regret as I stand on the precipice of a new chapter in my life.

Will I ever find what I'm searching for? It’s a question I ask myself often. I gaze at the horizon, yearning for the intimacy I've lost. The wind whispers in reply, carrying the promise of healing and the possibility of a renewed love beyond my heartache. I tighten my grip on the box, steeling myself for the ride ahead. As I walk away from my sanctuary, the sun dips below the horizon, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.