22. Wynter

CHAPTER 22

WYNTER

The smell of pine and snow lingered in the air as I folded the last of my shirts and tucked them into the duffel bag. The cabin at Pinecrest had served its purpose—a temporary haven while I figured out my next move. Now, the next move was clear. My place wasn’t here, alone, in this cabin. It was with Taran and Rory, building a life together.

The thought made my chest warm, a slow, steady ember of contentment. I glanced around the room one last time. It had a certain charm, but it wasn’t home. Home was where Taran’s laughter filled the air and Rory’s footsteps echoed in the halls.

I was zipping up the bag when a knock at the door startled me. My pulse quickened, a mix of surprise and wariness. I wasn’t expecting anyone.

When I opened the door, Lisa stood there, bundled in a coat that barely hid the curve of her belly. She looked radiant in the way only pregnant women could, though there was a weight in her eyes that spoke of sleepless nights and too much on her mind.

“Lisa,” I said, stepping aside. “Come in.”

She hesitated, then stepped over the threshold. Her gaze swept over the cabin before landing back on me.

“I figured you’d still be here,” she said, her tone cautious.

“I’m leaving today,” I said, gesturing to the bag on the bed.

She nodded, her hands resting on her stomach. “I got the papers.”

“I assumed you would’ve by now.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The weight of the past hung between us, unspoken but palpable. Finally, she broke the silence.

“I thought a lot about what I said when you came back. I was angry, scared, and confused. But I’ve had time to think, and I know now that fighting you isn’t going to fix anything. We both deserve to move on.”

Her words surprised me. “So, what are you saying?”

She lifted her chin, her voice steady. “I’m saying I’m sorry—for everything. For the lies, the betrayal, and for not being honest with myself. I signed the papers. I’m going back to California. It’s where I need to be. I hope... I hope you find happiness, Wynter.”

A mix of relief and sadness washed over me. I had expected resistance, another argument, but this… this was unexpected.

“I want that for you too, Lisa,” I said, meaning every word. “You deserve a fresh start.”

She smiled faintly, her fingers brushing her belly. “I think Aspen Ridge has too many memories. I need space to focus on the baby. To figure out what’s next. We can sell the house. You can have the proceeds. I don’t need the money. Never did. What I needed was a wake-up call—which I’ve gotten. I’ll be all right; don’t worry about me.”

I stepped closer, placing a hand on her arm. “You’re strong. You’ll do great.”

“No, I’m not,” she whispered. “You’re all that and more. So stupid of me not to realize it until I lost you. But I have this baby now, and I’m going to do the right thing for him.”

I stepped back, my hand still resting on her arm. “Taran and I… we’re in love. He’s the love of my life.”

Her eyes widened briefly before settling into something softer, something understanding. “I didn’t see that coming,” she admitted. “I always thought it was you and me against the world. I didn’t know you were…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “But now, thinking about it, it makes sense. The way you two have always been there for each other, even when we were married. Maybe you and Taran were meant to be all along. Soulmates, I guess. And maybe Royce and I… we were just part of your journey to each other.”

She touched my arm lightly, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “You’ve been amazing, Wynter. I wish you all the best. Taran is a lovely man, and I know you’ll both be happy. I can see it already.”

Her words hit me square in the chest. It wasn’t bitter, just matter-of-fact. Her acknowledgment felt like the final piece of closure I didn’t know I needed.

“I’m sorry for how it all turned out,” I said.

She shook her head, smiling softly. “We both tried our best, but sometimes, things fall apart for a reason.”

We hugged one last time, and when she pulled away, her smile was brighter, lighter. “Goodbye, Wynter.”

“Goodbye, Lisa.”

I watched her leave, the sound of her car crunching over the snow outside the only noise in the stillness. It felt like a weight had been lifted.

I closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment. The chapter of my life with Lisa was over, and for the first time, it didn’t feel like a loss. It felt like freedom.

My phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with Taran’s name. A grin tugged at my lips as I picked it up.

“Hey, Taran! Guess what news I have?”