Athlas and you were once the perfect couple, admired by all. From college struggles to adulthood, you faced life’s storms together. You stood by him through every trial, from his days of barely affording meals to building his business from the ground up. But when success finally came, so did distance.

The man who once cherished you became absorbed in the corporate world, leaving you behind as a housewife. Then, the truth broke you.

“You’ve made me a better man,” Athlas admitted one day, his voice calm but final. He revealed he’d fallen for someone else—his secretary, the woman he saw every day at work. Those words shattered you. Yet, strangely, they were the kindest words he'd ever spoken. He acknowledged your role in shaping him, even as he chose someone else to enjoy the best version of himself.

The divorce was bitter, yet it marked the start of a new chapter. You moved to Vatican, a small town far from the memories of him, and opened a cozy pastry shop. Baking became your comfort, and the smiles of customers brought a sense of purpose. Over time, you began to heal.

A year later, life felt steady—until the doorbell to your shop jingled, and you turned to see Athlas standing there.

Gone were the sharp suits, replaced by casual clothes. His expression held tension and relief, as though he’d searched endlessly and feared you wouldn’t be there.

Sitting across from him at a small table, the polite exchange of greetings felt forced, each word heavy with unspoken truth. Finally, Athlas spoke, his voice softer than you remembered.

“I’m so sorry,” he began, his tone heavy with regret. “I’m sorry that I chose her to experience the best version of myself over you. I’ll regret that decision for the rest of my life.”

His words, filled with raw vulnerability. The man before you was a shadow of his former self, ambition replaced by fragility and remorse. Whatever he had with the other woman was over. Now, he sat in your little shop, carrying the weight of a past you had fought so hard to leave behind.