ARIANA'S POV:
At night, Mykel came home exhausted, so he went to sleep early without having dinner. After I finished my dinner alone, I went to the bedroom to change. Once I was done changing, I sat on the bed, applying my night lotion.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was Percy.
Percy: Hi.
I hesitated for a moment before replying.
Me: Hi.
Percy: You aren't asleep yet?
Me: I was about to go to bed…
Percy: Oh… okay. Good night. I wanted to say something, but it's okay. You can sleep.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Something about that message felt unfinished… heavy.
Me: If you want to talk about something, I can stay awake. I'm not that sleepy or tired.
Percy: Oh? Really?
Me: Yeah.
Percy: Okay… then I'll say it.
Me: Sure.
Percy: I want to say that…
Me: ????
Percy: I'm really, really sorry.
My fingers paused above the screen.
Me: Sorry for what?
Percy: For letting you go. For letting you go so easily and not caring enough for you. I'm really sorry. I sincerely apologize for my biggest mistake.
My chest tightened slightly, but I forced myself to stay calm.
Me: It's okay. I've moved on from it.
Percy: No, it's not okay. I ruined you… and now please give me time to make it up to you. Please… I beg you.
Me: What do you mean?
Percy: I don't mean in a romantic way. I know you're married. I just mean… maybe we could make things better between us. That would give me relief… knowing that you have truly forgiven me and that we're okay now. Otherwise, I don't think I'll ever forgive myself or move on from my mistake.
I swallowed. Part of me wanted to ignore him… to protect the peace I had finally built. But another part, the softer, forgiving part, couldn't deny the sincerity in his words.
Me: But you don't have to do that. I already forgave you…
Percy: But I haven't forgiven myself yet. I still think I'm a bastard who used you and threw you away after that. I hate that version of me. Please… just let me try. I beg you.
I sighed quietly, leaning back against the headboard.
Me: Okay… okay. I'll let you. But nothing romantic, you know. Just… friends.
Percy: Yeah. Just friends…
Percy: Thank you… Ariana. You don't know how much this means to me.
Me: It's fine. Just don't overthink it.
Percy: I will try… but I'm really glad you replied tonight.
Me: You should sleep now. It's late.
Percy: Yeah… you too. Good night.
Me: Good night.
I locked my phone and placed it on the bedside table.
For a moment, I just sat there in silence, staring at the dim lamp light. My emotions felt tangled...confusion, nostalgia, guilt… but also a strange sense of closure.
I turned my head slightly and looked at Mykel sleeping peacefully beside me, his breathing slow and steady.
Without thinking, I moved closer to him, resting my head gently on his shoulder.
Whatever the past was… my present was here.
And I chose it.
And I accept it.