Page 14 of Evan

She takes a sip of her cocoa, her breath fogging in the cold air. "But then I look at Chad, at the life we've built together, and I remember how lucky I am. I have a beautiful son, a job I love, friends who care about me. And maybe it's not the life I always imagined for myself, but it's a good life. A life worth being grateful for."

I nod slowly, turning her words over in my mind. "But don't you ever wonder about the road not taken? About what else might be out there, waiting for you?"

Molly smiles, a little sadly. "Of course I do. Everyone does. But dwelling on what might have been... it's a waste of energy. All we can do is make the best of what we have, and trust that we're exactly where we're meant to be."

I fall silent, mulling over her words. There's a wisdom, a strength in them I can't help but admire. But there's a part of me that rebels against the idea of just accepting my lot in life. That yearns for something more, something different.

"I guess I just... I don't want to wake up one day and realize I've let my whole life pass me by," I say quietly. "I don't want to have regrets, to wonder what I might have achieved if I'd just had the courage to chase my dreams."

Molly looks at me, her eyes searching mine. "And what are your dreams, Evan? What is it you want, more than anything?"

I open my mouth to answer, but the words won't come. Because the truth is, I'm not sure anymore. For so long, my dreams have been a vague, distant thing. The idea of escape, of adventure, of a life beyond the confines of Benton Falls.

But standing here, with Molly and Chad by my side, I'm wondering if maybe my dreams have been closer than I’ve realized. If maybe the things I've been running from are the very things that could make me happy, if I just let them.

"I don't know," I admit hoarsely. "I thought I did, but now... now I'm not so sure."

Molly nods, understanding flickering in her eyes. "That's okay," she says. "You don't have to have all the answers, Evan. No one does. But don't be so afraid of making the wrong choice that you miss out on the happiness that's right in front of you."

I swallow hard, feeling a sudden, irrational surge of anger. "That's easy for you to say," I snap. "You're the one who's always so content, so at peace with your life. But some of us want more, Molly. Some of us need more."

Molly recoils as if I've slapped her, hurt flashing across her face. "You think I don't want more?" she asks, her voice trembling. "You think I don't have dreams, hopes, things I wish I could change about my life?"

She shakes her head, tears welling in her eyes. "I've made my peace with the choices I've made, Evan. But that doesn't mean they were easy. It doesn't mean I don't have regrets, that I don't wonder every single day if I'm doing the right thing, if I'm being the best mother I can be to Chad."

I stare at her, shocked by the raw pain in her voice. "Molly, I..."

But she cuts me off, her words tumbling out in a rush. "You want to know about my marriage, Evan? You want to know why I'm so dang grateful for the life I have now? Because my ex was a liar and a cheat. Because he made me feel small, and stupid, and worthless. Because he left me with a mountain of debt and a broken heart and a little boy who cries himself to sleep at night wondering why his daddy doesn't love him anymore."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut; the air rushing out of my lungs. "Molly. I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

She wipes at her eyes, taking a shuddering breath. "I don't talk about it much," she says quietly. "It's not exactly a feel-good story. But my point is, I know what it's like to have your dreams shattered. To have to pick up the pieces and start over, even when it feels impossible. And I choose to be grateful, Evan. I choose to find joy in the life I have, because the alternative is giving up. And I will never, ever give up on my son."

I reach out, wanting to take her hand, to offer some kind of comfort. But she pulls away, wrapping her arms around herself like a shield.

"I think I should go," she says softly, her voice thick with tears.

My heart clenches, panic rising in my throat. "Molly, wait. Please. I didn't mean..."

But she's already turning away, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as she disappears into the crowd.

I stand there, frozen, my mind reeling. What have I done? How could I have been so stupid, so selfish, so blind to the pain that Molly's been carrying all this time?

I think of all the moments we've shared, all the laughter and warmth and tentative hope. The way she makes me feel like I'm a part of something, like I belong.

And now, with a few thoughtless words, I may have ruined it all.

I close my eyes, fighting back the sting of tears. I don't know what to do, how to fix this. All I know is that the thought of losing Molly, of losing the one bright spot in my life, is more terrifying than anything I've ever faced.

I have to make this right. I have to show her how much she means to me, how sorry I am for making her doubt herself, doubt my feelings for her.

But as I stand there, lost and alone in the middle of the town square, the twinkling lights and joyful laughter suddenly hollow and false, I can't help but wonder if it's too late.

If I've already lost the one thing that matters most.

Eight

EVAN

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