Page 9 of The Last of Love

Lena reached out, her hand brushing against Fleur’s. “I’m sorry. It sounds like you’ve had to be strong through a lot. But maybe that strength is what makes you so capable now.”

Fleur didn’t want to linger on the heavier parts of their conversation, but her curiosity about Lena remained strong. She shifted in her seat, her gaze thoughtful as she considered how to broach the subject in a way that felt natural.

“So. I can assume you don’t have a partner back in your community?” Fleur asked, her voice soft but probing.

Lena shook her head, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her wine glass. “No. Love was never really on the agenda. Not before the outbreak, not after. It felt too risky. What about you? Did you have to leave any lovers behind?”

Fleur hesitated, her gaze dropping as she took a deep breath. “I had a wife.”

Lena’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Had? What happened?”

Fleur’s expression grew somber, the pain etched into her features. “She… didn’t make it.”

Lena’s eyes softened with sympathy, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch Fleur’s arm. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”

Fleur’s gaze remained distant, the memories evidently weighing heavily on her. “It was… a long time ago, now. But it still feels like yesterday sometimes. I thought we were forever.”

Lena nodded, her own emotions swirling beneath her calm exterior. “I can only imagine how hard that must have been. Losing someone you love, especially in these times...”

Fleur let out a sigh, nostalgia and pain flickering in her eyes. “She was everything to me. My rock, my inspiration. She believed in me when no one else did. Losing her… it was like losing a part of myself.”

Lena’s fingers tightened on Fleur’s arm, offering silent support. “It sounds like she meant the world to you.”

“She did,” Fleur said softly. “And in a way, she still does. I carry her memory with me, even though it sometimes feels like a burden.”

Lena looked down, her voice reflecting her own vulnerability. “I think we all carry pieces of our past with us. It’s part of what makes us who we are.”

Fleur glanced at Lena, sensing the weight in her words. “And what about you, Lena? What’s your story? You said love wasn’t on your agenda. Did you ever want it to be?”

Lena chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I suppose I never really had the chance to explore that side of life. My focus was always on my career, on helping others. I didn’t leave much room for personal connections.”

Fleur studied Lena, her curiosity growing. “Do you ever regret that? Not having time for love?”

Lena’s expression was contemplative. “Sometimes. But I’ve made my peace with it. There are always trade-offs in life. Ichose to dedicate myself to my work, to make a difference in other ways.”

Fleur nodded, understanding the sacrifice all too well. “It sounds like you’ve found fulfillment in your own way. I respect that.”

Fleur’s gaze met Lena’s. “Thank you. It’s been hard to talk about. Sometimes it feels like it’s been an eternity, and other times it feels like a stab to the heart.”

Lena nodded, her own heart aching at the thought of the loss Fleur must have endured. “It must have been incredibly difficult. Losing someone like that… I can’t even imagine. Tell me more about her.”

“Well. She was a bit like you, actually. Pragmatic. A no-nonsense type of woman.”

“She sounds like she was great.”

“Yeah, I think you two would’ve gotten along.”

They shared a quiet moment, the weight of their conversation settling between them.

“Enough about my love life and grief,” Fleur said with a wistful smile. “I’m very curious. Shouldn’t a strong, young, successful woman have a slew of lovers?”

Lena smirked, a chuckle escaping her lips. “I had lovers here and there, but when work is your life, it’s hard to maintain relationships.”

Fleur nodded, understanding all too well. “I get that. Sometimes work can take over everything, leaving little room for personal connections. It was the same with me and my wife. The more I delved into my research, the more it pulled me away from home.”

Lena’s gaze softened, recognizing the familiarity in Fleur’s words. “It’s a double-edged sword, isn’t it? You strive to achieve greatness, to make a difference, and yet it often comes at the expense of the people you care about.”

Fleur sighed, her eyes distant. “Exactly. I wanted to make vaccines accessible to everyone. But in the process, I lost sight of what mattered most in my personal life. It’s a sacrifice I made willingly, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.”

---