I nodded and responded with a few polite compliments.
Seeing the rain gradually come to a stop, I picked up my bag and prepared to leave.
As I reached the door, Aiden suddenly grabbed my hand. "Where do you live? Let me walk you home."
"No need," I said, taking a few steps back to keep my distance from him. "I'm afraid your wife will misunderstand."
I was turning to leave when I thought I heard Aiden say something else, but the howling wind carried his voice away before I could catch it.
Unfortunately, the breakfast I was holding got soaked in the rain. What a waste.
I quickly tossed the ruined breakfast into the trash can.
At that time, the winds blew up my sleeves, revealing the scars from self-harm years ago.
I paused, then suddenly remembered.
This was the seventh year since my divorce from Aiden. It was also the third year since I had truly let him go.
There was none of the sadness I might have imagined, none of the hysteria from right after the divorce. I felt calm, as if looking at a stranger.
The rain had stopped, leaving the sky bright and clear. I pulled my sleeve back down and walked towards the bakery nearby.