I never actually liked white. It reminded me of hospitals, reminded me that I wasn't really a man anymore.
But Bella liked it. So for five years, I'd forced myself to swallow the discomfort and pretend I liked it too.
Now I could finally be myself.
I didn't touch the oatmeal or the pastries. I didn't put on the white suit. Instead, I pulled a black suit from the closet, changed into it, grabbed the old share transfer agreement, and walked out the door.
When I arrived at Melody's office, she looked me up and down before breaking into a smile. "You look very handsome today!"
I pulled a chair across from her and sat down. "Are you saying I wasn't handsome before?"
"You were, but today there's something different. Something..." She searched for the word.
"Like a new beginning?"
"Yes! Exactly!" Melody clapped her hands together. "Before, no matter where you showed up, you were always trailing behind Bella like some accessory hanging off her arm. But now you're just... you."
"An accessory? Is that really how you saw me?" I let out a self-deprecating laugh.
She wasn't wrong, though. Back then, Bella was the only thing in my world. I couldn't see anyone else. I couldn't even see myself.