Marcus’s POV
The quad was bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, the long shadows of the trees stretching across the cobblestone paths. It was quiet, the kind of stillness that only seemed to exist at this time of day. I spotted Stacey sitting on the same bench where we’d had countless conversations, each one etched into my memory like chapters in a book. Her head was tilted slightly, her eyes distant as she gazed out at the empty pathways.
She looked up as I approached, her expression softening. “Hey,” she said as I sat down beside her.
“Hey,” I replied, leaning back and letting the bench creak slightly under my weight.
For a moment, neither of us said anything. The breeze rustled the leaves overhead, carrying with it the faint scent of grass and something unnameable but familiar. Finally, I broke the silence.
“You did it,” I said, nudging her shoulder lightly with mine. “They’re done.”
She nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands, which were clasped tightly in her lap. A faint smile tugged at her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It doesn’t feel as good as I thought it would,” she admitted quietly.
I studied her for a moment, her profile outlined against the fading light. “That’s because you’re not the type to revel in revenge,” I said. “You just wanted the truth out there.”
She turned to look at me, her eyes searching mine like she was trying to find something unspoken. “Thanks for helping me, Marcus,” she said, her voice steady but soft. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
I shrugged, glancing away as I picked at the edge of the bench. “You didn’t need me, Stace,” I said, my tone lighter than the weight of my words. “You’ve always been stronger than you think.”
Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile this time, and she leaned back against the bench, exhaling slowly. The silence that settled between us wasn’t the heavy kind we’d shared in the past, burdened by secrets and plans. It was comfortable, almost freeing, like we were finally letting go of the tension that had gripped us for weeks.
The sun dipped lower, casting everything in a warm, golden hue. I felt a sense of quiet satisfaction, not from the victory we’d achieved, but from knowing that Stacey could finally move forward. Maybe we both could.
“Marcus,” she said after a long pause, her voice breaking the stillness but not shattering it. “Do you ever think about what comes next? After all of this?”
I glanced at her, considering the question. “Sometimes,” I admitted. “But I’ve learned not to think too far ahead. Right now… I’m just glad we got through this.”
She nodded, her gaze returning to the quad as the first hints of twilight crept in. “Me too.”
For the first time in a long time, it felt like the weight we’d been carrying was lighter, like the past was finally where it belonged—behind us. Whatever came next, I knew we’d face it on steadier ground. Together or apart, we were finally moving forward. And that was enough.