The Cherished Wife by Chweety

Sean's mouth quirked in a half-smile. "No way!" How could he not be happy? She was married then, living the dream. That was the best possible ending for them both. "As long as you're happy, that's what counts!"

Steven's eyes wandered from Sean, taking in the view outside. "Some things just aren't meant for us, no matter how much we want them. You were the one who let her go. It's time to stop holding on. I came here to let you know she's doing great, so you can get on with your life too."

Sean's laugh was sharp, edged with ice. "You're really going out of your way, aren't you?" He shrugged. "I'm not hung up on her, and I'm not about to start. If she's happy, great. If she's not... well, that's none of my business!" He exhaled slowly, releasing a tension he had not admitted to holding. "You don't need to probe, you know. If we're talking cold-hearted, I can't hold a candle to you."

Steven looked at Sean, a brief flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.

Youth has its impatience, after all. He twirled the cigarette between his fingers before finally speaking. "I haven't mentioned this to Charles. He probably doesn't want her back either."

Sean's smile was a twist of lips. "So why spill the beans to me? Our fling was nothing more than a fleeting moment. She walked away, and that was that." He inhaled sharply, a line drawn. "However, now that you've told me, I know."

Steven gave a nod. "What time are you heading over tonight?"

We'll catch the

a break then." Steven clapped Sean on the

tall and getting smaller in the distance. His

had just been looking. Outside, the tree branches were bare, their leaves scattered across the ground, dancing away with the whims of

like he was back in that

a dull gray, the yard deserted. Sean had been just a kid then, maybe

hooky and loving

of it. However, on his way back, a crying sound caught his ear, floating down from

young, filled with a kind of

day, for some reason, he found himself drawn into the yard, standing under the

the cutest kid, face streaked with tears and a runny nose. When she spotted him, she called out,