Ariana shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I’ve always wondered about his appearance.”

Taking a breath, she confessed, “A part of me has never accepted that Theodore is truly gone. Their voices, Holden’s and Theodore’s, are uncannily similar. Sometimes I wonder… could this all be some elaborate ruse by Theodore?”

Ariana’s voice quivered, “Sometimes, these thoughts seem so irrational, yet the idea gnaws at me. If this is some cruel jest of Theodore’s, I’m not sure if forgiveness is within me. But the longing for him to be alive is so intense. And if Holden were truly Theodore, what path should I tread? He has a family now. Do I yearn for a Holden who’s alive but distant, or a Theodore who’s gone but cherished me?”

Mitchel, lost in Ariana’s torrent of emotions, took a moment to process. He never envisioned their lives entwining like this.

Drawing a deep breath, he began, “Theodore’s chapter in your life has closed.

He’s a memory now. Why would Theodore, if he were Holden, not reach out? Why a different life, a different family? Can you truly build a life with someone who’s juggled your heart like this? You’ve got to see it clearly,

Ariana. Theodore is a memory; Holden is reality. And they’re different people. You can’t let the past tether you forever. There’s a whole future ahead.”

Ariana’s gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders shaking as tears streamed down. Taking a moment, she said, “I get it. I really do. But letting go of him isn’t easy for me.”

She was caught in a torrent of emotions. Recognizing Holden for who he was and not seeing Theodore in him was a daily struggle. Aware of Holden’s upcoming wedding, she chided herself for not distancing from him sooner.

if Theodore still had a place in the world. Every

in her pain, guilt knotting in his stomach. He reached out, his hand

with his secret; he knew

like a_ potential catastrophe. How would Ariana

marry someone else? Or let her discover that her years of pain had been

had the strength to live without Theodore. So, maintaining the peace, even if it was built on an illusion, felt

face hidden in her hands. Her voice was a mere

just miss him so, so

added

that day, perhaps I’d be with him right now. We

her words, responded

“Don’t say that.”

comforting embrace. “You need to clear your head. The accident wasn’t on you. Neither was seeking help. You’ve done so much,

weathered so far is

residence, Holden had just coaxed Adele to sleep when

back, his response icy. “Handle the wedding details

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