After Love Died Softly

Synopsis

Five years after I broke up with James Carter, I ran into him again at a family dinner. He was my boss's son. I was there for a holiday visit, doing the polite thing, showing my face. For a second, the room went quiet. The kind of quiet that presses on your chest. Then we both smiled, the careful, practiced kind. "So," James said, casual but distant, "how have you been these past few years?" "I'm good," I replied, just as smoothly. "Life's been good. Family, work—can't complain." The night was wrapping up when he suddenly called my name. "Hannah." I turned. "You seem… different. Not in a bad way. Just different." I smiled at him, said nothing, and let the moment pass. The truth was, nothing about me had really changed. I just didn't need him anymore.