Chapter 5
I watched his taillights fade into the city traffic. I was clutching a marriage license and a mountain of unconditional trust.
When I walked into my house, my parents were sitting anxiously in the living room.
"So? How was it, Eris? Was he decent?" my mom asked as she leaned forward.
I did not say a word. I just pulled the marriage license out of my purse and tossed it onto the coffee table.
My parents stared at it.
They leaned in and looked at the paper to see my name right next to Jace's, complete with the official seal.
My mom's hands started to shake, and she nearly dropped it.
"Eris! Have you lost your mind?!" my mom blurted out, her voice shaking.
My dad looked like he was going to pass out. "You literally just met the guy!"
I took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad. I have not lost my mind. I am seeing clearer than I ever have."
I sat down and explained everything. I told them about Jace's four conditions, the bank accounts, the prenup, and the car.
By the time I finished, the living room was dead silent.
My dad let out a long breath and leaned back in his chair.
My mom's eyes slowly filled with tears. She pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh, my brave girl. You finally found a real man."
My dad stood up and patted my shoulder, his voice thick with emotion. "This Jace guy has honor. I support you a hundred percent, kiddo."
Having their blessing lifted the last bit of anxiety from my shoulders.
At exactly nine thirty that night, my phone buzzed.
It was a notification from my banking app.
[Transaction Alert: A wire transfer of $200,000.00 has been deposited to your account.]
I stared at the sheer number of zeros, my fingers going numb. A second later, a text from Jace popped up.
It was a photo.
The cockpit was illuminated by the soft blue glow of the instrument panels.
Tucked neatly right next to the main flight display was the photo of me from the city hall, framed perfectly.
Beneath the photo was an audio message. I pressed play.
"Mrs. Vector, I am prepping for takeoff. That deposit was my annual bonus that just cleared. The PIN is your birthday.
"My phone will be off for the next twelve hours. I will call you the second we land.
"Miss you already."
His voice over the speaker was steady and incredibly grounding.
Sitting there looking at my phone, I suddenly realized that the last twenty something years of my life were simply a prologue.
Everything had happened just so I could meet him today.
*****
Life with Jace was the kind of steady, quiet peace I never knew I needed.
He kept every promise he ever made.
Before every takeoff and right after every landing, a text and a photo would arrive like clockwork.
He kept his GPS location shared with me at all times.
I watched that little blue dot cross oceans and continents, making him feel close even when he was half a world away.
My parents finally stopped worrying.
My mom even started collecting new recipes, planning big family dinners for when Jace finally had time off.
My own life settled into a comfortable rhythm.
I drove the rugged SUV Jace had left for me, ignoring the curious looks from my colleagues.
They whispered about me landing a "rich guy," but I just smiled and kept to myself.
Real happiness didn't need an explanation.
I honestly thought the Chapter with Tristan was closed for good. I was wrong.
One evening, as I pulled up to my apartment complex, I saw a familiar figure by the security gate.
It was Tristan.
He looked gaunt and exhausted, leaning against the brick wall in a wrinkled shirt and nursing a cigarette.
When he spotted my car, his eyes lit up. He crushed the cigarette and ran over.
"Eris! You're finally home!" He reached for my door handle.
I locked the doors and rolled the window down just a crack.
"Can I help you?" I asked, my voice cold.
He flinched, then forced a desperate, pleading smile. "Eris, please. I know what happened with my mother was a mess.
"I was a coward for not standing up for you, and I've regretted it every day. Give me one more chance, okay?"
He leaned against the window, his eyes full of desperation.
Two weeks ago, that look might have reached me. Now, it just felt pathetic.
"Tristan, it's over," I said.
"It's not over!" He slammed his hand against the glass. "Eris, we were together for three years. You can't just walk away.
"I know you're still angry at me.
"Is that what you want? For my mom to say sorry to you?"