Chasing Him Across the Rainy Paris

"In the alumni lounge, Ashly’s ex Carter stood and revealed that for three years, someone had been anonymously sending him money, worried he was in need. The room erupted in cheers, all eyes turning to Ashly. Carter went on, describing how when his father was critically ill, someone flew across the country to stay at his bedside, even booking him a luxury hotel to rest while she slept exhausted under hospital lights. I quietly withdrew my hand from the table’s edge. No one knew Ashly and I had lived together for five years, or that her distant stares on our couch were moments spent longing for him. So that’s where her salary went, every dollar quietly supporting Carter’s life. I remembered the day my father died; she stayed ten minutes at the funeral before hurrying off. Now Carter took her hand in front of everyone and asked softly if they could start over. She did not pull away, only sat in silence."