Chapter 29 - The Church Door
Decades after failed wedding, Ethan passed St. Matthew’s.
Emma was with him.
She pointed.
“That church?”
“Yes.”
“Want to go in?”
He hesitated.
Then:
“Sure.”
They entered.
No wedding that day.
Quiet.
Sun through stained glass.
Ethan stood near altar.
He remembered Vanessa walking.
Phone.
Naomi’s voice.
Baby cry.
Running.
Emma looked around.
“This place is smaller than articles make it sound.”
Ethan laughed.
“Yes.”
Then she asked:
“If I hadn’t cried, would you have married Vanessa?”
He smiled.
“You would have cried eventually.”
“Dad.”
He thought.
“I don’t know.”
Honest.
“Maybe.”
“That’s weird.”
“Life is.”
Then:
“Do you regret leaving?”
“No.”
“Do you regret how?”
“Yes.”
Public humiliation of Vanessa.
He wished he had handled differently if possible.
But emergency truth mattered.
Then Emma said:
“I’m glad you came.”
Ethan looked at daughter.
“So am I.”
No destiny.
Choice after information.
They left.
Church door closed behind.
No ghost.
No unfinished altar.
May you like
Just building.
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