60. Goodbye Sharon

Two weeks have passed since the warm but awkward meeting between Josh, Ashley, and their two moms. Many things have changed since then. The wounds on Ashley's body are slowly healing, both physically and mentally. Mrs. Kim finally declared Ashley healthy, and the news brought a wave of new plans-including the long-delayed honeymoon.

Josh's mom, with her typical enthusiasm, decided to give a special gift: a honeymoon trip to Paris. Everything was organized in perfect detail, from the first-class flight to the luxurious hotel overlooking the Seine River. Ashley herself could hardly believe it was all happening so fast. But, on the other side of the city, Josh faced a more complicated dilemma.

The night before departure, Josh sat in his car, staring at his phone screen that displayed Sharon's name. He took a deep breath before finally pressing the call button.

When Sharon picked up, Josh could almost feel the anger simmering from the other side of the line, even before a word was spoken.

“Why are you telling me this now?!” exclaimed Sharon, her voice sharp with disappointment.

Josh rubbed his tired face. "I'm sorry, honey. I... I don't know where to start. It's all too soon. I couldn't resist either."

Sharon was silent for a while, then her voice sounded colder. “Then you have to make it up to me tonight.”

“What do you want?” asked Josh, almost in a whisper.

"I want you to come to my apartment. Now. Bring all the branded stuff you promised. And... that diamond too."

Josh nodded even though Sharon couldn't see him. "Okay. I'll be there."

That night, Sharon's apartment was filled with the delicate scent of aromatherapy candles. Sharon stood there, wearing a dark red sheer silk dress, her eyes shining with emotion. A mixture of anger, desire, and the need to own Josh completely.

Josh approached, handing over the grocery bags containing the bags, shoes, and small box of diamonds he had bought in a hurry. Sharon took it without so much as a word, just letting out a long sigh as she gave Josh a deep, penetrating look.

“I don't need all this,” Sharon muttered, setting the expensive bags down on the sofa without looking at their contents. “I just need you tonight.”

Josh approached her, tracing the lines of Sharon's face gently. There was guilt settling in his chest, but more than that, there was pity. He knew all too well how much Sharon loved him... and how fragile she was when it came to letting him go, even temporarily.

They spent the night in long embraces, in kisses that seemed to erase the distance that would soon be created. Sharon led Josh to completely indulge her. She wanted every touch, every breath, to be a memory that was deeply imprinted in Josh's mind.

They shared that night not only with passion, but also with the fear of loss. Sharon demanded more hugs, more pecking on the forehead, on the cheeks, on the fingertips, as if then she could seal Josh to herself.

Josh complied with everything. Stroking Sharon's hair, holding her close, whispering soft promises in her ear even though her heart was filled with doubts. They both gave each other everything, in silence full of sighs, in trembling bodies that melted into warmth.

As the night wore on, Sharon never let Josh out of her arms. Again and again she touched the man's face, memorizing every curve, hoping her memory was strong enough to withstand the longing that would come.

"I love you..." Sharon whispered softly through the drowsiness.

Josh just closed his eyes, hugging her tighter. The words hung in the air, heavy and real, yet Josh was too cowardly to answer with honesty.

Morning came too soon.

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of the apartment, caressing Josh's sleeping body on Sharon's bed. The alarm clock on his phone went off, reminding him that their time was up.

Josh woke up with a heavy head. His body felt tired, his muscles aching after a long night without any real sleep.

He turned his head, looking at Sharon who was still sleeping peacefully by his side, her face as peaceful as a child's.

For a moment, Josh allowed himself to savor the sight-seconds of calm before everything fell apart again.

But he couldn't delay any longer.

Carefully, Josh got up, put on his clothes, and stroked Sharon's hair once more. “I'll be back,” he whispered, though he wasn't sure when he could keep that promise.

A few hours later, Josh arrived home with the suitcase he hadn't had time to prepare since last night. Ashley was waiting for him in the living room, her face looking calm but her eyes watching Josh's every move.

“Sorry, I overslept,” Josh said, trying to sound casual.

Ashley just smiled a little. "It's okay. We still have time."

They left for the airport with the family driver driving. In the car, Josh glanced at Ashley several times. The girl seemed calm, looking out the window with an unpredictable expression.

Josh had his cell phone in his pocket, almost tempted to text Sharon. But he knew better than to. Everything was already complicated enough.

Ashley suddenly said, as if reading his mind, “You don't have to feel guilty.”

Josh turned his head, looking at her. “I... don't know what you mean.”

Ashley smiled faintly, as if she knew more than she showed. "You're only human, Josh. Just like me. We all have our own ways of surviving."

Josh didn't know what to answer.

The car sped through the city streets, heading towards the international airport that would take them to Paris. To a new world, to a new beginning-or at least, that's what everyone expected.

In his heart, Josh wondered: could he really start from scratch, when his past was still shackled so tightly?

And on the other hand, Ashley also silently asks: can she survive in this world built on lies?

They stepped into the departure terminal, their suitcases rolling behind them, and the morning sun highlighted their long shadows on the marble floor. A new journey begins-with old wounds that haven't fully healed.

But as Ashley said earlier, they were only human. And perhaps, that was enough for now.