If You Had Stayed - Chapter 3

From that moment on, Bernice cut off all contact with Jocelyn. She changed her phone number and moved out of her rental place so he couldn't track her down. Yet, a part of her found it strange; after all, they still lived in the same city—if Jocelyn had really been determined to find her, he certainly could have. But for nearly two months after her sudden abandonment, he remained completely silent, making no attempt to reach out or look for her. And just like that... nearly ten years had slipped away.

Looking at Jocelyn today, Bernice knew he was immensely successful. It felt like a stinging slap across the face of the selfish, greedy girl she used to be. If she had only stayed patient, if she had only recognized the raw excellence within him, she wouldn't be suffering like this today.

"What do you do now? Are you married?"

Pushing past her awkwardness, Bernice fired off the questions she had been burning to ask. Jocelyn smiled warmly.

"I run a small company, and things are going pretty well overall. And yes, I'm married. My wife's family lives around here; I brought her back to visit her parents today. I never expected to bump into you."

"I... I'm so sorry about what happened back then. I was so selfish. I listened to everyone else gossiping and couldn't stay true to our love."

"I don't blame you, Bernice. You're a woman, and you needed stability. You needed a husband who could provide for you. And back then... I was just a jobless guy. After you left, I wanted to go look for you, and I knew if I searched, I would find you. But in the end, I didn't. I didn't want to put you in an awkward position. If you needed me, you would have come back. But when you chose to walk away, that was the life you chose for yourself."

"I'm sorry, I'm so awful."

"No, I don't hold any grudges. If I have to blame anyone, it should be myself for not having the backbone to be a secure pillar for you back then. But ironically, because you left, I became fiercely determined to build my career, which is how I got to where I am today. Honestly, when I first found success, I thought about tracking you down. But then I found out you got married just nine months after we split. I decided not to look for you out of fear that I would disrupt your family's happiness. That's why I've never been angry with you."

Their conversation was cut short when Jocelyn’s phone rang.

"Hey, honey, wait for me just a minute. I'm coming to pick you up now. See you in a bit."

Bernice knew instantly that he was talking to his wife. He apologized and excused himself because he had to go pick her up. The sweet tone, the warm words, and the hurried care Jocelyn showed his wife made Bernice want to burst into tears. He said his goodbyes and left. Bernice sat frozen in her seat, watching his receding figure as hot tears streamed down her face.

"Mom, why are you crying?"

Bernice started, quickly wiping away her tears before taking her little girl by the hand to head home.

"Mom's fine, let's go, sweetie."

Bernice walked back with her daughter toward a home where, for all she knew, a few dishes might already be smashed to pieces because of her lateness with dinner tonight.