And now I was discovering that, once upon a time, he had been ready to walk away.
He saw the change in my expression.
“That’s why I never told you. I was afraid you would think I married you only because your father asked me to.”
I remained silent.
“Was that how it was?”
George suddenly smiled.
“No.”
He reached into the box again.
This time, he pulled out an old train ticket.
“This is the ticket I was supposed to use.”
He turned it over.
It had never been stamped.
“After I spoke with your father, I went home. I sat on the edge of the bed all night thinking. The next morning, I went to the station.”
My heart began pounding again.
“And?”
“I stood there watching that train, and I realized I didn’t want to get on it.”
He looked me straight in the eyes.
“Not because of your father. Not because I felt sorry for you. I imagined my life without you, and for the first time, I realized that wasn’t the life I wanted.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“I went back home. Three days later, I bought a ring.”
I covered my mouth with my hand.
