Chapter 22 On the day Graham was discharged , his adjutant , Frank , came to pick him up . He slipped into his old military uniform , faded from countless washes but still sharply tailored . His frame remained tall and unyielding , yet the hollows beneath his brow and the chill in his eyes betrayed a man worn thin by grief . He didn't return to the Crestwood Suites . Instead , he told Frank to drive straight to Evelyn's apartment building . He knew this would be the last time . Evelyn had just returned from work , carrying a bag of trash toward the dumpster downstairs . When she spotted the familiar Jeep and the gaunt , pale figure of Graham stepping out , her steps faltered . Her eyes instantly formed a guarded wall , wary and unyielding . Graham approached slowly , his steps hesitant . He stopped a few paces away , keeping his distance . From the pocket of his uniform , he pulled out a manila envelope and held it toward her in silence . When he spoke , his voice was quiet , flat , and hollow , as if life itself had been drained : " Evelyn . " Her name caught in his throat , rough and strained . " I'm sorry . " He paused , gathering the strength to continue . " I was blind ... chasing shadows when I should have seen you . I hurt you , and I'll never forgive myself for it . " His gaze fell to the envelope . " This - the deed to our old house , my savings - it's yours . It always should have been . I know it doesn't mean much to you ... " He lifted his eyes to hers , a storm of regret , pain , and lingering affection flickering in his gaze , as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her face . " ... but please , let me do this one thing . Let me leave with a shred of peace . " Evelyn didn't take the envelope . She watched him quietly , her gaze calm , free of anger or resentment - just a deep , unshakable serenity born of surviving unbearable pain . That look pierced Graham , snuffing out the last ember of hope in his chest . Chapter 22 95.65 % He lowered his hand and set the envelope gently on the nearby windowsill . Then he straightened , wincing as the movement tugged at the wounds along his back . He met her gaze , his voice steady and deliberate . " I've been reassigned to Frosthaven Base . I won't ... come back to trouble you . " His eyes drifted past her , lingering on the modest but warm apartment behind her , before returning to her face . A faint tremor broke through his voice . " I wish you and Nathan Reed every happiness . " With that , he stepped back , raised his right hand , and gave her a salute - crisp , heavy , and final . The dying sunlight bathed his pale face and worn uniform , casting a somber golden glow , framing him in quiet sorrow . This salute was for the love he'd lost , the wrongs he could never undo , and for her - finally free to start anew . Then , he turned sharply and walked away . One step , two steps ... toward the Jeep . His posture remained rigid , yet his back carried the weight of deep , unshakable loneliness . This was all he could give his final act of love and regret : setting her free , stepping out of her life for good . Strangers from now on , never to cross paths again . Evelyn stood frozen , watching his figure disappear behind the car door . She watched the Jeep start , pull away , and vanish around the alley's corner , stirring a faint cloud of dust . She stood there for a long time , silent and still . The sky darkened . Neighboring lights flickered on , accompanied by the clatter of pans and calls for kids to come eat . Only then did she lower her gaze to the bulky manila envelope on the windowsill . She reached out , her fingers brushing lightly over its surface , but she didn't open it . Then , she picked it up and turned back toward her apartment . A few days later , that same envelope appeared , unopened , on the desk of a local nonprofit education organization . The donor's name was left blank . Chapter 22 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!