His hand covered mine. “No. I don’t want it back. I bought it for you, Rose. It’s yours.” He tilted my face up to his. “I want to look at you one last time.”

“I’m bruised and swollen. I don’t even have on makeup. This is how you want to remember me?”

He tried to smile, but his chin quivered. “You’re beautiful. Yes, this is how I want to remember you, just like this. Brave and strong and willing to stand up for what you believe in. Don’t ever let anyone change you to be what they need. Me included, Rose.” He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my lips, then headed for the door.

“So that’s it?” I asked, my voice breaking as I followed him into the living room. “It’s over, just like that?”

He opened the front door and held it open, turning around to look at me. “It was over from the beginning. I’ve just been waiting for my past to catch up to me.” He pressed his lips together and swallowed, tears filling his eyes. “Goodbye, Rose.”

I stood in disbelief as I watched my world walk out the door.