Yes, he finally came, though a bit late.
The car stopped at the end of the road, ahead was the sea, the sky was dim, and the road ahead was unclear.
“I want to get out and walk.”
“I want to see the sea, Nelson.”
Seeing that there were no people or cars around, he finally unlocked the central lock.
Callie got out of the car, walked to the railing, and looked at the vast sea, her heart aching. Nelson followed behind her.
She had been wearing white a lot recently; her long hair was blown by the sea breeze, looking young and troubled.
She suddenly said, “Nelson, I agree.”
Nelson looked at her back, feeling a surge of restlessness, clearly surprised.
“You’ve done a lot for me these past two years, I know. It’s just New Zealand, I’ll go.” She turned around and looked into his eyes.
He squinted, “Why?”
“Because I’ve thought it through. I can’t let go of these years with you, nor the resources you can provide. It’s just a year, I can wait. Consider it a gift to you.”
Nelson saw that Callie’s expression was normal, even somewhat relieved. He found it hard to believe.
As they stood there in silence, a couple appeared on the beach, probably students from a nearby university. One held a trash bag, the other had tongs, picking up litter as they walked and talked, full of youthful energy.
They walked closer and noticed the people standing by the railing, looking a bit surprised.
The girl shyly glanced at Callie and Nelson and whispered, “Missy, you’re so pretty, and your boyfriend is so handsome.”
Callie smiled and took out her phone from her pocket. “Can you take a picture of us?”
“Of course!”
Nelson frowned, but Callie had grabbed his hand. “Smile.”
The man and woman in the camera both had mature qualities. Especially Nelson, whose usually stern face showed a hint of a smile. The girl quickly snapped the photo and then said, “Get closer!”
Callie felt a bit uneasy, but Nelson had raised his hand and pulled her into his embrace. His voice was deep, “Take it.”
With a click, this became their only photo together besides the one on their marriage certificate.
The girl beamed with joy. “It’s beautiful.” Before leaving, she handed back the phone and whispered, “I wish you both a long and happy life!”
Callie smiled and watched them leave. She casually said, “Do you think if we had met in college, we could have been like them?”
Nelson followed her thoughts and imagined if Maevelyn hadn’t gone missing.
She would have been full of youth; he would have been spirited. They would have fallen in love and started dating in college, then graduated, married, and had children. Life would have been simple.
Callie evidently thought of this too. She smiled bitterly. “But there’s no ‘if’.”
“There is…” Nelson instinctively reached out but grasped nothing as Callie withdrew her hand. “Let’s go back.”
She seemed calm as if she really agreed to go to New Zealand.
Nelson didn’t believe it at first, but Callie followed him back to Paucaster Villa and then went to sleep in the master bedroom.
Her sleeping face was peaceful and gentle, showing no signs of scheming. Nelson quietly left and made a phone call. “Make the arrangements.”
On the other end of the line, Anthony said, “There are only flights to New Zealand at 3 PM and 7 PM. Which one do you prefer?”
“7 PM.” After a night of turmoil, she should rest well.