My Family Stole My Run I Returned A Leader Chapter 29
“I searched that stretch of beach for three days.”
“I never found the bracelet.”
“I’m sorry.”
His voice was rough.
“Some things really can’t be made up for by buying a new one.”
I looked at him without reaching for the tin and without offering comfort.
The hearing officer asked me,
“Do you accept the five-year no-contact commitment proposed by the other party?”
“I do.”
“Do you wish to retain the right to request an extension after it expires?”
“I do.”
Stefan’s eyes reddened.
“I won’t change my number anymore.”
“If you don’t want this box, I’ll hand it over to the registry for disposal.”
“I won’t use it to look for you again.”
I opened the electronic document and signed the last page.
“Destroy it.”
His body went rigid.
That note from eight years ago had once been the thing I treasured most.
Now it was only an old scrap of paper that had helped me survive many cold nights.
I didn’t need to keep it to prove I had once been briefly loved.
After verifying both signatures, the hearing officer said,
“The no-contact commitment takes effect immediately.”
“Mr. Stefan, any private attempt at contact will trigger further restrictions.”
Stefan answered quietly,
“I understand.”
Before the meeting ended, he looked at me one last time.
“Paloma.”
“This time, I won’t make you wait.”
“Not ever again.”
The screen went dark.
Half an hour later, the registry system sent its confirmation.
The agreement did not depend on feelings, or on someone suddenly growing a conscience.
It had a registration number, a term length, and consequences for violation.
It was the most respect Stefan had ever given me.
I archived the notice and went back to revising my lab report.