Falling for the Villian : A Novel Rewritten Chapter 2

After 17 year's

A quiet park bench under a cherry blossom tree, the petals gently falling around them. Spencer sits alone, lost in thought, when his sister-in-law, Nevaeh, walks by. She notices Spencer's contemplative demeanor and decides to sit with him.

Nevaeh Maxwell

Mind if I join you?

Spencer Maxwell

(startled, but smiles) Sure, Sister-in-law. It's a nice day, isn't it?

Nevaeh Maxwell

It really is. You've been coming here a lot lately. Just thinking?

Spencer Maxwell

(sighs) Yeah, just... memories, I guess.

Nevaeh Maxwell

(sits down beside him) You still think about her, don't you? Layla?

Spencer Maxwell

(staring at the ground) Every day. It's been seventeen years, and yet it. feels like she was just here yesterday.

Nevaeh Maxwell

(softly) I know it's tough. Losing someone you care about like that....

Spencer Maxwell

(Nodding) She and Jasper.... it was such a tragic accident. I still remember that phone call like it was yesterday.

Nevaeh Maxwell

Have you thought about moving on? I mean, finding someone else?(gently)

Spencer Maxwell

(shakes his head) I can't. I don't think I've ever really let her go. I always imagined us together, you know? .......She had this way of lighting up a room. No one else feels right.

Nevaeh Maxwell

(Supportively) It's okay to feel that way. But it's also okay to let yourself be happy again.

Spencer Maxwell

(Grief-stricken) I just... I feel guilty. Like I'm betraying her memory.

Nevaeh Maxwell

(reassuringly) Layla would want you to be happy, Spencer. She loved you.

Spencer Maxwell

(smiling softly) I loved her too. I still do. It's just... it's complicated

Nevaeh Maxwell

Life is complicated. But you deserve to feel joy again. Maybe it's time to start looking forward instead of backward.

Spencer Maxwell

........ I don't know... I just don't want to forget her.

Nevaeh Maxwell

You won't forget her. She's a part of you. But maybe it's time to let new memories in (says softly)

Spencer Maxwell

Maybe you're right....I haven't thought about it like that before.(with a hint of hope)

Nevaeh Maxwell

Just take it one step at a time. You don't have to rush anything.(smiling)

Spencer Maxwell

Thanks, Sister-in-law. I appreciate you being here.(nodding)

Nevaeh Maxwell

Always. Just remember, you're not alone in this... (Pat his head )

They sit in comfortable silence, the cherry blossoms dancing around them as Spencer contemplates Nevaeh words