Goodbye Means Never Again

Justine slung the heavy bag over her shoulder and walked away. Noah didn't chase after her, and she hadn't expected him to.

With Hazel clinging to his arm, Noah didn't spare a second glance at Justine. His attention was entirely consumed, leaving no room for anything beyond Hazel's presence.

By the time Justine sold off the last of her things, the sky had already gone dark. Every house on the block was alight with joy.

Justine didn't want to spend the evening wallowing in self-pity, so she headed to a bar she had always wanted to visit but never had. The decor was artsy, and the vibe was mellow.

She had mentioned it once to Noah, but he had sneered and said it wasn't the kind of place decent people went to.

The moment she stepped inside, she could feel the difference. Unlike most bars, it wasn't loud or chaotic. Soft music filled the space, the dim lighting enveloping the place in a cozy and calm vibe.

She chose a spot in the corner and had barely taken her seat when the host walked onto the small stage, tapping the mic to quiet the room.

"Tonight, on this special evening, we have a very special guest. Please welcome her with a warm round of applause!"

The crowd clapped enthusiastically. From behind the curtain, a familiar figure stepped out.

Hazel swept her gaze across the room with a soft, graceful smile. Her expression froze for a brief second when she spotted Justine, but she quickly recovered and flashed an even brighter smile as she took hold of the mic.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Hazel Gilbert. A year ago, I was the resident singer here… and this is where I met the love of my life again."

She turned her gaze toward Noah. The stage lights followed, landing directly on Noah.

One stood on stage while the other watched from the crowd. They stared at each other like a fated couple from a love story.

The audience whistled and cheered. The host even waved Noah up.

Gavin clapped and pushed his father toward the stage. For once, the man who always wore a poker face blushed.

Justine sat tucked away in the corner with her arms crossed, quietly watching the show unfold on and off stage. She was the one with the legal marriage certificate—yet at this moment, she felt more like a bystander witnessing someone else's love story.

"Thank you, Noah—for standing up for me that day. My heart has never changed," Hazel said softly, her voice trembling like she might cry.

Noah's expression turned tender. He reached out, gently wiping a tear from her cheek.

"Kiss! Kiss!" the crowd began chanting.

Hazel glanced triumphantly at Justine.

Her husband and son were standing in front of strangers, making no effort to deny another woman's affection. It was pathetic.

Justine dropped her eyes and downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

As cheers and whistles echoed around her, she quietly stood up and slipped toward the exit.

Noah stared at Hazel but couldn't stop his thoughts from drifting to Justine's expression that morning—cold, distant, disgusted. It unsettled him more than he expected.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure slipping out through the bar's exit. He thought, "Justine? What the hell is she doing here? Didn't I tell her not to come to places like this?"

But before he could process the thought, he saw a man following her, looking way too suspicious. Noah didn't even think. He stepped off the stage and ran after her.

Hazel was still basking in the thrill of revenge and soaking up the spotlight. She was certain she had finally swayed Noah tonight. But he stayed silent, as if caught in hesitation.

Just as she was about to prompt him, Noah said nothing as he simply stepped off the stage and ran outside.

Hazel thought, "Is he chasing after Justine? Why? Things were going so perfectly."

Her heart surged with panic, and she ran after him without thinking.

The audience broke into hushed murmurs, confused by the sudden drama.

…

Outside, the night breeze was sharp and cold. Justine pulled her coat tighter around her as the alcohol started burning through her stomach. She wasn't much of a drinker. Her head was spinning, and she barely made it a few steps before the dizziness forced her to stop. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself.

A voice called out, unfamiliar and unsettling. "Hey, pretty lady. You out here all alone?"

Justine whipped around, instantly alert. She took a step back.

The man wore a cap low over his face. She couldn't see him clearly before he suddenly reached out, trying to grab her.

She fought back, but he was strong—far too strong.

"Justine!" It was Noah.

At that moment, Justine didn't care about the divorce or her pride. She screamed, "Noah! Help me!"

Startled, the assaulter, Alger Potter, froze and loosened his grip.

But just as Noah reached them, another voice called out behind him. There was a yelp and the sound of someone collapsing to the ground. Hazel clutched her ankle, tears streaming down her face. "Noah, my foot... I think it's twisted…"

"Dad! Ms. Gilbert's hurt! We have to take her to the hospital," Gavin shouted, panicked.

Alger suddenly tightened his grip on Justine, his gaze meeting Noah's with a streak of challenge. Anyone with common sense would know what to prioritize at that moment.

Justine stared at Noah, her eyes pleading.

Noah hesitated. But ultimately, he turned around. He picked Hazel up without hesitation and called out over his shoulder, "Don't be afraid. I'll call the police for you!"

Gavin shouted in angry protest, "She's just a freak, Dad! Why do you even care?"

Just like that, the three of them disappeared into the night.

Justine stood there, frozen in disbelief.