His Regrets In Divorcing The Heiress

The Empty Seat

Evan Park (POV)

"Are you sure you have everything?" Evan's sister and brother-in-law asked him.

"I'm sure. All my worldly possessions are right here. Evan forced a smile as his sister dabbed her eyes with a napkin. "Hey Pam, it's okay."

She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. It's not okay, and it's so unfair that Debbie is gone. It's not okay that you must abandon your whole life and family. Can't you reconsider? You have so much in Georgia; Why leave it all now?

Part of Evan agreed with her. But there were just too many memories from his past life here. His marriage was a happy one. But realistically, what choice did he have? Sure, he could stay pretending that his life was untouched by his wife's memory. But he knew, deep down, that to stay in a city where every street, sidewalk, and brick seemed imprinted with her name would be the end of him. It is better to nurse a broken heart to the other side of the country.

"New York's not so bad. Plus, we have our Korean family members who live there. He put his hand on Pam's shoulder as she let out a loud sob.

"Don't worry about me, okay? I'm going to be fine. I'll be busy working, and I'll make new friends. I won't be alone."

Evan's uncle contacted him from New York last month, letting him know he needed his law expertise in Estates. The timing couldn't be more perfect. His Korean uncle Edmond, his fathers older brother became like a dad to Evan when his father died only seven years ago. And now, once again, uncle Edmond is there for him during a difficult time. Evan over the years became very close to uncle, especially since Uncle Edmond and Aunt Peggy couldn't have any children. Uncle Edmond couldn't wait for this day to arrive when Evan would be ready to move to New York—and join the family law firm as a partner.

It was a critical case for the law firm he had acquired, and he was responsible for ensuring all his clients' wishes were carried out to the letter. He needed Evan to come to New York to handle and secure the case. Uncle Edmond felt he would be perfect and more effective for this client, not to mention it would allow his nephew to put his skills into practice again and enable him to see if he would be interested in living permanently here in New York. Evan knew the position was already his for the taking, not out of nepotism, but he knew he was qualified and would do a good job. Besides, mentally and emotionally, he needed a break from his realities in Georgia.

The chatter and pitapat of little feet came bursting into the living room.

"Hey! Uncle Evan! We forgot. Where are you going to live now?"

His four-year-old nephew, Junior, asked him as he licked the double scoop of chocolate ice cream Uncle Evan had brought them on their last outing together in Georgia that had dripped down his hand.

"Buddy, Uncle Evan will be moving to New York, "He told his four-year-old nephew, reaching up and grabbing a napkin off the table and wiping their little hands and mouths covered in chocolate. He was going to miss Junior and his two-year-old little sister Chrissy tremendously.

"You will come to visit me in New York. I promise." He tells the kids, then rustles them into his famous uncle Evan bear hug as he carries them to the front porch.

Pam gazed up at her brother, mascara streaking down her cheeks, "Well, I guess I have no choice but to trust you are going to be alright. But you'd better call me every week. I want to know everything. You promise?"

His sister affectionately straightens out her brother's collar and continues, "You've done enough for us, Evan, and we appreciate it."

"No, it's the other way around, Sis. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without you and the family."

Evan promised his sister he would call often as his heart felt heavier than anticipated. Evan put on his sunglasses as the taxi pulled up in front of his sister's house, honking twice. When he got all his belongings in the cab and sat inside the car, he quickly rolled down the window and gave his final wave goodbye. He saw the sad faces of his sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephew, who were crying their eyes out as they waved goodbye to him. Seeing the kids cry made him tear up more. He rolled the window up and allowed himself to look back again out the rearview window as the taxi drove away.

His gold wedding ring glinted from the sun as he placed his hand on the window. The ring was the one last reminder he was bringing with him. He pulled it off his finger in the taxi on his way to the airport and carefully placed it in his pocket. He knew he would be ready to take it off at some point. Today was the day for that—the first step in starting anew.

Then he sadly mumbled. "It's done."

The Empty Seat:

Gwen's eyes happened to raise above her iPad as she caught sight of a gorgeous-looking man who was impeccably dressed, with a pristine white shirt, expertly tailored dark brown slacks falling from his slim waist to the tops of his leather Italian shoes, and legal-size leather portfolio with a crafter's logo, that silently announced European. Gwen averted her gaze as he walked down the aisle. She was mumbling, rolling her eyes. 'I hope he isn't about to sit here. Men, they are nothing but trouble.' She says, raising her tablet backup, hoping he would keep it moving and pass up the empty seat beside her. While Evan Park searches for his seat, he stops mid-stream and hesitates; there is a problem. Evan saw this woman with her belongings sprawled all over the empty seat next to her, his seat.

It was making him sigh heavily. It has been years since he took a flight and had to be in close quarters with strangers. He was a married man and traveled with his wife for years. Until his lovely wife's health began failing her, and he had to become her sole caretaker these last few years of their marriage. In the last few years, Debbie suffered from severe bouts of depression after several miscarriages, which left them childless. Her physical and emotional weak state over time declined her health, and eventually, his wife passed away.

Adjusting to life without her hasn't been easy for Evan. Logically, he knew going to New York was what he had to do to get away from Georgia. He couldn't stay now that he had an opportunity to do and see something different. He'd thought his loneliness would improve over time after living with his sister and her family, but if anything, it had worsened. He felt a knot forming in his throat at this very moment. Everything here in Georgia reminded him of Debbie. He knew he would love his wife until he took his last breath, but he couldn't live in the past anymore. It had been some time now, and he knew being here in Georgia had kept him holding on to her love. It was the type of love he longed to find again. But his passion and love for Debbie made it almost impossible to find it here in Georgia. Evan couldn't go to the grocery store, the movies, dinner, or even for a walk without remembering her and them. Smells, food, places, every street, every sound, and every building here held memories of her and their love.

And as much as he wanted to hold on to these memories, never to let one of them fade- or God forbid, let his memories disappear entirely, they were drowning him. This trip was Evan's first step in trying to move on. He hoped it would be what he needed and longed for a fresh new start.

But he stood frozen in the middle of the plane's aisle, feeling highly nervous about approaching this female. However, it appears simple to find out if this was his seat. His eyes glanced around at the other passengers, who were all seated, ready for takeoff. Evan mumbled, 'I'm the only passenger still standing on the aircraft besides the attendants. What's wrong with me? I must still be in shock,' he decided. 'It hasn't sunk in yet that I'm a single man, and it's okay to approach and talk to a female. It would not be pleasant to have attendants escort a grown man to his seat. I paid for that seat. Here goes nothing, there's no turning back now.' The young lady appeared deep into her reading as he approached.

A male's voice interrupts Gwen's reading. "Excuse me, Ms., I don't mean to disturb you, but I think this is my seat."