Softly, he inquired, "If you had found out about the pregnancy sooner, would you have considered an abortion?"

Melissa's eyes welled with tears.

After a moment, she replied softly, "Mr. Fowler, your memory seems short. Allow me to remind you. You were the one who opposed my pregnancy and insisted I use contraception."

Marcus fell silent momentarily.

He queried, "So, Melissa, do you intend to hold a grudge against me forever because of that?"

The deadlock continued between the two sides.

Seated across from each other, they exchanged glances, both changed from three years ago.

Melissa glanced down, struggling to hold back her emotions. “Maybe it's time we stopped this back-and-forth, Marcus. Just let me be."

“But what about Matthew?"

Marcus' eyes met hers, his tone gentle yet probing. “Do you really want to go through life alone?"

"I'll leave that up to fate," Melissa replied, her words stinging Marcus.

Marcus' frustration bubbled up at Melissa's response.

After a moment's hesitation, he got up and walked to the French window. Sunlight streamed in, casting a glow on his figure. Finally, Marcus spoke up, his voice strained. "Melissa, can we ever have a second chance? I mean for us, you know."

Seated at the table, Melissa gazed at Marcus’ back.

Her eyes moistened with tears.

And her heartache echoed the pain of three years ago.

She got up and approached Marcus, but the distance between them felt insurmountable.

Taking a deep breath, Melissa tried to speak calmly. "Marcus, these past years have changed me. I'm not the same person I was. We made a mistake in the past-one we could have avoided. And as for Matthew, I'm glad you care for him. And I'd like to make arrangements if you want to visit. But that's it.

Let's move on and leave the past behind.

I can't deal with this all again."