Chasing Light Through Darkness By Caleb Snow 31

Chasing Light Through Darkness By Caleb Snow 31 Summary

Six years after their divorce, Annabeth unexpectedly runs into her ex-husband Jeffrey at a small cake shop. The shop assistant recognizes Jeffrey and warmly greets him, noting his usual purchase of a strawberry cake for his wife. Jeffrey notices the mango cakes Annabeth is carrying and insists on paying for hers as well, despite her attempts to pay him back. He casually mentions his improved financial status as a university professor, contrasting it with her past struggles.

 

Annabeth feels a mixture of emotions as Jeffrey pays for the cakes, and gently brushes over her wedding ring, a symbol of her new life with a different husband and child. Jeffrey questions whether she is still holding a grudge against him, but she denies it, though their interaction reveals unresolved tension. Jeffrey offers the cakes as an early birthday gift, showing a sincerity that surprises Annabeth. When she insists on reimbursing him, he advises her to use the money for something more practical, like new clothes, noticing her worn coat.

 

The encounter stirs memories and emotions from their past, especially the difficult divorce they endured. Jeffrey offers to give Annabeth a ride, but she declines, wary of his current wife’s jealousy. He then suggests exchanging numbers, but Annabeth firmly refuses, recalling how she had cut all ties with him after their breakup. Jeffrey expresses a desire for her happiness and even offers compensation for past hurts, revealing that although much time has passed, there are still lingering feelings and unresolved issues between them.

 

Their brief meeting highlights the complex emotions and history they share, blending past regrets with tentative gestures of goodwill. Despite the years and changes in their lives, the encounter leaves both of them reflecting on what has passed and what remains unspoken.

 

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BOOK 4 – Chapter 1

Six years had passed since our divorce when I unexpectedly bumped into Jeffrey at a quaint little cake shop downtown.

The moment he stepped inside, the shop assistant’s face lit up with recognition. “Professor Johnson! Back again for the strawberry cake for your wife? Same as always, right? I’ll wrap it up for you,” she said with a warm, familiar smile.

Jeffrey gave a simple nod in response.

Then, noticing the two neatly packed mango cakes in my hands, he turned to the waiter and said, “Please, add hers to my bill.”

I quickly reached for my card to pay, but he was faster, already swiping his before I could.

“These cakes are nearly a hundred dollars each,” he said casually. “You used to save for ages just to buy one. I’m a university professor, after all. My finances are a bit better than yours, so don’t be so polite.”

Despite his words, I still refused to accept his payment.

He glanced down at my worn coat and let out a soft sigh. “Annabeth, it’s been so many years. Are you still holding onto that grudge?”

I offered a faint smile. “You’re reading too much into this.”

My fingers unconsciously brushed over the wedding ring on my left hand, a subtle reminder of the life I’d moved on to. I had a new husband now, and a child who needed me. Holding resentment for Jeffrey simply wasn’t worth my time anymore.

Yet, Jeffrey had already paid for the cakes, leaving me no choice but to insist on reimbursing him.

The clerk gave me an apologetic smile. “Miss, I’m sorry, but this gentleman has already covered your purchase. Maybe you could transfer the money to him?”

Turning to Jeffrey, I said politely, “Please, just give me your bank details. I’ll send the money over.”

He sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice as he handed me the packaged cakes. “Annabeth, just take them. Your birthday’s in three days. Think of these as an early gift.”

His sincerity caught me off guard. I didn’t respond immediately but opened my payment app instead. “Just give me your bank number. I don’t like owing anyone.”

Especially not over two small cakes, which were just enough for a cozy afternoon tea with my daughter.

Seeing my stubbornness, Jeffrey remained silent for a long moment before finally pulling out his phone. “You really haven’t changed at all.”

I lowered my gaze and transferred the money quietly.

Jeffrey tried to stop me. “Annabeth, you don’t have to be so serious about this.”

His eyes flicked to my threadbare coat, as if wanting to say more but holding back. “I don’t need the money. You should use it to buy yourself some new clothes.”

I paused, surprised by his observation, then smiled faintly.

The truth was, earlier that day, while volunteering, I had lent my jacket to a young girl who unexpectedly got her period. Since autumn had settled in and the air was growing chilly, I had borrowed the cleaning lady’s coat on my way home.

Jeffrey probably thought I was struggling financially now.

I didn’t explain further. “Thank you,” I said softly before turning to leave.

But just as I started to walk away, his hand caught my arm.

“Let me give you a ride,” he offered.

I stiffened instantly and shook off his grasp. “No need. Your wife might misunderstand if she saw this.”

Jeffrey’s hand hovered briefly in mid-air, frozen. He knew all too well how jealous and coquettish his wife could be—she was eight years younger and had a knack for stirring trouble.

“Annabeth…” he began, still holding my sleeve gently. “Should we exchange numbers?”

I looked down, silent.

When we divorced six years ago, it had been messy. I deleted and blocked every one of Jeffrey’s contacts, vowing never to speak to him again for the rest of my life.

I shook my head firmly. “Forget it.”

“Annabeth, there’s no need to hold a grudge against me. After all these years, I just want you to be happy,” he said quietly.

He even mentioned wanting to add my contact info and transfer some money to me. “Consider it… compensation for what happened back then.”

I almost laughed, the memory flooding back.

Back then, I had made such a scene, throwing away all my dignity in the process.

But now, standing there with two mango cakes in hand, I realized how far we both had come — yet how much still lingered between us.

Conclusion

 

The encounter with Jeffrey stirred a quiet storm of emotions within Annabeth, a poignant reminder of their shared past and the distance they had traveled since their divorce. Despite the years and the new lives they had built, the small gestures—the cakes, the offer to pay, the concern for her well-being—spoke volumes about the lingering connection between them. It was a moment of vulnerability and unspoken understanding, where old wounds met the possibility of healing, even if only in a subtle, unspoken way.

 

As they parted, the weight of their history remained, but so did a fragile sense of closure. Annabeth’s guarded heart and Jeffrey’s gentle persistence underscored the complexity of their relationship—marked by pain, regret, and a quiet hope for peace. Though they chose to keep their distance, the encounter hinted that some bonds, no matter how fractured, never fully disappear, leaving room for reflection and perhaps, in time, forgiveness.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex emotions simmering beneath Annabeth and Jeffrey’s seemingly casual encounter. As old wounds subtly resurface, readers will witness the delicate dance between past grievances and the cautious steps toward understanding. Will Jeffrey’s unexpected gestures be a genuine attempt at reconciliation, or do they mask unresolved tensions that could reignite old conflicts?

 

Meanwhile, Annabeth’s internal struggle becomes more palpable as she balances her new life with the shadows of her past. The presence of her new husband and daughter adds layers of emotional complexity, hinting at the challenges she may face in navigating these intertwined relationships. The subtle hints of jealousy and misunderstandings surrounding Jeffrey’s current marriage also suggest that external pressures could complicate any potential thawing between them. Prepare for a chapter rich with poignant moments and the quiet unraveling of feelings long buried.