"Come on, dad. A short walk around the street will be good for you."

Flora pulled off the blanket and helped him up to his feet. He had been spending so much time at home that she wondered about his health. Aside from the drugs, he needed good meals and exercise. He had been neglecting his exercises. Since he was on a break from work, he had little to do in the house but the small chores he could find because she didn't leave much for him to do.

"You don't have to stay around fussing over me every night. Go out. Enjoy some friendly company."

"I will, Dad." She helped him into his jacket and set his sandals down at his feet. "As soon as we get you on a planned schedule."

"I'll start taking walks. I'll eat whatever you leave in the fridge for me if it means you'll get back to even a semblance of your past self."

"I will. I will."

She was putting in the effort. Thankfully, aside from the magazines that posted stories of Samuel's family here and there was little to remind her of him. She had gone back to work, pouring her effort into expanding the store as she had planned.

She locked the door and stuck to his side as they walked. "You need to get your exercise in. Walking around the house is fine, but try going out."

"I will. I am not usually motivated to do it. It's the only reason I don't."

"Find the motivation." She encouraged. "Fresh air is also good for the health."

"I have heard the sermons."

She laughed. They walked further down the street, taking the longer road back to the house. She kept her steps paced, making sure it was fast enough to provide him with a challenge without it being too much to bear.

After a long walk, they stopped by the store to pick up a few groceries and started back towards their house. Everything had been perfect until she decided to take another road to get home. One more street for a long walk to enjoy the night. That had been her mistake. The only reason she ran into Samuel and his wife. They were still far off when she spotted them. She could have turned around and used her normal route, but she refused to be a coward.

They were talking, looking back at one of the houses. Then they began to laugh, leaning on each other. They looked happy. She was a gorgeous woman, and Samuel looked to enjoy her company. Why won't he be, they were married. The more they spoke, the more they laughed, the more they could barely stand on their feet. She felt her father gently pat her hand, and she nodded, not turning to look at him. She had not seen them since the beach, but she was ready to face him. If she needed to move on, she needed to start from facing him without breaking out in anger or heartbreak.

"Flora." Samuel nodded, standing stock still with Kali looking between them. "Good evening."

"Evening." She muttered.

"Good evening, sir." Samuel greeted, and Kali bowed towards her father.

"Good evening, Samuel. How have you been."

"Fine. I hope you are doing better."

"Yes. Stronger every day. We came out to buy groceries, but we need to get back home."

"Yes, sir." Samuel stepped aside, and Flora walked by them, her chin up and her shoulders ramrod straight.

"Goodnight." She whispered as she passed by.

Samuel nodded. "Good night."

She kept her composure until they got back home. Quietly, she helped her dad out of his jacket, and they placed their shoes by the door. Dutifully, she took the groceries to the kitchen, stocked the fridge, and pushed the cartons of biscuits and tea into the cupboards. Thankfully, although she felt sad, she didn't cry. Not a tear fell from her eyes, they weren't even close to forming. That was an improvement.

"What do you want to watch tonight?" She asked when she returned to the living room with a glass of water.

"Anything. I might even be asleep soon."

"Alright." She chose a random channel and snuggled into the sofa, spreading the blanket over her legs and folding her arms beneath her chest.

Her father didn't address the incident on the road, but it didn't surprise her in the least. After the breakup, he encouraged her to leave the relationship with her head held high, and not spend her time grovelling over Samuel. Her father wasn't one to hold grudges and he didn't want her doing it either. He insisted that she had been a remarkable partner, and Samuel could not value that. If anything, she deserved to move on and get her life back together because she had done things right.

She needed happiness of her own. If she didn't have the man she loved, she could have the life she wanted. She would have her business, her friends, her father, and her home. In time, all traces of love for him would fade, and the mark of his betrayal would follow. Then she'd be ready to move on. She'd be ready to love someone new.