My Dying Wife Asked Me to Find My First Love as Her Final Wish—When Claire Told Me Why, My Knees Nearly Gave Out

Two people grieving different versions of the same woman.

PART 20 — ELAINE REMEMBERS SOMETHING

A week later, Elaine called.

“When Margaret moved to Chicago, Mom was furious.”

“Why?”

“She thought Margaret was following you.”

My chest tightened.

“Did Margaret ever say that?”

“No.”

“But Mom said something like, ‘You’re building your whole life around someone who doesn’t even know what you want.’”