At a lawyer luncheon, my husband, Álvaro, sat beside my college ex-boyfriend, Dominic, who remarked that I always made people feel valued. Álvaro shared this with me, sparking unease due to our messy breakup years ago. Dominic and I had been serious in college, but his ambition and infidelity in D.C. ended us. I’d cut contact since. His comment to Álvaro felt odd, and a subsequent Facebook friend request from him, followed by a message hinting at an apology, stirred curiosity. With Álvaro’s encouragement, I met Dominic for coffee. He
admitted his mistakes, revealing the D.C. affair was complicated but regrettable. Weeks later, Dominic offered Álvaro a high-stakes case, which Álvaro won, suspecting it was Dominic’s way of making amends. A note from Dominic confirmed this, expressing regret and wishing he’d been better. Sharing everything with Álvaro brought closure, not from Dominic’s gesture but from realizing my life with Álvaro surpassed my past. Dominic faded back to his world, leaving a reminder that people can change and seek redemption unexpectedly.
