The Train Station Goodbye
A Contemporary Romance
Chapter 1: A Ticket to the Past
The train station smelled like rain and missed chances.
Clara clutched her coffee, eyes scanning the crowd.
She wasn’t sure why she had come.
Only that she had to.
And then—
She saw him.
Standing by the departure board, suitcase in hand.
Liam Carter.
Her first love.
And the man leaving in ten minutes.
Chapter 2: A Last Chance Conversation
Clara took a shaky breath and walked up to him.
Liam turned—and froze.
“Clara?”
She forced a smile. “Hey, stranger.”
His jaw tightened. “What are you doing here?”
Her fingers curled around her coffee cup.
“I don’t know,” she admitted.
But that was a lie.
She knew exactly why she was here.
Because if she didn’t say something now, she never would.
Chapter 3: The Goodbye That Never Happened
The train announcement echoed overhead.
“Final boarding for Chicago.”
Liam exhaled. “I wasn’t sure if I’d see you before I left.”
Clara swallowed. “I wasn’t sure either.”
For two years, they had been inseparable.
Late-night walks. Shared dreams.
Then, one day—
It ended.
No big fight. No dramatic goodbye.
Just distance.
And now, standing here, she realized—
She wasn’t ready to let go.
Chapter 4: Love, on a Deadline
Liam glanced at the clock. Five minutes.
“Clara,” he said softly. “I never stopped—”
She shook her head. “Don’t.”
If he said it now, it would hurt more.
But he stepped closer anyway.
“I still love you,” he whispered.
Her breath caught.
Because, despite everything—
She still loved him too.
Chapter 5: Stay or Go?
The train whistle blew.
Liam hesitated.
Clara’s heart pounded.
This was it.
He either got on that train—
Or he stayed.
And then—
“Clara,” he murmured, eyes searching hers. “Tell me not to go.”
Her throat tightened.
She wanted to.
But she couldn’t.
Because love shouldn’t be a choice between dreams.
And Liam had to chase his.
So, instead, she whispered—
“I’ll be here when you come back.”
His eyes softened.
And then—
The train doors closed behind him.
Epilogue: A Ticket Back to Her
A year later, Clara stood in the same spot.
Only this time—
A train arrived.
And stepping off, duffel bag slung over his shoulder—
Was Liam.
He met her gaze and smiled.
“Clara.”
She inhaled sharply.
Because sometimes, love doesn’t mean stopping someone from leaving.
It means being the reason they come back.