Kate stands at the elevator, waiting for the strong arms of her husband to wrap around her, to beg her to stay, to drag her back into the loft. When the door dings open and Castle hasn't come for her, a fresh wave of tears cascades down her face and a strangled sob escapes her lips.
She knows in her mind that this is for the best; this is to protect Castle, Alexis, Martha - her family. But her mind and heart are not in agreement and walking away is almost too much, she almost breaks from the pain.
Kate sinks to the floor in the elevator, her grief all-consuming, and she lets the sobs wrack her body until she reaches the ground floor. She stands, swipes the tears from her cheeks and heads outside, desperate to get away before she changes her mind.
She hails a cab and just as she is about to open the door to get inside, she hears a commotion behind her. Kate turns around to see Castle bursting through the front door of the building, and her heart breaks all over again.
His face is stained with tears and she aches to see him this way, never imagined she could hurt him like this. Her own eyes swim with tears as he gets closer, and damn him, she's already losing her conviction, wants to fall into his arms and let him fix everything.
"Kate," he gasps, his voice rough with emotion, "please."
He holds out his hand and she sees the bracelet there, the one she thought was lost forever. He must have found it at the theatre and here he is, promising to her again to love her always.
She lets him attach it around her wrist, but when she turns to get in the cab he stops her, holds on to her other wrist so she is forced to look at him.
"Kate, the engraving on this bracelet says always, and I mean it. I will always wait for you, I will always love you, I will always fight for you."
He chokes back a sob and Kate feels the hot tears start to slide down her own face. Even after she walked away, he is here, proclaiming his love and claiming her heart. She doesn't know what she did to deserve this man, but she only hopes her choices now don't ruin what they have.
She doesn't say anything, doesn't think her voice is strong enough to say the words he needs to hear.
"Don't be long Kate, my heart is already lost without you. Please, come home soon."
And with that he lets go of her wrists. She reaches up and gives him a quick kiss on the lips. She tries to convey all of her feelings with the simple gesture, and hopes he understands the meaning; she loves him too, always.
Castle stays on the sidewalk after the kiss, but Kate gets in the cab and doesn't look back.