Updated Apr 13, 2026 • ~4 min read
Chapter 26: Morgan’s Goodbye
Oliver
Morgan stays in Salem for a week after the battle, helping with cleanup and coordination and making sure Sage doesn’t immediately throw herself back into work before she’s fully recovered, and Oliver finds himself genuinely appreciating her presence despite the initial jealousy.
She’s good for Sage in ways Oliver isn’t—understands magical politics, can navigate coven hierarchies, knows how to deflect unwanted attention—and watching them work together, Oliver sees why they were together before, sees the history and respect even though the romance is long gone.
“I’m heading back to New York tomorrow,” Morgan announces over dinner on Friday night—Rowan is there too, because apparently they’ve all become a found family without Oliver quite noticing when it happened.
“Already?” Rowan asks, disappointed.
“I have a coven to get back to,” Morgan says. “And Sage is recovered enough to handle things from here.”
“You’re welcome to stay longer,” Sage offers, and through the bond Oliver feels that she means it, that Morgan’s presence has been helpful rather than awkward.
“I appreciate that,” Morgan says. “But I think it’s time. You three have a rhythm now, and I’d just be disrupting it.”
After dinner, Morgan pulls Oliver aside while Sage and Rowan are cleaning up, and Oliver braces himself for another “don’t hurt her” speech.
Instead, Morgan surprises him.
“Thank you,” she says simply.
“For what?” Oliver asks, genuinely confused.
“For loving her the way she needs to be loved,” Morgan says. “I tried for months after her coven died, and I couldn’t get through. But you did. In three weeks, you managed what I couldn’t in years.”
“I don’t think it’s about managing anything,” Oliver says. “Sage needed time. And apparently I showed up at the right moment.”
“You showed up and stayed,” Morgan corrects. “Even when she tried to push you away. Even when it was dangerous. Even when she was at her most difficult. That’s not timing—that’s commitment.”
Oliver doesn’t know what to say to that, so he settles for honesty. “I love her. That’s not a choice at this point. It just… is.”
Morgan smiles, and it’s genuine. “I know. And she loves you. Which is why I can leave knowing she’s in good hands.”
The next morning, Morgan packs her rental car while Sage watches with the kind of complicated expression that suggests she’s processing a lot of emotions.
“Don’t be a stranger,” Sage says when Morgan is ready to leave. “You helped save my life. That means you’re stuck with me now.”
“I can live with that,” Morgan says, pulling Sage into a hug that lasts a few seconds longer than Oliver expects.
When they pull apart, Morgan turns to Oliver.
“Take care of her,” she says, and it’s not a threat this time, just a genuine request.
“I will,” Oliver promises.
“And Sage?” Morgan adds, looking back at the witch who’s trying very hard not to cry. “Let him. Let yourself be happy. You’ve earned it.”
Sage nods, not trusting her voice, and Morgan gets in her car and drives away, leaving Sage and Oliver standing on the sidewalk watching until she’s out of sight.
“I’m going to miss her,” Sage admits quietly.
“Yeah,” Oliver agrees. “But she’s right—you can call her anytime. This isn’t goodbye forever.”
“Just goodbye for now,” Sage says.
“Exactly,” Oliver confirms.
They go back inside, and Sage is quiet for the rest of the day, processing the closure of having Morgan visit and leave peacefully, having that chapter of her life acknowledged and completed without drama.
“It’s weird,” Sage says that evening, curled up on the couch with Oliver. “Having ex-girlfriend visit and it not being a disaster.”
“Is it?” Oliver asks. “Weird in a bad way?”
“Weird in a good way,” Sage clarifies. “Like… I have history with Morgan, and that’s okay. It doesn’t threaten what I have with you. It’s just… part of my story.”
“Your story that I get to be part of going forward,” Oliver says.
“If you want,” Sage offers, still giving him outs even though they both know he’s not taking them.
“I want,” Oliver confirms. “All of it. History, present, future. The whole complicated package.”
Through the bond, he feels Sage’s love and relief and hope, and Oliver knows they’re going to be okay.
Better than okay.
They’re going to be happy.
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