The narrator experiences a profound realization upon seeing a woman he didn’t expect to encounter again. This encounter uncovers emotions and thoughts that he had previously avoided facing. He reflects on how this pivotal moment might have shifted his perspective about their relationship.
He acknowledges that his readiness to confront these feelings emerged unexpectedly, suggesting that the fear of loss had transformed his outlook. The journey from believing she was gone to discovering she was alive acted as a catalyst for his emotional awakening.