By the time I got home, it was dark. My eyes
were swollen and puffy. I walked in like a
zombie. Ethan was sitting on the couch,
silent. He looked up at me, his expression a
mixture of guilt and apprehension.
“Sarah, I—”
He started to speak, but I didn’t let him. I
threw his phone at him. He saw the
messages. He understood.
“Sarah, I’m so sorry. I really hated her at first,” he mumbled, looking down. “But she
was so persistent… I got used to it.
Sometimes, when she didn’t message, it felt
like something was missing…”
I cut him off, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.
My voice was thick with tears. “Ethan, please
don’t tell me you’re about to give me some
sob story about your epic love. Just spare me
the details.”
I wiped away a stray tear. “You want to break
く
- up. Fine. I’ll make it easy for you.” I tried to
sound tough, but the tears kept coming, hot
and humiliating.
Ethan stood up, his face contorted in pain.
“I’m sorry, Sarah,” he whispered. “I’m so
sorry.”
“Just go,” I choked out.
His things were already packed. He’d come
back just to end things. He didn’t have much;
he left everything I’d bought him. He picked
up a small suitcase and walked out, the
closing door echoing the finality of it all.
I slid down the wall, collapsing onto the floor,
sobbing uncontrollably. The pain was
unbearable. For seven years, I’d never
doubted our future together. I’d pictured our
wedding, our kids, growing old together. I
thought he felt the same. But his heart had
already wandered. In this twisted love
triangle, I was the only loser.
Ashley was triumphant. Her ten–year pursuit
had finally paid off. She plastered pictures of
them all over social media. In one, they were
gazing into each other’s eyes, him handsome,
her… not. Yet, there was a strange harmony,
a shared look of adoration.
“Time will tell who the real one is,” she
captioned it.
Ashley started working at Ethan’s company.
They went to Disneyland, kissing in front of
the castle, cuddling in hotel rooms. He took
her wedding dress shopping. It was the same
store I’d picked out, the same dress l❜d loved.
Her social media became a public diary of
their delayed romance. I stared at it, numb,
then deleted and blocked them both. Seven
years… a dream. A nightmare.
The aftermath was worse than any breakup.
Seven years of shared life, ripped away. And
the fact that he’d chosen her… someone I
considered so beneath me… it fueled a deep
self–doubt. Had I overestimated myself? If I
was so much better, why did he choose her?
Everything reminded me of him. Movies we’d
watched, songs we’d listened to, the corner
flower shop where he’d bought me roses.
Every memory was a fresh wound. I went to
see a rom–com by myself, laughing
hysterically one minute, sobbing
uncontrollably the next. My heart ached with a
physical pain I couldn’t control. I just had to
L
wait for it to heal.
I saw Ethan again outside our office buildings, We’d chosen companies close to each other so we could commute together. Now, I
regretted it. I hurried down the steps, only to
see him opening the car door for Ashley.
She smirked when she saw me. “Sarah! We’re
getting married! We’ll send you an invitation.
You have to come!”
“Oh, and are you still single? Maybe I can set
you up with someone?”
I glared at her and kept walking. Ethan looked
uncomfortable. “Ashley, stop,” he muttered.
He avoided my gaze. “Sorry about that.”
“Sorry for what?” Ashlev snapped. “We’re
L
both single adults. People break up! You can’t
force feelings! Ethan, what are you
apologizing for?” Her voice rose, attracting
the attention of our coworkers.
Ethan’s face flushed. “Just drop it, okay?
We’re going to be late.” He practically
dragged her away.
She turned back to yell, “Don’t forget about
the wedding!”
I clenched my fists, then walked away.
A few days later, I got a call. Ethan’s
grandmother. I hesitated, then answered.
Ethan had introduced me to his family early
- on. They were good people, even if he wasn’t.
His grandma, Nana Rose, had adored me. She
showered me with gifts and treated me like
<
her own granddaughter. Every time I left,
she’d hold my hand, her eyes filled with
warmth. “Sarah, dear, you’re too thin. Eat
well, okay? A little padding is a good thing for
a girl!” She’d send me home with bags of
fresh eggs and homemade preserves,
clucking about how I needed to put on some
weight. “Don’t give any of this to Ethan. He’s
sturdy enough. You need it.”
She’d check the weather forecast for my city
and call to remind me to take an umbrella or
wear a warm coat. “There’s snow coming,
Sarah. I bought you a nice, thick down jacket.
I’ll have your aunt mail it to you.” “When are
you coming back to visit, dear? I’ve got a
lovely goose fattening up, just waiting for
you…
