Chapter 6
The images showed her and Derick in a passionate embrace, eyes locked, both half–dressed. Just last night, Becky had sent me these photos–intended for her best friend but “accidentally” sent to me instead. She wanted to keep me up all night, but instead, I took screenshots, saved the evidence, and had the best sleep I’d had in years.
With each damning image, the venue fell into dead silence.
Derick’s once–arrogant confidence crumbled as he stammered, trying to explain. “Penny, it’s not what you think. I… I thought of you when I was with Becky. There was nothing between us…‘
I raised my hand and slapped him, the sharp sound echoing like a final payment on the four years I wasted on him.
“Derick, no one would buy that excuse. If
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you‘ re any sort of man, you wouldn’t be playing with women’s hearts.”
Becky, now looking smug, tried to cling to him, but he pushed her away. Chaos erupted as reporters appeared out of nowhere, hungry for the scandal. I turned and walked out of the farce. When I
slammed the door to the hall behind me, I could hear Derick‘ s distant shouting, but I didn’t look back.
As I got into the car, the headline of the scandalous wedding trended online, with people sympathizing with me, the jilted bride. I worried my parents would see it, but Derick’s family quickly paid to have it taken down.
When I arrived at the train station, I saw my parents waiting for me, waving with excitement. My eyes welled up as I ran into their warm embrace. Despite me telling them countless times not to come, they showed up anyway. In that moment, I understood what true love really meant.
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They had thought of me, more than I ever asked for. They made the effort for me, just because they cared.
As we drove through the familiar streets of our small town, a wave of peace washed over me. There were no skyscrapers or crowded intersections–just the quiet hum of daily life. It felt so simple, so unhurried, and I could finally breathe easy. It was a reminder of the tranquility that this place offered, a stark contrast to the noise I had in big city.
Derick once sneered, asking what was so great about small towns. But here, amid the quiet streets and smoky kitchens, I found solace.
When I got home, the dining table was already filled with all my favorite dishes. I spotted the Limburger cheese, my favorite, which I hadn’t touched in years. I’d grown up with that cheese but gave it up for Derick, who hated strong–smelling foods. I thought it was something I had to
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0400
(
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sacrifice for love. Yet, as I later scrolled through Becky’s social media, I saw him hunched beside her, eating Limburger cheese without a care. It wasn’t about the
smell; it was about who he’d eat it with.
After cleaning up my plate, I let out a satisfied burp. My dad laughed, teasing me about never growing up. But then his voice softened. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could stay like this forever? You, carefree and happy about life. If only we could turn back time, I’d do anything to watch you grow up again. I’d keep my eyes on you 24/7, because you’d end up in a tree or on someone’s roof–but those are my favorite
memories of you. You deserve someone who’ll stay with you, protect you, and love you unconditionally. I’m happy to be your dad, Penny Ortega.
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My cheeks flushed as I turned away to wipe my tears. Only when my mother called my father for help did I dare to look again
In just a few days apart, my father‘ s
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cheeks seemed hollow. I‘ d consulted a
doctor before, who had gently informed me that pancreatic cancer, at its late stage, wouldn’t benefit much from
chemotherapy. He advised that instead of suffering through treatments, my father should spend his remaining days completing whatever regrets he had.
A wedding photo, a wedding, and a promise of protection–all were fulfilled. There was only one thing left: taking them to see the ocean.
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