Chapter 5
How long had it been since he’d shown this much concern for me? Three years? Five? Or even longer?
In my memories, we were once inseparable, understanding each other without words. Sometimes, just a glance was enough for him to know exactly what I was thinking or feeling.
Perhaps it was my complete dependence on him that made him so sure I would always choose him, that I could never walk away. That certainty gave him the freedom to hurt me and openly pursue another woman, completely forgetting that I too was human, capable of feeling pain and heartbreak.
I glanced at the flood of missed calls on my screen and blocked his number. As I was about to remove him from my social media, I noticed he had changed his profile picture.
The cartoon I had drawn for him eight years ago was gone, replaced by a photo that showed a side of him I’d never known existed.
It reminded me of something I’d once read: when a man who never changes his profile picture suddenly updates it, it usually means there’s a new woman in his life.
My hands trembled as I pressed the delete button, erasing a decade’s worth of messages and memories in an instant.
After sending a quick text to Aunt Marie assuring her I was safe, I turned off my phone and boarded the plane, refusing to look back.
The three–hour flight from Chicago to Boston felt neither long nor short – just enough time to reflect on the past ten years.
As the plane touched down, I wiped away any trace of tears. After making sure my face showed no signs of crying, I stepped out of the terminal.
From a distance, I spotted my parents waiting, their arms loaded with welcome–home gifts. My dad took my suitcase while my mom placed a small tiara on my head, tears glistening in
her eyes.
“Our baby girl has grown up so beautiful, even prettier than in your photos it’s now have you back home–don’t ever leave us again.” she said, her voice cracking with
emotion.
My dad watched me with loving eyes, every wrinkle on his face telling a story of years worry and care. “Don’t worry! I’ve found the perfect match for you this time
“It’s only a few blocks from our home. If anything makes you unhappy, just come back your mom and I will always support you!” he added.
I forced a smile, leaning into my mom’s embrace. During our ten years apart, my parents had often asked me to move back home, but I had always declined with various exCIAL
I’d thought about visiting during Christmas, but Nathan had insisted on taking me to spend New Year’s with his family, claiming it would help me get used to being part of their household.
I had foolishly believed it meant he was committed to our future together. So I agreed without hesitation. All my holidays for those ten years had been spent with the Blackwoods
Now, facing my aging parents, guilt washed over me. I nodded resolutely.
“Don’t worry, I’m not a kid anymore. I won’t run home at the first sign of trouble. Besid when I get married, it will be a fresh start – I trust Dad’s judgment”
Seeing me accept the arranged marriage, my parents visibly relaxed. “That’s good. We were worried about you and that guy… But let’s not talk about that anymore. Have you taken care of everything back in Chicago? If anything comes up, let your aunt handle it. You shouldn’t be running back and forth during your honeymoon period.”
The mention of Nathan made my heart skip a beat. “Yes, everything’s settled. Aunt Marie sends her love. She’ll join us for the wedding after wrapping up some things tonight.
As my parents led me to their car, my phone suddenly rang. I glanced at the unfamiliar number, but something about it felt eerily familiar. Answering the call, Nathan’s barely contained anger erupted through the speaker.
“You’ve got some nerve, Ellie! Who gave you the right to block my number? Where have you been? Where are you now?”
Chapter 5
“After what you did to Sophia, you just disappear without any explanation? You didn’t even clean up the mess from the party we arranged for you!” he roared.
“I expect you at the hospital in one hour to apologize to Sophia! Otherwise, you’ll see exactly
1
how angry I can get!” he threatened.
Before I could respond, I heard Sophia’s Before I could respond, I heard Sophia’s gentle voice in the background. “I’m okay, really.
It’s just a small cut. Don’t blame Ellie; it wasn’t her fault. I just wanted her to like the
decorations. This is all my
fault…
