Chapter 5
Dragging my tired body home, I took a long look around the place I’d called home for seven
years.
very corner held memories of me and Nathan – once beautiful, now cutting into my heart like shards of glass.
I found a cardboard box and spent the sleepless night erasing those remnants of happiness.
The matching slippers with our “puppy love” design. The couple mugs that fit together perfectly. The paired keychains that beeped when we were within thirty feet of each other. A whole box of photos and portraits once the only proof of our relationship during my
–
moments of doubt.
None of it mattered anymore.
Nathan didn’t come home for two weeks. During that time, between finishing my design projects, I cleared out nearly everything. I even got rid of the furniture I’d picked out, leaving the place exactly as it was when I moved in black and white, so minimalist you could see the whole space in one glance.
The night before I left, I thought I should at least say something to Nathan, so I called him. Each time I dialed, he rejected the call. Finally, he sent a text:
“Unless you’re ready to admit what you did and sincerely apologize to Sophie, we have nothing to discuss.”
I smiled bitterly. Fine. We won’t discuss anything.
Early the next morning, I wheeled my suitcase out for my flight.
As I left what was once my warm, cherished home, all I felt was relief.
Just before boarding, my phone lit up with birthday messages. Some wished me success,
some happiness, others a blessed marriage with someone wonderful.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Dragging my tired body home, I took a long look around the place I’d called home for seven
years.
very corner held memories of me and Nathan – once beautiful, now cutting into my heart like shards of glass.
I found a cardboard box and spent the sleepless night erasing those remnants of happiness.
The matching slippers with our “puppy love” design. The couple mugs that fit together perfectly. The paired keychains that beeped when we were within thirty feet of each other. A whole box of photos and portraits – once the only proof of our relationship during my
moments of doubt.
None of it mattered anymore.
Nathan didn’t come home for two weeks. During that time, between finishing my design projects, I cleared out nearly everything. I even got rid of the furniture I’d picked out, leaving the place exactly as it was when I moved in black and white, so minimalist you
could see the whole space in one glance.
The night before I left, I thought I should at least say something to Nathan, so I called him. Each time I dialed, he rejected the call. Finally
he sent a text:
“Unless you’re ready to admit what you did and sincerely apologize to Sophie, we have.
nothing to discuss.”
I smiled bitterly. Fine. We won’t discuss anything.
Early the next morning, I wheeled my suitcase out for my flight.
As I left what was once my warm, cherished home, all I felt was relief.
Just before boarding, my phone lit up with birthday messages. Some wished me success, some happiness, others a blessed marriage with someone wonderful.
Marrying Without My Eight Year Boyfriend Knowing
After replying to each one, I turned off my phone.
As the plane took off, I told myself: I will be happy. With so many people wishing me well, how could I not be?
The plane headed westward, and the bright sun and endless blue sky lifted my spirits. I watched the clouds roll by as warm light painted the horizon in shades of gold.
Inspiration struck suddenly, and I quickly sketched the scene on my tablet.
By the time I finished the drawing, night had fallen outside the window.
It felt surreal–like traveling through time. We’d taken off on the morning of the 27th but would land on the night of the 26th.
With this strange excitement bubbling up, I walked out of the terminal and spotted my family right away Mom, Dad, and Mark standing in a row, smiling and waving.
I grabbed my suitcase and ran to them, throwing myself into my mother’s arms, soaking in the warmth I’d missed for so long.
Eight years ago, against their advice, I’d insisted on going to art school in New York. For love. They’d reluctantly let me go.
Who knew I’d stay away for eight years, only returning briefly each Christmas, leaving them to count the days between visits?
I’d been so selfish.
As tears threatened to fall, I quickly pulled away from my mother.
“Mom, I’m starving.”
She smiled, gently touching my face, her love evident in her eyes. “Let’s go home. I’ll make your favorite pasta carbonara.”
“Perfect.”
I walked out arm–in–arm with my parents, laughing and catching up.
Marrying Without My Eight Year Boyfriend Knowing
Chapter 5
Meanwhile, at his apartment, Nathan sat on the floor, desperately dialing my number over
and over.
To avoid forgetting my birthday, he always set a reminder on his phone. That morning, the alert had woken him up in Sophie’s guest room. Out of habit, he’d gotten up planning to buy groceries for a celebration. He’d even bought a custom bracelet as a gift.
But when he saw Sophie in the living room, he hesitated. After all, I still hadn’t apologized. He couldn’t understand why I, usually so compliant, had become so stubborn this time.
Feeling uneasy all morning at Sophie’s without hearing from me, he finally decided to check on me at home. But when he opened the familiar door, the sight made him wonder if he’d walked into the wrong apartment. He stepped back out to check the number, only to find the same stark, black–and–white space from seven years ago.
