Chapter 4
I leaned back in my seat on the plane, the gentle hum of the engines lulling me into a deep sleep. Maybe I was just too exhausted after everything. In my dreams, Daniel’s smiling face appeared, warm and familiar.
We had confirmed our relationship when we were just 20 years old. I could still recall the way he held my hand and reassured me that long–distance relationships could work. By 25, we had settled into our own house together, and I remembered how he smiled while stroking my belly, saying we were soon to be a family of three.
But ever since Helena returned to Chicago, everything changed. The world I once
thought I lemon folt quddonky unfamiliar Thr
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thought I knew felt suddenly unfamiliar. The person I had secretly loved since junior high, the one with whom I had shared countless unforgettable moments, was slipping away from me. Even now, as I resolved to let go, I couldn’t bring myself to check my phone for any messages from Daniel.
“Gianna! I’m here!” My best friend Nicole’s excited voice broke through my thoughts. She pushed her boyfriend’s hand aside and waved enthusiastically at me.
Since I had settled down with Daniel, I hadn’t returned home or seen Nicole in what felt like ages. When she threw herself into my arms, I felt tears prick at my eyes.
“Finally back!” she exclaimed.
We sat together surrounded by a spread of crayfish and beer, a scene that should have
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been filled with joy. But I could feel Nicole glancing at me sideways, concern etched on her face.
“Gianna, Daniel’s phone call came through to my phone,” she said quietly.
A pang shot through me, but I knew what I had to do. I took her phone and quickly blacklisted Daniel’s number, resolute in my decision to move forward without him.
I figured Daniel was calling at this hour to remind me not to return and disturb his time with Helena. But I was caught off guard when he showed up at my door the very next day.
“What are you breaking up for? You don’t even want a wedding!” he demanded, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.
“Have I spoiled you too much in the past,
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turning you into this willful version of yourself?” He glanced around my room with a sneer. “You‘ re still the same, running away whenever trouble comes knocking.”
I silently took in the red mark on Daniel’s neck, the evidence of his time with Helena. Surprisingly, I felt nothing. It baffled me that he still sought me out. Wasn’t my departure what he had wanted all along?
Noticing my lack of reaction, Daniel grew anxious and grabbed my arm, trying to pull me downstairs. I struggled against his grip, feeling a surge of anger. In a moment of frustration, I slapped him hard.
“I’ve said enough! I can’t believe you think you can just waltz back in here and ask me to be your bride again!” I shouted, my voice echoing in the silence.
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“What else do you have to say? If you have more to unload, spill it all at once. And don’t call me again!”
Daniel looked at me, his expression a mix of disbelief and hurt.
In the past eight years, I couldn’t even bring myself to scold Daniel, let alone slap him. But that was all built on love, and now I just wanted peace and quiet. I shook off his hand and slowly walked downstairs, heading toward my meeting with Nicole.
“Did you put on perfume? Who are you going to see?” Daniel called out, rushing behind me, desperation lacing his voice as he tried to catch up.
I used to adore perfume, but every time I
wore it, Daniel would look at me with disdain,
as if to sav
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“Vou really think you‘ 11 small as
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as if to say, “You really think you’ll smell as good as Helena?” That harsh remark-
“Don’t dream” -echoed in my mind, haunting me even now as I spritzed it on again.
As I reached the parking lot, Nicole hopped out of the car and immediately spotted Daniel tailing me.
“What are you doing here?” She shot at him, her glare fierce enough to make him take a step back, ready to roll up her sleeves and confront him.
I quickly intervened to calm her down, then turned back to Daniel. “I was foolish to
complain before. But don‘ t worry, I don’t love you anymore, and I promise I won’t show up at your wedding.”
Chantor 5
