After wandering the streets aimlessly, I ended up at my old apartment.
It was the one my parents bought for me before I got married,
Nathan had tried so hard to convince me to sell it.
I still remember his solemn promise:
“Claire, I’ll never give you a reason to live here alone. I won’t break your heart.”
Now I could only be grateful I never listened to him.
At least I had somewhere–anywhere–to go.
I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted, mind blank, scrolling aimlessly through my phone.
And then I saw her post.
Delilah Moore’s post.
In the video, Nathan was grinning, a wine glass between his teeth, as he leaned in and poured the drink directly into her mouth.
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Around them were all the same men
It me, call me “Mrs. Sterling,”
pretend I mattered.
Now they laughed, egging Delilah on, calling her “Mrs. Sterling” like it was already a done deal.
Turns out, the only one left in the dark… was me.
I was just about to shut off my phone when a video call request popped up–from Delilah Moore.
I fumbled to decline it, but my thumb slipped–and the call connected.
Her face filled the screen.
Flushed cheeks, glittering eyes.
She was drunk, no doubt, but glowing with happiness.
“Claire!” she beamed. “Ever since that day at the gallery, I’ve felt like we’re so connected!”
She giggled, spinning the camera slightly to show the man next to her–though I didn’t need to see
to know who it was.
“He just proposed to me! He said I’m the only one he’ll ever love. But I don’t buy it. I think men are all two–faced liars!”
“I want you to be my witness, Claire. If he ever hurts me, I’ll tell him I’m not alone. I’ve got you
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She held up her hand dramatically. A massive diamond sparkled in front of the lens.
I could tell she was waiting–waiting for me to say it.
I’ve got your back.
But the words lodged in my throat like barbed wire.
Before I could force out a response, Nathan grabbed the phone from her.
Panicked, I switched off my camera, leaving only my voice.
He was clearly drunk, giddy, more excited than I’d ever seen him.
He pulled Delilah close until she nearly lost in his arms.
At nearly thirty, he looked like a teenage boy discovering love for the first time.
Together, they shouted into the phone: “Don’t worry–we’re going to be so happy! I’ll never let Delilah get hurt, not even a little bit! I swear on my life!”
Tears welled in my eyes and spilled over.
I didn’t stop them.
Three years ago, he had stood before my parents and said almost the exact same words.
The same conviction.
The same smile.
Just… a different woman.
I pressed my hand over my mouth to muffle my voice and swallowed back the sob building in my
throat.
“I’m happy for you,” I said hoarsely.
“Take care of her, okay? And when the wedding comes, don’t forget to send me an invite. I’ll make sure to bring a generous gift.”
Delilah squealed with joy.
Even through the screen, I could picture her grinning ear to ear.
“You hear that, Nathan? I told you I’m not alone! I got my backup!”
And you don’t get mad over stupid things. Always answer my calls. And if I need something, you’d better be there in three seconds flat!”
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I ended the call.
My hands were shaking.
My whole body trembled.
It took minutes–maybe hours before I could breathe normally again.
But the pain didn’t go away.
It just kept rising, wave after wave, until it choked me.
I found myself dialing an international number.
It was two in the morning where they were.
But I needed them.
When the call connected, I couldn’t even speak.
“Claire?” my mom’s voice came through, groggy and worried. “What’s wrong? Why are you calling
so late?”
Three years ago, I had screamed at my parents because they didn’t approve of Nathan
I’d graduated from a top university, with a future full of possibilities.
He, at the time, was just a boy from nowhere, scraping his way through life.
Everyone–my parents, my friends–told me we didn’t belong together.
But I didn’t listen.
Because I was hypnotized by the tenderness in his eyes.
I thought that was enough.
I thought love could conquer anything.
What a cruel joke.
My chest heaved. My voice cracked.
And then I broke.
doesn’t love me anymore,” I sobbed.
There was a long pause on the other end.
So long it felt like the world stopped spinning.
And then, with steady, unshakable clarity, my parents said: “Come home, sweetheart.
you are, whatever you’ve been through, you always have a place with us.
They booked me a flight that night.
Nathan Sterling, I don’t want you anymore.
