Chapter 3

3 But a few days later, Daniel and I ran into one of Ethan’s college friends at a restaurant. He rushed over, "Dude, why didn't you call when you got back―?" He stopped dead, staring at Daniel in shock. Daniel looked a lot like Ethan, except for the scar on his forehead and the fact that he carried himself with a quiet strength, not Ethan's careless swagger.

Ethan’s friend looked back and forth between Daniel and me. "Avery, is this―?" He seemed to struggle for words. "Did you cheat on Ethan?"

I shook my head. “We broke up.”

He looked even more surprised. "Ethan said you were still waiting for―"

I cut him off. “This is my fiance. We're getting married soon.”

He was stunned. He stared at our clasped hands, then turned and hurried away, muttering into his phone. I started to explain to Daniel, but he just laughed. “It’s in the past. Why bother talking about it?” He brushed my hair back from my face. "I can’t expect you to wait ten years just because I was gone for ten years.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion. For the first three years after Daniel disappeared, I clutched my phone, waiting for news. It never left my side, 24/7. Every unknown number made my heart leap. The first year, I hoped for a call telling me he was injured, but coming home. The second year, I just prayed he was alive. By the third, I was terrified of every phone call, but I had to answer.

When Ethan appeared, I was officially diagnosed with severe anxiety and panic disorder. His face was the only thing that kept me going. Being his backup plan wasn't easy, but I couldn’t stay away from that face. I needed it to survive.

Did I love Ethan? I didn't know. But I was grateful to him, so grateful that even when everyone mocked me for being his second choice, I didn't care. For six years, in my eyes, he was a good person, someone who saved me.

I thought I’d left a good impression on him, that he’d at least remember me as being understanding. I never expected him to call me a liar, his voice laced with bitterness and betrayal.