Chapter 2

2

The night air was cool against my skin. I looked up at the crescent moon, feeling a chilling loneliness. I'd canceled an important meeting for this reunion, dressed up in a new suit, hoping Sarah wanted to introduce me to her friends, maybe even rekindle things between us. Instead, she'd paraded her first love around, rubbing it in my face.

I found myself walking towards the lake, our lake. We’d met here, years ago, both heartbroken and on the verge of giving up. I’d saved her, and she’d saved me. We'd supported each other through tough times, working part-time jobs, sharing dreams. She was unlike anyone I'd ever met, a resilient wildflower blooming in the harshest conditions. I fell in love with her strength, her optimism.

We'd struggled together, saved up, and finally got married a year ago. I’d vowed to cherish her forever. And then, the day after our wedding, her real parents had shown up. Millionaires. My life had changed overnight, everyone congratulating me on my "luck."

Three months ago, David had slithered back into Sarah's life. That was when everything started to unravel. Sarah started disappearing, making excuses. "My parents are sick," she'd say, or "My friend needs me," or "I have a client meeting." When I’d asked her if she still had feelings for David, she accused me of not trusting her.

Trust. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. She'd eroded my trust bit by bit.

My phone buzzed. A single text from Sarah, sent right after I left the restaurant: "Apologize."

I sat on the park bench by the lake, exhausted. I remembered the night I’d gotten a stomach ulcer from drinking too much at a business dinner because Sarah hadn't shown up. She’d told me she was taking care of a sick friend. That same night, David had sent me a video of Sarah lovingly peeling shrimp for him. They were laughing, happy. While I was throwing up blood, she was having a romantic dinner with her ex.