r in his driveway finally started at 10pm. My heart raced, a mix of anxiety and anticipation

gh the door, and I was ready

e asked with normal intonation

e storm that was brewing in my soul. "I

ething important," he said, his expre

efrain in echoes chanted again in

y hands shake as I unfolded it. As I un

rmured, looking him in

handle this relationship anymore. As you fucking know, I do not love yo

, I saw him and gasped at him in utter disbelief.

ease me out of this relationship. He tossed a checkbook at me, h

I know I hurt you... but I love someone else." His thoughts lingered in the air, a painful reminder of h

with fury. "You think you can just walk awa

sive. "What do you want me to say, Lily?

er features. "You've chosen her over everything

frustration evident in his voice. "I never loved yo

, that's it? You're just going to throw away everyth

erstand! I've been trying to be honest. I can't keep

ection cutting deep. "You think you can just erase me? Erase

een us," Ethan replied, his voice rising. "It's about being true

ith sarcasm. "You think you can just walk away

being honest. Stop being overdramatic! You are the one who is always selfish. You tricked my p

Is that what you really think of me? I never forced you i

. "You've manipulated everyone, including me! You've always wanted to be

the small room. "I'm standing up for myself! You're the one who

sign the papers, at least I am paying you fo

*

Y'S

e was crumbling beneath her. Ethan's words echoed in her mind, sharp and cutting, as she signed the papers that would end the

iliar bench, its wood damp beneath her, and buried her face in her hands. The rain mixed with h

the raindrops. Her parents were gone, and now the one person she thought she could count on

ed a hand on her belly, feeling a flicker of life beneath her palm. "I will live for you

anyone else, she told herself. But the truth was, the ache of isolation was almost unbearable. In t

tion. Finally, Mia picked up, her voice a lif

, her voice breaking. "I need y

ia asked, concern

lied, glancing around as if expecting so

her voice steady and reassu

*

AN'

e shower, I needed to find some idea of a routine, so I shuffled to my laundry closet for some clothes. T

o pick it up, to my surpris

child? My breath quickened as panic set in. I had just divorced her, and now this. If this got out that m

fore the divorce, things would have been so different. But the truth

ld the truth, and more crucially, this baby needs to never be born. I have t

rsed through me. I would make sure that this

*