Thin Line Between Love Hate

David.

A name who once caused butterflies in her belly felt like thorns struck into her heart.

The only sound in the room was the soft clink of cutlery.

David was late again. It wasn't his first time but today meant a lot to them, it seems it meant a lot to one than the other.

Her phone buzzed, and her heart jumped.

David: Caught up in something, don't wait for me.

That was it. No apology. No heart. No "Happy Anniversary."

It was their third wedding anniversary.

And she was alone again.

The lights above flickered with a warm glow, casting long shadows across the table set for two. Alina sat alone at the dinner table, fingers nervously smoothing the tip of her glass cup.

One plate untouched. One candle burning low, one heart breaking quietly.

The wine glass stood untouched.

The food had gone cold. And Alina sat at the edge of the dining table, still in the red dress he once said made her look like temptation.

The silence in the house was thick, like a fog that wouldn't lift. Her eyes stayed fixed on the front door, as though sheer willpower could summon David through it even while told not to wait for him, she couldn't help herself.

Each tick of the clock felt like a hot slap across her soul that she was willing to endure.

He'll come, she told herself. He always does...eventually.

But deep down, she already knew.

He wasn't coming.

Alina checked her phone for the fifth time in the last three minutes hoping to see any other message from him.

Her hand trembled as she picked up the phone again and texted:

"Happy Anniversary Love"

In hope it'd cause him to remember if he had forgotten it was their big day.

She waited... ten minutes passed. Then fifteen.

The screen lit up with a single message:

"Don't disturb me woman, l told you I'm busy"

The dam broke.

Tears spilled without warning, hot and angry, trailing over her carefully applied makeup like shame. She'd spent hours trying to be beautiful for him tonight, worn the dress he once said made him want to devour her, cooked the meal he used to beg for.

And still, she wasn't enough.

That night she thought she could save her husband's heart and have his child.

Tracking her cycle and learning it's on the same day as her big day made her heart flush.

But everything washed down as the rain that fell outside.

She curled her arms around herself at the head of the table, alone under the romantic chandelier.

Three years ago today, she had walked down an aisle believing she was stepping into forever.