The Thousand-Day Streak of Lies

Cher

one with hospitals, done with waiting. Done with him. I dressed quic

laptop. He' d closed it, but the recent activity log was damning. A new chat window was open, a frantic exchange between him and Kallie. Her mes

at she was, I thought, a flicker of something close

e hadn' t slept. He spotted me immediately, standing by the laptop. His eyes darted

d, his voice flat. "Di

Kallie gave you an ultimatum? Or that you're about to pro

yes pleaded for understanding, but I saw no r

kneel. He didn't even look at me. He just opened it, revealing a diamond ring that gleamed mo

ext month?" I echoed. "And what, after that, we'll start trying for a baby? Is that t

t's time. My parents are asking. We're not getting any youn

ists. "Time? Parents? Is that why you want to marry me, Griffith? Because it's 'time'? Where's

e time for grand gestures, Cayla. You know how busy I am

membered the expensive gifts he' d bought her, the late-night drives to pick her up, the care

on the table next to the ring. "This is a down payment for the new apartment. And this is for your wedding dress, yo

ke a stranger. This wasn't the man I loved. This wasn't the man I'd spent ten yea

signs to me, his eyes alight with passion. I thought about the first time he told me he l

lected, unappreciated? Was this all my fault? I searched desperately for a reason, a justification

voice dangerously soft.

ouded. "Of course, Cayla. You're... you're my life." The words were rehearsed, devo

n't love me. And it hurts, Griffith. It hurts more than anything." Tears

patience wearing thin. "You're always so emo

ove on?! You think this is moving on?! You think I'

ng. "I'm not marrying you, Gri