His Regret, My Forgotten Ten Years

our old college campus to dig up the time capsule we bur

The voice on the other end was bright, hopef

Jordan? Are we ha

e brutal truth. "We'

told her how, in the car crash that cost us our baby, his

th to feel. The final humiliation came when he forced me to apo

nd again, destroying

y said, her voice firm through the phone

uld erase my entire life with

pte

ey

n Clark's signature, a bold, confident flourish that once thrilled me. Now, it just felt like a pronouncement of death. My decision was final. I watched the earl

e memories that choked me. I drove towards our old college campus, a place brimming with ghosts of a happier past. The old oak tree stood tall, its branches

on our silver anniversary. I remembered the warmth of his hand in mine, the eager light in his eyes. He talked about our future, our children,

, tarnished metal box emerged, cold and heavy. I brushed off the dirt, my fing

ed love letters, written in Jordan's confident hand, spoke of devotion and an unwavering future. I pulled out a

s in our freshman year. We spent hours on them, texting silly messages, planning our days, sharing secrets. It w

throw it away, toss it into the river, sever all ties to the pa

n the screen flickered to life, displaying an incoming call. The number was unknown. My breath c

own, answering the c

t and full of youthful energy, filled my ear. I

I managed, my

worked! Jordan said it would!" Young Casey shrieked with excit

is mint chocolate chip," I sai

This is amazing! I can't believe it! We're talking to ourselves!" Her voice bubbled with

kles white. How could I tell her? How could I shatter

crying? Oh no, did something bad happen?" Yo

truth pushed its way

ced," I said, the wo

end. Young Casey's joyful chatter

audible. "That's not true. You're lyin

voice steady despite the t

pleaded, her voice cra

my chance. "Tomorrow, after the college entrance exam, Jordan will propose to you

fragile whisper, a flicke

you got for architecture school in London? Accept it. Go to London. Please, just don't say yes

de of pain. But if there was even the smallest chance that somewhere, s