LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

her contact. For weeks, I told myself I'd find a way to reach her, but life just kept g

times, and then I hea

de me feel safe, but now, hearing her after so long, it m

? It's

ke? Why hasn't your number been going through? I've been trying to reach you for

e words I had prepared suddenly felt useless, stuc

me," I said, feeling small. "I just got a new one, and whe

ke! You disappeared for four months, and now

r than I expected. I didn't know what to say. No excuse

voice in the background. "Hey, babe, what are your plans fo

pointment, and the sting of betrayal. Has A

who i

, shar

stomach churning, my mind spinning. It felt like everything had just fallen apart. After

d so rude earlier? Has

my mind, and the doubts kept eating at me. For the

t I couldn't bring myself to answer. I was consumed by the image

in. This time, I opened the m

on? Let me explain. It's no

erwhelming. That voice-his voice-had sounded

of the hotel reminded me of her-how we had planned our future, how she ha

hen I noticed movement outside from the camera. Glancing up, I saw Anita talking to the

d when she saw me, she froze. For a brief moment, we just stared at eac

ps slow but steady, as if gat

out, walking towa

ief. She was the last person I expected to s

g here?" I asked, my voic

om what seemed like running. "I came to talk. You've b

boiling over. "Why should I listen t

u think. That was Ryan, a friend from my study group. We were working

expect me to believe that? Why didn't you call

id call you back! Over and over! You just didn't ans

ough in the past few months

ieve in us, but the doubt wouldn't let go. That voice

ng the truth, Anita?" I ask

e, you know me. You know I would never hurt you like that.

years ago-the girl who promised to stand by me through thick and thin. But th

ecurities and emotions to get

n us now. You should trust me by now. And do you even know what I ha

was stolen," I said, my voi

continued, "And I'm sorry for letting my insecuri

15th!" Her excitement lit up her face, and I could feel the joy radiating between us. We ta

right up to the receptionist stand. He glanced at Anita,

ted to shake a little. I swallowed ha