The Unexpected Proposal

One: The

ill uneven from the conversation with Vanessa just a few minutes earlier. We had been talking about my future plans-Valenti

r of our shared apartment, all of

e hardwood floor as I stepped further inside. It was too quiet-something wasn't right. I expected to hear the faint sound of Alex's v

an intimate kiss, their bodies pressed so tightly together it was impossible to deny the depth of their connection. My w

nightmare I couldn't wake up from. My mind refused to wrap itself around the reality of what I was seeing. My gaze flicke

ugh the answer was right in front of me. My heart twisted, painfully, at

lt-but there was no escaping the truth now. He opened his mouth to say something, bu

I could already feel the answer in every inch of my being. I knew. The doubt, the gut-wrenching

would make a difference. It was the truth, and nothing would alter t

. His hand hovered in the air, as if he was uncertain whether I'd even let him touch me again. The pity in

't mean for this to happen?" I mocked, my voice trembling with disbelief and ang

nger. The sight of him was unbearable to me, the sight of him with her. Without another word, I turned away, my chest aching with every step as I rushed o

le to carry me through the weight of the pain that consumed me. I didn't know wher

I needed air. I n

against each other, their kisses imprinting on my brain. The world wa

you al

ith severe features, his eyes were studious, their intensity muted, but studying nonetheless. He was a stranger, somebody that

had dawned on him about me that no one else saw. He c

whisper. Even to my ears, the

mine, unreadable, but there was a concern there

ng was now an albatross around my neck. The cold metal remind

the anger, the confusion-it all built u

the consequences, the words tumbled o

arr

-just something like amusement, tempered with a hint of curiosity. He didn't

he asked, his voi

need to forget," I whispered, my voice cracking as the tears

ef moment, sending a surge of warmth through me. Then, without a second thought, he pushe

d make a choice. The choice to run away from it,

that, life had