My stomach was killing me, but my very own fiancé? Oh, he actually just shoved me right out of his car!
Just 'cause my stomach cramps "interrupted" his sweet little talk with his childhood friend?!
I literally begged him to let me stay! But nope, he couldn't have cared less. That jerk just rolled up his car's window all slow, actually hissing, "Now, shut up!"
I ended up in the hospital with a stomach ulcer. I called him—over 10 times! And he just rejected every single call!
But when I glanced down the hall, turned out, he was just there—my oh-so-caring fiancé, protectively helping his pregnant childhood friend!
"Easy there, Josie, alright? We don't want you falling and hurting your little one..."
Once I recovered and was finally discharged, I headed to the Twilight Summit and stayed there for a week. Just me.
After 10 days of no word from Peter, that jerk started blowing up my phone out of nowhere like he'd lost his mind.
[Dammit, Hailey! Why the hell haven't you been checking up on me lately, huh?!]
——
By the time I picked up his call, I noticed it was nearly the 40th—just after I got back from my trip.
"Well, finally! Where the hell are you? GPS says you're not home!"
And then came the questions, one after another.
I just let him blabber on and on, keeping my cool while walking out of the airport.
When he came to pick me up, he just grabbed my suitcase without saying a thing at first. But that sarcasm on his face just wouldn't shut up.
"Honestly, I thought you were gonna pull a runaway bride. But here you are, dragging your ass back to me after just a few days, huh?"
"Well, look, the wedding's coming up soon, and I've got a lot of things to deal with. So, don't expect me to give a damn about your drama, got it? Just chill out, and don't even think of running off."
Then, he casually pulled out a stick of cigarette right next to me and lit it up in the car.
I quickly wrinkled my nose and turned away, rolling the window down.
As the breeze rushed in, I took a deep breath to steady my voice.
"Let's drop by the wedding design company."
If I remember correctly, the damn invites should be ready by now.
Peter sneered before stomping on the gas and speeding over to the company.
Once we arrived, he wouldn't even come inside—just leaned against the door, smoking, and scrolling through his phone like a flirt.
Soon, the wedding coordinator brought out the wedding invites.
"Miss Chavez, your wedding invitations are all set!"
My fiancé glanced over, his eyes landing on the bright red cards.
"Bloody hell! That's an eyesore!"
"Who the hell would even take that crap? Damn, you really can't be creative, can you?"
I didn't bother arguing. I simply counted the invites and pulled out my phone to scan the QR code and pay.
Just as I was about to say something, his phone rang.
Without a second thought, he picked it up, and this exaggerated sweet voice came through.
"Peter! Ugh, I've got to go to my check-up again. Oh gosh, it's just so lonely to do this all by myself. Bet my sweet childhood friend can come to keep me company, though?"
Just like that, Peter pulled out his car keys right after he hung up. All for that bitch, my soon-to-be-husband just left me there with one cold line.
"You got this. I gotta go now."
Yeah, he didn't even bother asking me. Just informed me like that.
Like a total jerk, he just assumed I'd be cool handling everything for our wedding.
Without even looking back at me, he just drove away.
Oh well, I just turned to the wedding coordinator.
"I already paid for these invites. Just throw everything away. And oh, please cancel everything else too."
She blinked, looking a little hesitant.
"I... I'm sorry. We're halfway done with the design, Miss Chavez. We don't do refunds, so if you cancel now..."
"Yeah, just keep the payment. I really don't mind."
I was halfway out of the wedding design company when it hit me—oh crap, the wedding dress! Right, I should cancel that too!
Once I took care of everything, I headed to a diner and ordered my go-to bowl of mac and cheese. While I waited, I started editing an Instagram Story.
I snapped lots of gorgeous pics up in the mountains, all memories worth sharing.
Then I put together a nine-picture grid and added a quick caption: [Just how I wanted it.]
It quickly blew up with likes, including one from Josie Barron.
Not long after, I got a notification. Of course, that bitch had to post, too.
It was a candid shot of a guy's side view. Definitely my supposed-to-be-groom.
The nerve of this girl to caption it: [This guy promised I'll never feel alone. Thanks to my sweet childhood friend for coming to my check-up again!]
Her friends chimed in, leaving stupid comments like [Aw, forever and always!]
I casually liked her shameless post, put my phone down, and got back to savoring my mac and cheese.
But then, just a few minutes later, my phone started buzzing.
Oh wow, the douchebag's calling.
Chapter 2I just let his call go to voicemail. But of course, he just wouldn't quit, so I eventually had to pick up the phone.
"Hailey! Did you really go to Twilight Summit without me?"
Peter's voice was low, but I could hear he was pissed off.
"Didn't we agree we'd go together after the wedding?"
"Listen, you're a woman. How could you just go that far by yourself? What if something happened to you there?"
The background noise was a circus, with nurses calling out patients' names left and right.
Guess he's at the hospital again.
I just shrugged it off, replying, "There wasn't. I just wanted to go."
Hearing him act like the concerned fiancé just almost made me laugh.
We've been together for eight years, and every year, I've brought up going to Twilight Summit.
It was my mom's last wish, after all.
But every single time, Peter had a new excuse to shut me down.
"Babe, I'm caught up with work right now. I'll take you when I can."
"Something came up at home. Let's just go next year."
"I'm just too busy!"
Last year, I brought it up again.
But he didn't even bother with excuses anymore. He just flat-out refused, not even hiding his annoyance.
Honestly, I was so done with this endless waiting.
"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
Before Peter could respond, I hit that red button and felt a wave of relief.
Later that night, I was in my study, totally focused on my laptop.
Then, out of nowhere, Peter chucked a piece of cloth at my face.
"Look, babe, can you clean up your mess? You're leaving your dirty clothes all over the place!"
Damn, the sharp embellishment hit me hard enough to scratch my face. It hurt like hell!
"I found that under the couch. Seriously, just get your stuff organized, alright? Don't let it happen again."
Looking down, I realized it was a revealing, low-cut nightgown. My voice came out cold.
"That's not mine."
Peter's expression shifted, and he seemed to realize something, his face uneasy.
He bent down to grab it off the floor and hid it behind his back.
"Oh, this must be Josie's from when she stayed over last time. I'll make sure to get it back to her."
I didn't bother saying a damn thing. Just went back to focusing on my laptop.
But Peter looked all guilty, pulling out an old band-aid from the first-aid kit.
He sat down next to me all cautiously.
"Look, babe, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thrown that stuff at you. I didn't see that sharp thing…"
God, that Band-Aid smelled like shit!
I just turned away, saying, "It's nothing."
Then I took my laptop and headed to the bedroom.
Peter stood there for a while. I could feel his eyes staring at me as I walked off.
He was like that for a long while.
"Hailey, why haven't you checked up on me lately?"
"Honestly… I feel like something's off with you. Are you avoiding me?"
Peter walked in, fresh from the shower.
He raised his hand and wiped his damp hair with a towel, acting like he was all nonchalant but clearly annoyed.
I stopped what I was typing for a sec.
Oh, looking back, I realized that for the past eight years, we used to chat almost every day.
Even when busy, we'd find time to stay connected.
He practically became part of my daily life.
But then he'd get all defensive, saying I was just "checking up" on him.
Now, I look back at our chat history, and there's nothing there—not a word in half a month.
Guess this whole "space" thing was what he wanted. Now he's acting like it's a problem?
I just gave a small smile.
"Nah, Peter, you're overthinking it. I’ve just been busy lately—I don’t want to keep bothering you."
"Get some rest."
With that, I shut my laptop, grabbed my pillow, and headed to the study.
Crazy to think, even after eight years together, we've been living like strangers for the past six months.
I mean, I can't stand the smell of smoke, and for a while, Peter quit for me—three solid years.
But then Josie came back, and all that effort went up in smoke.
Josie is his childhood friend, the one who's always had a special place in his heart.
They're close enough that they don't think twice about sharing a bed like it's no big deal—just 'cause they've done it since they were kids.
And there I was, sick and needing him… but one call from Josie, and he'd be out the door, no hesitation at all.
At first? Damn, I was jealous, bitter as hell.
I used to feel insecure about my fiancé being so inseparable from his old friend.
Now? Couldn't care less. Even if, say, Josie's off having my fiancé's kid, it doesn't bother me.
I've already made up my mind—I'm leaving.
As I was walking away, Peter suddenly shouted.
"Babe!"
He called out to stop me.
"Well, I just brushed my teeth. Got rid of the cigarette smell. How about we… sleep together?"
I didn't turn around.
And Peter desperately got up and hugged me from behind.
"Babe, we're getting married in two weeks. Isn't this what you wanted? A home?"
A home?
Those words hit so deep that my eyes got welled up.
Yeah, I'd wanted that, dreamed about it for eight years.
Ever since my mom passed away so early, I’d craved security and a place to belong. I’d hoped to build that with Peter.
But then I realized his life was always going to be a mess.
He'll never really let go of Josie.
If this is how it's gonna be forever? Then I'd rather be homeless.
I took a shaky breath, pushing his hands away.
"Let's just talk about it later."
With that, I left the bedroom and quietly closed the door behind me.
Chapter 3Last night, I stayed up late writing my resignation letter, and I handed it in first thing this morning. My boss called me into his office to talk.
He's been really good to me over the years and has helped me get promoted.
When he found out I was leaving, he looked confused.
"Hailey, is something going on? Why do you need to resign?"
I just smiled and explained, "Well, I just want to try living in a new city."
He got the hint and didn't pry any further, quickly signing off on my resignation.
My colleagues, who I'm pretty close with, were sad to see me go. They wanted to take me out for dinner after work, but it was raining by the time we reached the company lobby, though I hadn’t noticed when it started.
While we were waiting for a cab, someone suddenly called my name from behind.
"Hailey!"
A black Audi pulled up not too far away.
Peter slowly rolled down the window, his gaze landing on my wet hair with a frown.
"Get in. I'm here to pick you up."
I didn't move. Just then, I heard a cheerful voice from the passenger seat.
"Hailey, I told you Peter really loves you! He came to pick you up on a rainy day—oh, I'm so jealous!"
Seeing my blank expression, Josie chuckled and explained.
"Oh, I didn't bring an umbrella today, and Peter was nice enough to give me a ride. You don't mind, right?"
I chuckled. "Yeah, not at all!"
But I still didn't feel like getting in the car.
Peter waited for a bit, starting to get impatient. Just as he was about to say something, my colleague's cab arrived.
We both hopped in and as I closed the door, I heard Peter's urgent voice.
"Hailey, I came all this way to pick you up. Where are you going?"
I replied calmly.
"I've got some stuff to take care of. My colleague is going my way, so I'm not heading home yet."
Then I rolled up the window, shutting him out.
While I was having chili con carne with my colleagues, Peter called me a bunch of times. Swear, he was getting annoying!
I put my phone on silent, flipped it over, and kept chatting with my colleagues.
After the meal, my colleague's husband came to pick her up.
"Hey, want my husband to give you a ride home?"
I shook my head and smiled. "Oh, no, thanks. You guys go ahead."
I stayed at the resto, enjoying my meal when Peter walked in, soaked.
This time, no clingy childhood friend was trailing behind him. He looked both lonely and disheveled.
As soon as he stepped in, his eyes went straight to t
In the car, the air was heavy. He seemed mad, and I didn't even feel like appeasing him.
I just put on my Bluetooth headphones and continued listening to my podcast.
I don't know how long it went on, but then Peter suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, I've been kind of ignoring you lately because Josie is pregnant, and her husband is overseas, leaving her all alone."
We grew up together, and I care about her more than most; she's like a sister to me, you know, so I can't help but check in on her."
As he spoke, his fingers tightened on the steering wheel. I could tell he was a little nervous, especially when he mentioned Josie.
I remember two months ago, Peter's rarely used notes app was filled with pregnancy planning lists.
There were two columns: one for the mom and one for the baby.
I still remember how annoyed he got when we talked about our future, our marriage, and the idea of having kids.
"I don't have time for kids. No plans for that for the next five years!"
But when it comes to Josie, all his boundaries seem to shift.
The podcast switched to the next episode, and I casually changed it, nodding along.
"Yeah, since you two grew up together, it makes sense to care a little more."
The dumbass stared at me, dumbfounded.
"You… you really don't mind?"
Normally, whenever his childhood friend came up, we'd argue like crazy, and it would end in a fight.
But now, I was chill, and Peter was thrown off.
I couldn't help but laugh. "What's there to mind?"
After all, I'd already quit my job, and tomorrow, I'd sell my small apartment. Then, I'd leave this city for good.
Everything here has nothing to do with me.
Not even Peter mattered anymore.
When I got home, he handed me a nicely wrapped gift box.
"Babe, I know I haven't been spending much time with you these days. Don't worry, once I get through this hectic schedule, I'll make it up to you."
"It's only two weeks until our wedding. Have you thought about where you want to go for our honeymoon?"
When I didn't take it, Peter opened the box himself, revealing an old-fashioned gold necklace inside.
Just on the way to the front door, I came across Josie's post.
[Ugh, my silly childhood friend! Sure, this necklace's gold. But it's so old-fashioned I wouldn't wear it even if he paid me! LMAO.]
[Well, look, he actually bought me something new to make up for it. OMG! I love it!]
That necklace she was trashing was the same one my jerk fiancé was holding.
No way I'd take someone's garbage. I just grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom.
"I'm really tired today. Let's just talk later."
Chapter 4I took a good time in the bathroom for an hour and a half, putting on a face mask and doing my skincare routine before finally coming out.
I saw Peter still up, out on the balcony, smoking up on a lounge chair.
His gaze seemed empty, lost somewhere in the city lights. Bet he was missing his dear childhood friend again.
Well, I don't really care, so I just tossed the mask and went straight to bed.
I was already half-asleep when I felt someone sit at the edge of my bed. Peter whispered my name real soft, even leaning in to kiss me.
As soon as I caught a whiff of smoke, I frowned and pushed him away. I just rolled over and went right back to sleep.
The next morning, I woke up to find him already off to work.
I finished my breakfast and called up the real estate agent from the second-hand housing center to talk about selling the house.
This place, well, I’d bought it outright with five years of my savings. It was supposed to be my pre-marriage asset.
Back then, Peter didn't have a dime and couldn't even afford rent.
So, he moved in with me instead.
Over the years, his company took off, and he never talked about moving out. When I asked him about it, he'd just grin and suggest something.
"Babe, we've made memories here. Why don’t we make this our forever home, hmm?"
I thought he was saving his money for something important related to his business.
That’s till I found out Josie came back to the States, had nowhere to stay, and my generous fiancé actually bought his "friend" a beach house!
It was worth 10 times this place!
Since I’m leaving, thought I might as well sell what’s mine.
The place is in a prime spot, so it didn't take long for interested buyers to reach out. Later, I made a big dinner, waiting for Peter to come home.
Figured it was time to put it all out there, give a proper goodbye, and end these eight years right.
But as soon as he sat down and I was about to speak, his phone rang.
"Peter! I'm in so much... so much pain!"
"Please, can you take me to the hospital?"
In an instant, Peter panicked, grabbing his coat and running to the garage.
"Babe, Josie fell and hurt her belly! It could be serious! I need to check on her now!"
I just sat there for a second then laughed at myself bitterly.
I could only finish off the dinner alone and had all his stuff packed up and sent to his office.
Peter didn't come home that night.
But Josie posted on Instagram sometime at night—a photo of my fiancé dozing off by her hospital bed.
[So grateful for my perfect guy. First word from the baby’s gonna be 'Daddy'!]
As soon as I saw that outrageous post, I blocked her, logged out, and deleted the app.
The next day, I wrapped up the sale with the buyer, changed the locks, and officially left the city behind.
Three days later, Peter took Josie home from the hospital.
On the way, they passed by a flower vendor, and Peter stopped, buying a big bouquet of bright red roses.
Josie laughed. "How did you know I love roses?"
Peter took a step back, saying, "Uh, they're not for you."
The smile on Josie's face froze.
Peter seemed to remember something and chuckled softly.
"It's for Hailey. She's been so quiet these past few days. I thought I'd give her something nice."
But when he got home with the flowers, the key wouldn't turn in the lock.
Frowning, he called out, "Babe? Hailey?"
Before long, the door opened.
Peter smiled, but that faded fast.
A stranger peeked out, sizing him up, "Who are you?"