I looked at the corner of the bed, where Jackson's once-toned abs seemed like a distant memory.
When we were together, his six-pack was my favorite.
Now that even that was gone, there was nothing left to hold on to.
I lay exhausted on the bed, looking around at the cozy little home I'd created. I remembered when we first moved in.
He held me close and took in the room.
"We should put up our photos here and make a photo wall. You love the piano, so we'll get one and set it up in that corner. You can play, I'll sing. We'll snuggle up, drink some red wine, and watch movies…"
"Aurora, even if I can't give you much right now, believe me, when we have our own place, it'll be all your design. You'll decide everything. You're the heart of our home."
In that moment, surrounded by his love, I truly thought I'd found a place in his heart.
Maybe he really did love me then.
Maybe, if Rebecca hadn't returned, we could have had it all, dating, marriage, kids, a simple life together.
But sadly, none of that can be reclaimed.
Everything has changed.
Rebecca was Jackson's high school classmate, and they both ended up at the same university.
I joined a year later as their junior.
They were the golden couple, the university's poster pair.
Like many others, I was immediately captivated during one of his speeches.
From that moment on, I was all in.
Jackson was so exceptional that even a simple glance from him made me ecstatic for days.
In my sophomore year, I switched to his major, getting closer to him with every step.
Later, Rebecca was offered a chance to study abroad by a professor.
It was a golden opportunity, and she left without a second thought.
Jackson, being his usual oblivious self, didn't realize what was happening until she was already gone.
After that, he struggled with his work.
I couldn't bear to see him so down, so I helped him out, and we grew closer.
By graduation, he confessed his feelings.
There were no grand gestures, but just a heartfelt confession after a few drinks. He took my hand and looked at me with such sincerity.
I was deeply touched, realizing how powerful true companionship could be.
I did everything I could to be a good girlfriend, and we were happy.
At least, that's how I felt.
But then Rebecca came back, and everything changed.
At first, I didn't think it was a big deal. I had been with him for years, and we were about to get married.