Goodbye, My Lost Love

Chapter 3

It hit me then, hard and sudden. With my decision to leave now within reach, none of this mattered anymore.

After I turned him down that night, William froze. His whole body tensed like he was bracing for impact. Maybe his pride wouldn't let him ask why I rejected him. Instead, he just muttered a quiet "Okay" and turned away.

That night, the distance between us felt as vast as the Milky Way.

By the time I woke the next morning, William was already gone. Maybe he was avoiding me, afraid I'd be jealous of Ava's friends, though I couldn't bring myself to care.

But on the dining table, there was a surprise, a plate of slightly burnt toast, a fried egg, and a glass of milk. A rare gesture from someone who had never once made me breakfast.

Next to the plate, a sticky note read:

For my wife, enjoy!

My phone buzzed with a message from him.

William: Honey, I put the wedding dress in the study. Try it on and send me a photo, I know you'll look beautiful.

I finished the toast (a little too charred but still edible) and headed to a stationery store. There, I bought a countdown calendar.

Back home, I tore off the first page.

Six days left.

Then, I started packing.

I began in the den, clearing away framed photos, books we'd shared, papers, and all the little trinkets we'd collected. As I placed the last item into a box, something slipped out, a diary.

I flipped through the pages, each one filled with memories, dates, anniversaries, silly notes about things we'd done. The paper had yellowed, but the words still carried warmth.

I hesitated for a second. Then, I left it behind.

The wedding dress, though? It hung there, mocking me, like nothing had changed. My fingers clenched around the fabric. Before I knew it, I grabbed a pair of scissors and slashed through the delicate lace and satin.

Rip. Rip. Rip.

It felt good.

I didn't stop there. I listed every expensive gift William had ever given me online, free to anyone willing to pay for shipping. By the time I finished packing, almost everything was gone. A courier was scheduled to pick it all up the next day.

That evening, my phone buzzed again, a reminder about the immersive play I had tickets for. It had been sold out for weeks. I bought them back when I thought William and I would go together.

I didn't even bother asking if he was still coming.

Just before the show started, he texted:

William: Work's crazy tonight. Don't wait for me for dinner.

I rolled my eyes and went alone.

My seat was on the right aisle, not too close to the stage, but the play was incredible, a heart-wrenching love story about life and death. By the end, my cheeks were damp with tears.

Then, as the final scene approached, the actors started interacting with the audience.

A giant screen lit up.

A random audience member had been selected.

William's face appeared on the screen. Sitting next to Ava.

Oh. So "work" meant this.

They had front-row seats. The perfect view. The perfect setting. And under the bright stage lights, they looked perfect together, William, sharp and polished; Ava, radiant and poised.

The actors played along, asking if they were a couple.

Ava giggled, leaning into William's arm before he could even answer. The crowd burst into cheers and teasing.

Then, in a grand, dramatic move straight from the play's final scene, the lead actor turned to them.

"To truly prove your love," he announced, "a deep, passionate kiss to seal your fate as a couple."

The audience roared with excitement.

Ava smiled. Tilted her head. And kissed him.

Full. On. The. Lips.

For everyone to see.

William, his expression unreadable for a split second, flinched. Then, suddenly, he shoved her away and shot to his feet.

The room stilled.

His gaze flicked to the side.

And met mine.

Our eyes locked across the theater.

But strangely, I felt nothing. No anger. No heartbreak. Just a quiet, eerie sense of relief.

I broke the gaze, grabbed my bag, and walked out.

As I reached the exit, footsteps pounded behind me. William.

He caught up, breathless, hair a mess from running. "Victoria, wait, " His voice was rushed, desperate. "It's not what it looked like."

I said nothing.

"There were so many people watching. I couldn't embarrass her, couldn't embarrass myself." His words tumbled out in a frantic attempt to explain.

I nodded, lips curling into a slight smile. "Uh-huh. I get it."

He frowned. "Wait… Are you saying that because you actually get it? Or are you being sarcastic because you're jealous?"

I let out a soft laugh. "William, what exactly is there to be jealous of?"

Just then, Ava came running out in her stilettos, calling his name. She barely made it three steps before her ankle twisted, and with a sharp gasp, she stumbled forward.