Later, I excused myself to use the restroom.
Ethan was waiting for me outside. He looked
at me with the same intensity he’d had at the
beginning of our relationship.
“Sarah, I didn’t realize how much I needed you
until you were gone. I can’t sleep. I keep
thinking about you as a kid, holding my
hand… about when we were starting the
company, how you used to make me soup
because you worried about my health…”
I stopped him. “It’s over, Ethan.”
His voice rose. “We can start over! You’re
giving Alex a chance. Why can’t you give me
one?”
I met his gaze. “Because there’s no trust left.
I don’t want to live with that kind of doubt.” If
I stayed with him, every late night at work
would be a suspected affair. Every
unanswered call would be a source of anxiety. Jealousy would consume me. He wasn’t worth
- it.
“Ethan, let’s keep this civil. Just… move on.”
Alex was standing nearby, watching, but he
didn’t interrupt. He just smiled and waved.
I smiled back and walked towards him, taking
his hand.
He blushed crimson, practically tripping over his own feet. I laughed. “Alex, you’re twenty- eight years old. Why are you so shy?”
He mumbled, “It’s my first time… liking someone. Not like some people, who drag a relationship on for ten years.” He fumbled in his pocket and produced a diamond ring, slipping it onto my middle finger. Clearly, he’d
<
planned this.
“The proposal can wait, but you touched my
hand. You have to take responsibility. I’m not
as casual as Ethan.‘
وو
I stared at the ring. “This is huge! You’ve
practically bought my entire future.”
He stopped sulking and grinned, picking me up and spinning me around. The kids, not
knowing what was happening, cheered and clapped.
