I turned my phone face-down and crawled under the blanket. I didn’t reply.
The next morning—the day our anniversary dinner was supposedly moved to—I didn’t prepare. I didn’t shower, didn’t dress up, didn’t even brush my hair. I just curled up on the couch in my pajamas, knees to my chest, staring at absolutely nothing.
Every time I blinked, I saw it again. Lewis and Victoria kissing like a happy couple.
My chest tightened until it hurt. A quiet sob escaped, then another, until I was crying so hard I couldn’t breathe. I pressed both hands over my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it didn’t stop. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to believe. I just knew my world had cracked open, and I was falling through it alone.
My phone buzzed.
Then again.
And again.
I didn’t move.
Lewis:
Nadine? Where are you?
Another message.
Lewis:
Love, please answer me.
Then another.
Lewis:
I’m getting worried. You’re not at the restaurant. What’s going on?
And then:
Lewis:
I prepared a surprise for you. Please don’t disappear on me like this.
A fresh sob tore out of me.
Surprise. Yes. I got my surprise yesterday.