I should haveneveragreed to any of this.
Deep down, Iknewthis was doomed from the start. We come from two different worlds—ones that were never meant to collide.
I walk, barely aware of the road beneath my feet, hailing a cab on instinct alone. The driver takes me to the Rutherford Regent Hotel, where I move through the motions like a ghost. Once I am inside our suite, I sink onto the edge of the bed, staring at our suitcases.
Sitting side by side.
Still together.
Just like weshouldbe.
I am numb.
Ishouldbe crying.
But there’s nothing.
No anger.
No hate.
No resentment.
Just an aching emptiness swallowing me whole. And the crushing weight of knowing that I’m about to walk away from the love of my life.
For what feels like an eternity, I sit there, staring at the suitcases.
Side by side.
Still packed.
Still waiting.
The silence wraps around me, thick and suffocating, my mind drifting in a dreamlike haze until the sharp buzz of my phone startles me.
I pull it from my pocket, blinking at the screen.Anna.
Beautiful, loyal,gorgeousAnna.
My chest tightens. I’ll miss this woman more than I can put into words. I hope we can stay in touch and catch up when she’s back in London. But deep down, I know things won’t ever be the same.
With a sigh, I place the phone on the bed, letting it ring out.
The room falls silent again. A few seconds of quiet before—
Buzz.
Anna.Again.
I swallow, watching the screen, but I don’t move to pick it up. I let it ring out.
More silence.
Then—Buzz.
A third time.
I huff, rolling my eyes as I grab the phone and slide my finger across the screen to answer.
