Lana appeared from the shadows of the hall then, and Tyler’s jaw set as he glanced between us, seeming to realize that I wasn’t bluffing.
“What am I supposed to tell everyone?” he asked. “The wedding. The guests. The vendors. Our honeymoon—“
“Our honeymoon in the Maldives had a calendar of meetings attached to it,” I said. “Go on the fucking honeymoon. Have the reception. Celebrate all of your family and friends coming in from all over the world by spoiling them with champagne and caviar. I don’t care. Just tell them there isn’t a wedding.”
I grabbed up the laundry basket, giving him one last look. “Goodbye, Tyler.”
“No, Chloe, wait—“
He launched for my elbow as Lana twisted the doorknob.
“Wait—“ he pleaded, and I met his crestfallen eyes.
“Tell me what I did wrong,” he asked, his voice calm.
I thought about it as I hugged that basket to my chest. “You didn’t hear me,” I said. “And I never felt like I could be myself. Not with you, not with your friends, and especially not with your family. And I couldn’t… I couldn’t live that lie for the rest of my life.”
“I can change,” he pleaded. “We don’t have to leave right now. We can wait a few years. That deal—“
I was done with second and third chances.
I was done believing when someone said they would change.
“Tyler, it’s over.”
I barely spoke as we loaded my last boxes into my SUV. I didn’t have it in me to drive anymore, so I gave Lana the keys and plugged in the address for the hotel.
I knew breaking up with Tyler was the right thing to do. I knew I was leaving something that never supported me.
But it still hurt.
When we arrived at the hotel, my knees were wobbly. My body nearing collapse. I wasn’t even sure why I was so upset. It was like something in me that had been so perfectly placed together was snapped overnight. I couldn’t move my mouth. Didn’t feel my heart.
The moment we stepped inside the room, I collapsed onto the floor, and every emotion I’d held back for what felt like years came to the surface.
Lana ordered pizza as I sat in the bottom of the shower, letting hot water cascade on my aching body and mind. God, I was fucking exhausted. All I wanted was to lay there in silence for a week.
But the thought of Gavin filled me with butterflies and warmth, and after a couple of hours, I finally turned the water off.
“About time,” Lana said as I emerged, wrapped in one of the hotel robes. “I was going to come to make sure you hadn’t drowned.”
I huffed amusedly. “Just thinking,” I said as I settled onto the bed.
“Yeah, I figured.” She slid my phone across the mattress toward me. “Gavin called,” she said. “I answered and told him you’d call when you were out, but he said he would text you. He didn’t want to crowd you.”
I grabbed my phone and scrolled through his message notifications.
I won’t bother you. I only wanted to see if you had made it out okay.
I’m here if you need anything.
I love you.
I sighed as I set the phone down. “Three years,” I said, sinking onto the pillows. “Three years wasted—fiveyears wasted.” I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have been so afraid that night.”
“I don’t think it was a waste,” Lana said. “I think we’re meant to find people for certain stages of our lives. Like stepping stones. Some last. Some don’t.” She pushed the pizza toward me and then rose to make our drinks. “Vodka?”
“Please,” I said as I reached for a slice.
