Olivia.
She looked pale and shocked, staring at me,
then at Ethan. “Ethan, I didn’t believe it when
they told me. You broke up with me in the
middle of the night, flew back here, for her? For
a married, … ordinary–looking woman like
her?” She looked at my ring, as if personally
insulted.
Olivia looked furious. In the past, a single angry
word from her would send Ethan chasing after
her across the country. But now, he didn’t even
turn around, speaking only to me. “Avery, I
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can’t live without you. I can’t sleep. I haven’t
slept properly in days.” He looked haggard.
“Come back to me, Avery, babe. I’ll change. I’ll
change everything. I won’t even look at another woman.” His voice was a raw whisper. “Replacements can become the real thing. People get divorced. I’ll really change. I’m begging you.”
I was speechless. I’d never seen him like this. Never. The proud Ethan, even after all the drama with Olivia, had never begged her like
this. Olivia was stunned. Her face went from red
to white, then she turned and ran, tears
streaming down her face. “Don’t regret this,
Ethan. You won’t get another chance.”
Ethan didn’t even look back. “Olivia’s gone,” I
pointed out.
He reached for my hand. “I never planned on
being with her long–term. She was just… an obsession. When it comes to marriage, you’re
“Ethan,” I interrupted, rubbing my temples. I was worried about Daniel waking up and not finding me. “I didn’t always see you as a replacement. There were times when… I felt something.” How could I not? Six years of
intimacy, of closeness, how could I not feel
something?
His eyes lit up with hope. I sighed. “But you
pushed me away, Ethan. Don’t you remember?
Every time I started to fall for you, you chose Olivia.” I gave a bitter laugh. “You pushed me
away. You kept reminding me that Daniel would
never treat me the way you did. That you could
never replace him.”
The light in his eyes dimmed. He still tried to
argue. “I can change, Avery. I can—”
I shook my head. “You don’t love me, Ethan.
You just can’t stand the thought of someone
not loving you. It was Olivia before, and now it’s
me” I pointed to my chest. “But I can’t be with
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you anymore. My heart belongs to my husband
now. There’s no room for you.”
The last flicker of hope in his eyes died. I
walked past him, back towards the house. At
the doorway, I saw Daniel. He’d been standing there, watching. I panicked. “You heard
everything…”
He pulled me into his arms. “It’s okay.” He stroked my back. “Ethan called me. He told me
everything. Asked me to give you up.”
“What did you say?” I asked, looking up at him.
“I paid him back double for bringing me home
and paying for my treatment. And I sent him a
wedding invitation.”
I was speechless. So that’s how Ethan knew
where to find us. Daniel was ruthless.
I don’t know when Ethan left. I didn’t care. I
>
was busy planning our honeymoon. On a
beautiful sunny afternoon, Daniel and I arrived
at a tropical island. Blue skies, white sand,
turquoise water, a gentle breeze… Daniel and I
dozed in the sun, enjoying the peace, until
evening, when we returned to our beachfront
cabin.
I’d told Ethan about this place years ago, how
much I wanted to stay here. We never had the
chance. When Daniel heard me talking about it,
he booked it immediately for our honeymoon.
I stood by the window, looking out at the ocean,
when I saw a familiar figure sitting on the
beach, drinking beer, alone, surrounded by
empty bottles. I closed the window, but before I
could draw the curtains, Daniel pulled me into
his arms, kissing me deeply. Out of the corner
of my eye, I saw Ethan on the beach, raising
another bottle to his lips, as Daniel carried me
to the bedroom…
In the morning I went downstairs for a glass of
<
In the morning, I went downstairs for a glass of
water and was shocked to see Ethan still on the
beach, motionless. I rushed out, checking his
breathing. He was still alive. I breathed a sigh of
relief. As I turned to leave, he grabbed my hand,
his eyes opening. The once vibrant eyes were
now clouded with alcohol and sadness. His
voice was a low plea. “Avery, can I… can I just
hold you one more time? Just one hug. Please.”
I shook my head, pulling my hand away. “I’m
married, Ethan.”
He was very drunk, his voice a mix of laughter
and tears, barely audible above the sound of
the waves. “But I can’t let you go, Avery. It’s
not… not like you said, wanting what you can’t
have. It’s… loving without knowing. Avery, babe,
please give me another chance. I swear I‘||
never take you for granted again.”
I stopped. Then I went back. This couldn’t go
- on. I had to make him give up completely. My
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return seemed to give him hope. He looked at
me expectantly. I pulled out my phone, showing
him a picture. A pregnancy test. Two lines.
“I’m pregnant, Ethan.” He stared at the image,
speechless. I stood over him, returning the
words he’d used to break up with me. “It’s over between us.” I turned and walked back to the
cabin, leaving him in silence.
I forgot about Ethan after that. Daniel and I
were busy with our new life together, the past
fading into a distant memory. Ten months later,
our daughter was born. At her 100–day
celebration, Daniel beamed, proudly carrying
her around, showing her off to everyone. I
watched them, my heart full.
A waiter approached with a beautifully wrapped
gift box. “Excuse me, ma’am. A gentleman
asked me to give this to you.” I assumed it was
a gift from one of Daniel’s friends. I thanked
him and opened the box. Inside were two items:
2 golden bracelet and a huge diamond ring I
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a golden bracelet, and a huge diamond ring. I
recognized the ring.
584
Olivia gasped. “Isn’t that the ring Ethan tried to give you at the wedding? The one he asked me to give you, and I gave back when you refused
it?”
I was stunned. I grabbed the box and ran out, hoping to catch Ethan. I was too late. I saw his tall, thin figure getting into his familiar sports car, the engine roaring as he drove away.
Olivia caught up with me, sighing. “If he’d done
this sooner…”
I shook my head, smiling. “Don’t be silly. There are no ‘what ifs.“” What was done was done.
There were no second chances, no going back.
I returned to the party, looking at my husband and my daughter, my heart overflowing with love. Daniel came over and hugged me. “Is
there something on my face? You keep
staring.”
I shook my head, nuzzling into his chest. “I’m
just grateful I didn’t lose you.” Grateful I hadn’t
missed my chance at true happiness.
