I Loved You Once. Never Again

“Where are you, Reba?”

Sheldon scrolled through his phone, his fingers stiff. None of my messages had been answered.

I hadn’t replied to him. I hadn’t told him about my day. For the past few days, our conversations had shrunk to almost nothing.

In the past, I had always checked in first.

[Did you eat?]

[Don’t overwork yourself.]

[Take a break if you feel dizzy.]

I steadied his moods, soothed his anxiety, and listened to his fears. Our weekly talks were never casual—they were quiet counseling sessions I gave freely, just to keep him whole.

But over the last two years, those conversations thinned. Then vanished.

Sheldon never noticed. He was too busy playing with a new toy to realize the old one was already breaking.

Only now did he see it clearly. He was the only one still sending messages. And even then, every text was the same.

[Busy. Can’t come home. Urgent meeting.]

Nothing about me. Nothing for me.

A sharp panic crawled up his spine.

He called again. No answer.

Again and again, until the same cold voice repeated, “The number you have dialed is currently unavailable.”

As time dragged on, questions rose among the guests. Sheldon, restless and irritated, had no choice but to accept the event team’s persuasion.

He knew the event could no longer be delayed. So, he steadied his mood and thought, thinking if maybe I forgot to charge my phone, that I would come in the end.

Yes, Sheldon knew how much I loved him. How much I adored and respected him.

“The opening should begin first. They will stall for time before the main segment, understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Stacey watched from the side and smiled faintly. ‘So, she had kept her promise.’

When she returned to her apartment earlier, a package was waiting at the door. She carried it into her room and opened it slowly.

Inside were Sheldon’s belongings. And Lizzie’s.

Neatly packed. Cleanly cut.

It was clear—I had given up the title of Mrs. Carter. I had abandoned everything connected to that identity, just as I said I would.

In a few days, once the court finalized it, the divorce would be official. All that would remain was choosing a wedding date between her and Sheldon.

Stacey closed the box and laughed softly.

“How I love being the winner of this game,” she murmured.

Just then, the event team called her name.

She lifted her chin, adjusted her smile, and walked onto the stage—radiant, confident, and triumphant—as the event began under brilliant lights.

Meanwhile, Sheldon kept checking his watch. It was already past midnight.

I still hadn’t arrived.

He began to sense the shift in the room—the searching glances, the whispered questions. The public was looking for me.

Tonight, only Lizzie and he were present, and the absence was too obvious to ignore.

Two years ago, after his father died in that private plane crash, every responsibility of Carter’s Group had fallen squarely on his shoulders. The weight had never truly eased.

If anything, it grew heavier.

The business world was ruthless, and he had been forced to harden himself to survive it.

The board of directors pushed him relentlessly—higher sales, fiercer strategies, results that surpassed even his late father’s legacy.

He knew what they whispered behind his back.

That Sheldon Carter wasn’t ready.

That the man who once trembled uncontrollably eight years ago had no right leading an empire.

Those memories still burned.

That was why Stacey’s arrival had felt perfect.

A distraction. A weapon. A solution.

Making Stacey the brand ambassador had driven sales up at an explosive rate. Numbers spoke louder than doubt. For the first time, he silenced those who questioned him.

He had proven himself. Or so he believed.

The success fed his pride, hardened his arrogance, and left no room for loss. He could not tolerate failure—could not endure anything slipping beyond his control.

So now, with one thing out of place, one person missing, his thoughts unraveled—slowly, dangerously—under the bright lights of the stage.

After all, Sheldon had prepared everything for my birthday celebration—to impress the public, to paint the picture of the happiest family, to prove he was a loyal and devoted husband.

When he was still feeling overwhelmed with his own thoughts, the event team approached him. “Mr. Carter, it’s time for your opening speech.”

“Let me know the moment Reba arrives,” he said, straightening his suit.

Then he stepped onto the stage.

Under the dazzling lights, Sheldon smiled calmly, confidently—like a man with nothing to hide.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began. “Thank you for being here tonight, not only for the launch of Carter Group’s newest product, but also for a very special celebration.”

He paused, eyes sweeping across the crowd.

“Two years ago, Carter Group went through its most difficult transition. I went through mine as well. Many people doubted whether I could stand where my father once stood. Some believed I would fail.”

A low murmur rippled through the room.

“But I didn’t,” he said firmly. “Because behind every decision I made, behind every night I pushed myself forward, there was someone who never stopped believing in me.”

He smiled softly.

“My wife.”

The screen behind him lit up, revealing the product name in elegant letters.

REBA.

“This product,” Sheldon continued, “is named after the woman who stood by me when I had nothing to offer but uncertainty. Reba Carter is not just my wife—she is my foundation.”

Applause erupted.

“Of course,” he added smoothly, “our brand ambassador, Stacey, has contributed tremendously to our success over the past two years. Her professionalism and dedication helped bring this product to life.”

Stacey smiled graciously from her seat.

“But success,” Sheldon said, his voice lowering, “is never built alone. No husband can thrive without his wife’s support.”

“Tonight’s launch is not just business. It is a birthday gift. An anniversary gift. A thank-you.”

He lifted his glass.

“To my wife, Reba Carter. Everything I am today exists because of you.”

Thunderous applause filled the hall.

After the speech, the MC announced the interview session.

The first reporter stood up immediately. “Mr. Carter, may I ask—why hasn’t Mrs. Carter arrived yet?”

The question struck closer than Sheldon liked. It echoed the unease already clawing at his chest.

He laughed lightly. “I told Reba to dress as beautifully as possible tonight. It is her special day.”

He shrugged playfully. “So let’s be patient. You know how long it takes a woman just to finish showering, right?”

Laughter rolled across the room, especially from the men.

“As they say,” Sheldon added with a confident smile, “the best surprises always come at the end. So please, enjoy the night.”

Applause followed him as he stepped down from the stage.

At that moment, his phone rang.

His secretary.

He frowned and answered. “What is it?”

Her voice came through, shaking. “Sir… you need to come to the hospital right now.”

His irritation flared. Why was nothing going his way tonight?

“Can’t you handle it yourself?” he snapped. “Don’t you know what day this is?”

There was a pause. Then her voice dropped, trembling.

“But, sir…the victim you hit with your car today” she said quietly. “The victim’s ID… it belongs to your wife!”