I Won't Settle for Less Anymore

I opened Ethan's Instagram profile and saw the post right away. "Thinking about ending my relationship. 100 likes and it's over."

It already had 99 likes.

Scrolling back, I saw that he'd posted the same kind of thing several times before. It was always the same rule. 100 likes meant a breakup.

Every time he did this in the past, I panicked. I would cry and call him right away, begging him not to leave me. I would apologize without dignity, take all the blame, and plead for forgiveness.

Each time, I was no better than a dog wagging its tail for mercy.

And each time, after I apologized, Ethan would archive the post and say coldly, "Fine. I'll let it go this time."

Every time, I swore it would be the last.

But every time, I gave in again.

This time, though, after seeing the post, I didn't spiral into a panic or call Ethan and beg for a reconciliation like I used to.

I stared at the photo instead.

It was taken at a popular rooftop bar in Estain. City lights glittered under the night sky. A group of young doctors stood together, raising their glasses in celebration.

Ethan and Victoria stood at the center. Their hands were tightly clasped.

The night looked beautiful and perfect.

My eyes stung.

I heard Ethan's old promise echo in my head. "Leah, once we can both work at the Redwood General Hospital, I'll take you to the best restaurant and tell everyone we're together."

But he'd already given that celebration to Victoria.

I looked at the post for a long time. Then, I raised my hand and tapped "like".

The breakup post finally reached 100 likes.

There was no future for Ethan and me anymore. This was goodbye.

I took a screenshot and closed the app.

I didn't feel the pain I'd imagined. Instead, I felt lighter, like a weight I'd carried for four years had finally been set down.

Back at the apartment, I stayed up most of the night packing. I boxed up all the gifts Ethan had given me over the years. There were several boxes in total.

Now that we'd broken up, keeping them felt wrong. Before I left, I planned to return everything to Ethan.

I placed a note on the top box. "Ethan, these are the gifts you gave me over the years. I'm returning them to you."

As I finished writing, the tears finally fell.

I was finally free.