Landing Before Dawn

The man who had sworn just the night before to love her for a lifetime was now, before her very eyes, entangled in an intimate act with her sister. The scene churned Michelle's stomach with disgust.

"Parker, you're so bad! Sneaking into my room in the middle of the night to do this. Aren't you afraid my sister will find out?" Janet's voice quivered, broken by breathy gasps as Parker relentlessly continued, almost as if he wanted to drive her past her limits.

He replied, "Who came to my house to seduce me first? You changed your mind now? You wish!"

***

Michelle crouched on the ground, clutching her mouth to muffle her sobs as tears spilled uncontrollably down her face.

Her cries, filled with despair, tore at her throat until it felt raw and stung. Why did it still hurt so much after she had already decided to let go?

Parker, how could you treat me this way? At sixteen, you shyly wrote me a heartfelt love letter. At eighteen, you held my hand and promised to love me forever.

Did you forget all of that? Her weeping drained all her strength, leaving her collapsed on the bed, tears flowing silently until dawn.

Before the first light of day, Parker finally returned, his body carrying an overpowering scent of women's perfume, "Come on, sleepyhead. It's time to get up and head to the beach for our wedding photos," he said as if nothing had happened.

Michelle responded with a soft mumbling, but the redness of her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

Parker assumed her low mood stemmed from her 'friend's' issue and gently reassured her. He said, "Don't be upset, sweetheart. Some relationships are meant to end when the timing is right. But with the same timing, the right person will also appear." Michelle gazed deeply at him but remained silent.

Half an hour later, Michelle was ready to leave. However, she discovered Parker and Janet waiting by the door.

Janet flashed a pleading smile and clung to her arm, "Michelle, can I join you two at the beach for the photoshoot?"

Michelle's lips curved into a faint smile. Her eyes lingered on Janet's suitcase for a moment before she asked, "What if I say no? Will you not come?"

Parker hadn't expected her refusal and stumbled over his words in a panic, "I … I'm sorry, darling. I only agreed because she's your sister. If you don't want her to join, it'll just be the two of us. Don't be mad, okay?"

Janet's forced smile wavered, on the verge of tears. She began employing her usual pitiful tactics.

Yet, to her surprise, Michelle suddenly laughed aloud, "Why are you two so nervous? Relax, I was joking."

Her eyes narrowed as she added mockingly, "Unless you're feeling guilty about something you're hiding from me?"

Parker's demeanor shifted subtly, his eyes betraying his unease as he blurted out, "Of course not!" But Michelle ignored him, turning and walking straight to the car, leaving the two behind.

The drive to the beach was filled with silence as Michelle stared at the ocean ahead. The salty breeze lifted some of the weight off her heart.

Parker, however, fidgeted anxiously. Pulling her into his arms, he whispered, "Sweetheart, she's your sister in name. If we didn't bring her, I was afraid people might think you're jealous of Janet."

The excuse was so laughable that Michelle couldn't suppress a smirk. Jealous? How could he be so good at making excuses for himself! Michelle pulled the corners of her lips and said nothing.

Her silence pushed Parker into desperation. His eyes reddened with emotion as he asked, "Sweetheart, do you not love me anymore?"

"And do you love me?" Michelle's smile turned faintly amused, her gaze tinged with icy sarcasm.

"Of course I do! No one in this world will ever love you more than I do!" Parker's voice brimmed with conviction, his sharp eyes filled with what seemed like sincerity.

But Michelle knew she'd rather have never believed that sincerity shining in his eyes.