Thanks for Not Showing Up

When Michael saw me ripping up the photos, he yelled, "What are you doing?!"

He ran over, panic all over his face. Tried to save the half-burned pics, but the flames were already too high. No chance.

"Why? Why would you do this?!" His voice cracked, eyes going red. He actually looked torn up—not like his usual fake dramatics.

I almost laughed.

He was losing it over photos, but my feelings? Never made the cut.

Without flinching, I took the ones from his hand and tossed them in.

"What's the point of keeping pictures of someone you don't even love anymore?"

He froze. "You're still mad about that day?"

Before I could say anything, he snapped.

"What do you want from me?! I explained everything! I said we'd get the license in two days! What more do you want?!"

The more he raged, the calmer I got.

I gave a faint smile. "If that's the case, then there's even less reason to keep these, right? Once we get the license, we can travel, take a bunch of wedding pics. Sounds better, doesn't it?"

He blinked, caught off guard.

"Travel..." he repeated, like he was testing the word.

Then his eyes lit up. "That's a good idea. Kallie said she wanted to travel too. We can go together."

Another stab, clean and deep.

Didn't matter what I said—his brain defaulted to her. Even for something like a honeymoon, she was still his plus-one.

That was Michael.

And I was the idiot who kept expecting something different.

***

Late that night, Leon called.

"I'm at an auction, buying our wedding rings. I'm putting it on your finger myself, sweetheart."

His voice had this playful edge, not as calm as usual.

I said yes right away.

He paused. "That's all you've got?"

I thought for a sec, then sighed. "We'll talk when you're back."

"Alright," he said. Then added, "You know what marriage means, right?"

I got what he was asking.

He knew how deep I'd once fallen for Michael. It made sense he was a little uneasy.

"I do," I said, steady. "I chose you. There's no one else."

"Good. Can't wait to see you." He sounded lighter, almost giddy, before hanging up.

Later, while getting ready for bed, I saw a new email.

It was an invite to a music exchange event. The official one was coming tomorrow.

My heart jumped.

I'd given up my dream of a music career to help Michael build his company.

Not this time.

This time, I wasn't letting it go.