The Kiss That Broke Them

I put it subtly, not accusing Shawn directly of his affair with Casey.

Here I thought he would feel bad and come clean with me.

Shawn could stay true to himself and call off the wedding.

Instead, Shawn pulled a long face and criticized me.

“Are you jealous and threatening me with calling off the wedding because I spent some time with Casey? You’re twenty-eight. You’re not a child anymore, Jessica. Our wedding is not a game.”

I clutched the hem of my shirt and murmured, “But it’s Casey we’re talking about. You had a crush on her, and—”

Shawn interrupted me with a frown. “That’s all in the past. Can you stop bringing up ancient history?”

Well, could I help it?

Shawn was an amazing photographer, but he never took pictures of me.

He claimed he was not keen on capturing portraits. Yet Shawn had thousands of Casey’s photos saved on his computer.

When I confronted him about it, a big fight ensued.

At the time, Shawn promised that he and Casey were a thing of the past. He saw Casey as nothing more than his brother’s girlfriend now.

I believed him, but what did I get in return?

Had I not returned today and overheard his plan to elope, I would have remained oblivious to his lingering feelings for Casey and that I was merely his second choice.

Though hurt and upset, I was the first to apologize, as always. “I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

“I hope this is the last time. You know I care a lot about you. You’re the only woman I’ll marry.”

Shawn took a shower in the bathroom, got into bed, and spooned me from behind.

Years ago, Shawn struggled with grief and insomnia after losing his parents and brother in a plane crash. The looming threat of others coveting his family inheritance cast a dark shadow over his life.

During those difficult times, I remained by his side.

I worked as his secretary, navigating his personal and business challenges with him.

When he developed stomach issues from frequent business dinners, I took care of his health and enrolled in culinary courses to cater to his nutritional needs.

I would tell him bedtime stories and play him white noises during his insomniac nights, only going to bed when he was asleep.

More often than not, Shawn would hold me and say, “Your family is blind not to love you. From now on, I’ll be your lover, your family, and your constant support.”

Casey returned from her studies abroad as the Jepsons’ business bounced back.

Shawn defended his favoritism toward Casey, given the latter’s ties with his late brother. Casey always came first before me.

He urged me to be kind to Casey and treat her like family. However, family members should not engage in romantic relationships with one another.

In the dark, I bit my lip and removed Shawn’s arm from my belly.

Without a word, Shawn faced his back toward me and fell asleep. He no longer suffered from insomnia.

Change was constant in the world.

I stared at the ceiling, not getting a wink of sleep. It took me a whole night to come to a decision.

Ten years of our lives were invested in our relationship, and I knew it would be hard for me to let go of Shawn, but I couldn’t stay with a man who didn’t love me.

I didn’t want to go through with the wedding anymore.

Still, I wanted to end things amicably with Shawn.

I didn’t get a chance to speak to him the next day, though.

First thing in the morning, I woke up with a splitting headache. I felt my temperature, and I was burning.

Shawn scowled as I was barely lucid from the raging fever.

“We are out of medicine. Hang in there. I’m taking Casey home before she catches something from you. I’ll take you to the emergency room when I get back.”

He grabbed the car key and drove Casey home.

I stared at his back, my heart broken.

Though Shawn hurt me so deeply, I didn’t want to give up hope yet.

After all, we had been together for a decade. Our relationship should count as something. Surely, he would be back for me.

If he came back and showed that he cared, I would suggest we call off the wedding and end things on a good note.

I waited for hours, but Shawn was nowhere to be found. Instead, I came across Casey’s post on social media.

[I feel horrible during my period, but I’m lucky to have him by my side. He said he would always be there when I needed him, and he’s never proved me wrong.]

“He” must be Shawn.