To Love You, Never Again

Reid clenched his fingers and tightly embraced Callie in his arms. While she wasn't looking, he slipped the ring that he hadn't had time to give her on her birthday onto her ring finger.

“Don’t say that. I promise we’ll never be apart. You’re the only deserve to be my wife!” His voice was filled with an earnestness that once would have melted her heart.

But just as he seemed sincere, the buzz of his phone broke the moment. Reid glanced at the screen and his expression changed. Geneva had messaged him.

“Callie,” he started, hesitating, “can you wait for me? Something’s come up at the office…”

Callie let out a hollow laugh, one that held no humor. She hadn’t expected Reid to change—not really. She had long since stopped hoping for honesty. She cut him off, her tone sharp. “It’s fine. Go. Work is important.”

“I’ll be back soon, I promise!” Reid said hurriedly, already halfway out the door.

Callie watched him disappear into the corridor, his pace brisk and determined. Yet instead of heading toward the exit, which led to his car, he veered left—toward the stairs leading to the maternity ward.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. Reid didn’t even bother hiding his lies anymore. Three years. Three years of enduring his betrayals, knowing he had already built a life with Geneva in another home. And today, despite knowing Callie was being discharged, he chose Geneva again.

“Reid, you’ve left me behind too many times. Don’t blame me for leaving this time,” she muttered under her breath.

Taking out her phone, Callie composed a message to Geneva:

“You were right. Reid does love you. He always has. We should have ended this a long time ago. I’m stepping aside. He prepared an engagement party for tomorrow. It’s yours. The ring and wedding dress are meant for you.”

With smile of triumph she wrote a reply: “I told you Reid would choose me. You’ve always been the third wheel in this relationship. I’m just being nice, giving you all the heads-up.”

To hammer the point home, Geneva posted a series of pictures on social media—of Reid carrying her, of their cozy moments together in his other home. In one, Reid kissed Geneva’s forehead, his smile soft and affectionate as he said, “We’re home, darling.”

Callie stared at the screen, her chest tightening. But instead of letting the pain consume her, she tapped on her phone, selecting all the photos and videos she had secretly gathered over the years. Evidence of their affair, of Reid’s lies. She scheduled them to be sent tomorrow—during the proposal.

By the time Reid stood before his guests, ready to pledge his love, the world would know the truth.

Satisfied, she put her phone away just as Tommy arrived. He grabbed her luggage effortlessly and draped a warm coat over her shoulders.

“Put this on. It’s cold outside,” he said, his tone steady but filled with unspoken care.

Callie glanced once more at the staircase where Reid had disappeared, then squared her shoulders. It was over.

“Tommy, let’s go get our marriage certificate. Today.”

Tommy froze for a moment, processing her words, then nodded firmly. “Okay.”

They went straight to the city hall. As Callie held the red marriage certificate in her hands, a wave of relief washed over her. For the first time in years, she felt free.

“Reid, we’re finally done,” she muttered to herself.

***

The next morning, Callie dressed in an exquisite traditional wedding gown. Her calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the storm brewing in her heart.

On the other side of town, Reid, oblivious to what lay ahead, had just emerged from a night of passion with Geneva. He adjusted his crisp suit, excitement brimming in his eyes as he anticipated the perfect proposal he had planned for Callie.

Geneva, still basking in the afterglow, leaned against his back, her breath warm against his neck. “Reid, do you love me?”

Reid placed a tender kiss on her cheek, his voice gentle yet decisive. “I love you, Geneva. But I’ve got something to take care of now. I’ll have a surprise for you later.”

Blushing, Geneva nodded shyly, her voice soft with affection. “I know. I’ll wait for you.”

On the way to the proposal venue, Reid’s car was forced to slow down as he encountered an elaborate wedding procession. The line of luxury cars stretched endlessly, gleaming under the morning sun like a parade of wealth and grandeur.

Reid turned his gaze away from the crowd, his chest tightening with an unshakable unease. But he quickly pushed the feeling aside. Soon, Callie would be his bride and everything would fall into place. The thought brought a slight curve to his lips as he stepped forward.  

In the center of the stage stood a woman in a wedding gown, her slender figure facing away from him. Reid’s voice softened with affection as he called out, “Honey, I’m here. Will you marry me?”  

The woman slowly turned around and in that moment, the bouquet Reid held slipped from his hands and crashed to the floor.  

“Why is it you?!”   It wasn’t Callie. To his shock and disbelief, the woman in the wedding dress was Geneva.