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Setting the laptop back down on the coffee table, I sigh and contemplate everything and nothing, all at once. I’m just stuck.
Ding.
The laptop sounds, and I recognize the noise immediately as an email notification. Without even thinking about it, I read the screen and see it’s from Zales. Reed occasionally gets himself nice watches or jewelry for gifts for me or his family, so that’s not totally out of the norm.
What’s completely and absolutely strange about this very email is the little snippet I can read from the preview.
Reed, your order for the custom engagement ring is ready for pickup. We are so happy to play such an important role in your big day…
The email trails off, and my heart fucking bursts. My mind starts racing.
He’s going to propose? He ordered a custom ring? He wants to marry me? How long has he been planning this? When does he plan to ask me?
Before I can even gather my wits, I hear the garage door opening, and my heart sinks. Glancing at the computer, I make sure the notification is gone before I shut the screen.
Dammit.
My dad pops in my mind, and the second he does, I feel like time slows. I wonder if he would have chosen to love my mom if he had the choice again, knowing how it would end.
I always thought he would bounce back after some time, heal and move forward. But he never did. I don’t want to do that to Reed. I don’t want to be the downfall of his happily ever after.
If he were to propose under a different circumstance, I have no doubt that I would say yes.
He’s my Prince Charming, but I’m not so sure I’m his Cinderella. I will break my own heart to save his, and I would do it a thousand times over if it meant he got to be happy in the end.
The door opens, and my eyes well up with tears before he even takes a step inside the house. The second I know he’s within earshot, I prepare to say the hardest thing I have ever said and probably ever will say.
“There’s my favorite girl,” Reed sings and walks in, shutting the door behind him.
I can’t even bear to look at him yet. It’s going to be too painful.
“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, but I fail miserably.
“What’s wrong? Did the appointment go okay?” he asks with such concern in his voice that my chest hurts.
“Can we talk?” I ask him quietly.
Walking over to where I’m sitting on the couch, he hands me a bouquet of white and purple tulips. I wish my hand didn’t instinctively shoot out to grab them. Because now, I’m holding a beautiful bunch of my favorite flowers from the man I love, and this only seems harder.
“What’s going on?” he asks solemnly.
I take a deep breath and rip my heart from my chest. “I don’t think this is working for me anymore.”
“W-what? What do you mean?” he asks.
Rip the Band-Aid off, Charlotte. It’s never going to get easier.
“I’m breaking up with you, Reed.”
He reaches out and takes the bouquet of flowers and sets them down before holding my hands in his. “Look at me, please.”
Stay strong. You can do this.
Hesitantly, I lift my gaze to his watery eyes.
He strokes my hands with his thumbs, and I wish he would stop trying to comfort me right now. I don’t deserve it.
“Whatever you’re thinking or feeling is probably normal. We’ve been together for a while now; it’s okay to have doubts. But we can get through it together. Don’t let that tear us apart. We’re stronger than that.” His words stab my heart.
