She Was Never the Real Reason

For a whole week, Dominic didn't come home.

But I knew exactly what he was up to.

Beverly, bless her heart, posted everything on social media.

It was impossible to miss.

Hot springs trips, ocean views, sunrise selfies…

My social media feed was flooded with a completely different Dominic. He could be a normal, loving boyfriend. Just not with me.

I didn't dwell on their daily adventures; I'd glance, then quickly scroll past.

I wasn't idle, though.

The apartment was overflowing, and it took days to completely clear it out.

I even squeezed in a trip home, telling my parents I was heading to the lab soon and wouldn't have much contact with the outside world for a while.

My dad looked surprised. "You're practically married to Dominic. Won't you be living apart?"

Mom's eyes were filled with worry. She took my hand. "Jane, honey, think this through. You and Dominic have come so far. If you go to the lab, he might not agree, and the wedding…"

I understood their concern.

They'd witnessed my years of devotion to Dominic, and they knew his feelings weren't reciprocated.

Before the proposal, they'd gently advised me, suggesting that I wasn't important enough to him, urging me to reconsider.

But I'd been confident I could change him, make him fully accept me. So they'd agreed.

Now, with the wedding looming, they feared that if I went to the lab, Dominic would object, maybe even call off the wedding and break up with me.

They were worried about me getting hurt, so they wanted me to think carefully.

But the one calling off the wedding was me.

After I told them about the cancellation, they were silent for a long time.

I didn't tell them about Dominic and Beverly's baby, afraid they couldn't handle it.

I simply said I wanted to pursue my research.

They exchanged a look.

Since I'd made my decision, they'd support me.

Finally, Dad sighed, patted my shoulder, and said, "Just make sure you don't regret it."

Back home, I called my best friend, Alexa Reeves, to help me get rid of all the packed boxes. They were piled high in the living room, taking up a ton of space.

It took several trips up and down the stairs before we finally finished, leaving the apartment feeling strangely empty.

Alexa looked thoughtful.

"Remember two months ago," she said, "when you were so excited after Dominic accepted your proposal? We celebrated all night, you were so happy to finally get what you wanted."

She shook her head.

"And just two months later, you're calling off the wedding?" She paused. "Seriously? I thought you were joking that day." She leaned in. "You've been chasing Dominic for years. Tell me what happened."

Maybe it was the impending departure, but I felt the urge to confide. I told Alexa everything that had happened over the past month, including Dominic's baby with Beverly.

Alexa, who'd witnessed everything between Dominic and me, let out a string of curses.

"After everything you did for him, he gets another woman pregnant right before the wedding and expects you to be okay with it? What is wrong with him?!"

I shook my head, swallowing the bitterness. "He said Beverly saved his life and he wants to fulfill all her wishes."

Alexa was furious. "You saved him too! How could he do this to you?!"

I didn't reply. Maybe he just didn't love me. But it didn't matter. Soon, I'd be leaving him behind.