Five Years Being “Practical,” Then I Made My Dream Pay Off Chapter 04
He let out a soft, dismissive laugh. “Don’t be dramatic. I’m
taking Zoe out to a new restaurant tonight. I don’t have time
to soothe your mood. I have to go.”
Standing outside under the blazing midday sun, sweat
trickled down my skin, yet inside I felt completely calm.
I was finally, completely done. None of it mattered anymore. I
no longer wanted to love him.
Still, many of my belongings remained in Walter’s New York apartment. I booked the earliest flight back. This time, I
wasn’t traveling for him.
When I unlocked his front door, the apartment was quiet. I
pulled out my suitcase and began packing my things quickly and decisively.
Two hours later, Walter got home. Right behind him was Zoe,
fully made–up and dressed up nicely.
Her face lit up when she spotted me. “Aria! There you are! I
heard you were in town a couple days ago but missed you. It’s
so good to finally see you!”
Her warm, over–familiar tone made her act as if she already lived there.
said nothing.
Walter glanced at my packed suitcases and frowned. “Aria, is
this some kind of ultimatum? All over what just happened?”
Tears welled instantly in Zoe’s eyes. “Aria, please don’t fight
with Walter. I know you’re upset with me for messing things up for
you, but I truly never meant harm. I’m not great with
words; I’ve never even had a proper full–time job…”
Before I could reply, Walter stepped firmly in front of her.
That’s enough. Stop picking on her. If you want to leave, go
right now. I won’t stop you.”
He paused, his voice turning cold. “Aria, we’ve shared five
years together. If you keep acting this impulsive and
self–centered, marriage will never happen for us. You cannot
only think of yourself. Selfish people don’t get to be loved.”
He threw those labels–impulsive, self–centered, selfish-
straight at me. Once, those words would have sent me
panicking into apologies.
Five years. I abandoned my dream, moved across the country
alone, worked myself ragged, endured loneliness. In his eyes,
all of that only proved I thought only of myself. It was the
most ridiculous thing I had ever heard.
I looked at him, my throat tight, Tears blurred my vision as a
bitter smile touched my lips.
There was no point arguing anymore. “You’re right. Selfish
people don’t deserve love.”
I lifted my luggage and walked past him without glancing
back. He made no move to hold me back.
Once I got into my rideshare, messages popped up from him.
[Honestly, I’m the only one who puts up with your temper.]
[Zoe and I are heading to Europe. When I get back, we will
talk this through properly.]
I read the text and laughed bitterly. Talk about what? How
little he cared, or how easily he dismissed everything I felt?
He was the one saying marriage might never work for us. If so,
the split needed to be clean. I blocked him on everything and
opened my flight app. I would never come back to this city.