- 4.
I’d packed light, so light that I thought I had everything. It wasn’t until I was back at my apartment that I realized I’d left a necklace, a precious one, at Matt’s place. It was too late to go back that night. I returned the next day. I’d given Matt back my key, so I had to ring the doorbell. “Coming!” a female voice called. My stomach lurched. The door opened a crack, revealing a girl in an apron. She had long, curly hair tied back with a ribbon, pale skin, and dimples that flashed when she smiled. I knew I’d see her eventually, but not like this. Not the day after I’d left. “You’re here! Matt told me you were coming. I’ve made lunch. Stay and eat with us,” Nina said sweetly. I was stunned, a strange sadness washing over me. She already looked like she belonged there, more than I ever had. “Matt, Lily’s here!” she called over her shoulder. Matt emerged from the bedroom, toweling his hair dry. He was wearing sweatpants and a t–shirt. “Lily? What are you doing here so soon?” he asked, his voice strained. He glanced at Nina and added quickly, “Nina just got back and hasn’t found a place yet, so… she’s staying here for a bit.” “Sorry, I’ll need to crash here for a while until I find an apartment. Hope you don’t mind,” Nina said, smiling as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s fine. We’re broken up,” I said flatly, as if discussing the weather. Nina’s eyes flickered with understanding. She gave a small smile, looking like a pure, innocent flower. “Oh, right…” Matt just looked at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Lily…” I didn’t want to hear it. I brushed past him and went to the storage closet, retrieving my necklace. As I closed the closet door, my gaze fell on the nearby trash can. I froze. There wasn’t much in it just a crumpled photo of Matt and me, and a used
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condom. I remembered our first night living together. I’d asked him if there would ever be anyone else. He’d stroked my hair, his breath warm against my neck. “Never has been, never will be,” he’d murmured. “Only you, Lily. Always.” I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. How could someone change so fast? Or maybe he hadn’t changed. Maybe this was who he was all along. I felt Matt’s presence behind me. He must have realized what I’d seen. He reached out and grabbed my arm. “Lily, let me explain…” I turned and slapped him.
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“Get out!” I grabbed my things and stormed out of the bedroom. Nina was coming out of the kitchen with a dish as I reached the front door. “Have some lunch before you go,” she said softly, a gentle smile on her face. I met her gaze and replied, “No thanks. I’ll wait for the wedding invitation.” I gave Matt, who’d emerged from the bedroom clutching his cheek, one last look. He was just… average. Good-looking, sure, but utterly ordinary. It hit me then the light I’d seen in him had been my own all along.
