Chapter 3
I stood by the entrance with a box, catching a whiff of strawberry perfume. on him.
It was the same scent Minnie posted about when she showed off her birthday gift online.
Even after all the years of loving him, the sting was still there.
“Are you clearing stuff out for the new season?” he asked.
I thought maybe he’d picked up on something. But he just nodded and said, “Some old junk should’ve been tossed ages ago.”
Raymond loosened his tie, revealing a rose–red hickey on his collarbone.
“I told you to throw them away before, but you didn’t want to. Now that things are going better, you don’t need to keep them.
“Wanna switch up the decor? I can call a designer next week. You can pick whatever vibe you like.”
The box in my hands dug into my palms. Inside were photo albums–our entire timeline from school days to wedding day.
We’d stayed up all night designing this house together. Every corner held our memories and love.
I looked up at him and smiled. “You’re right, Raymond. Many things do belong in the past.”
He paused, caught off guard for a second. I saw a flicker of guilt, but he pushed through it.
Chapter 3
“I’ll grab a few things and head out. Work has been crazy. I’ll come back when I get some time.”
I just nodded without asking.
Right as he was stepping out, I called him, “Raymond.”
He glanced back at me. The sunlight flickered across his lashes, casting delicate shadows.
For a moment, he looked just like the boy who once got hurt standing up for me.
“Goodbye,” I said with a smile.
That goodbye was for the Raymond I loved at 22 and the one who changed by 32.
Inexplicably, he felt uneasy like something wasn’t sitting right. Still, he shook it off and gave me a faint smile.
“Wait for me, alright?”
After he left, I cleared everything I owned out of that house, put it on the market, and moved into my new place. Then, I packed up Raymond’s stuff and sent them to Minnie’s home.
Her college send–off party was luxurious–just like how I once imagined my wedding with Raymond would be.
He wore the same suit he had on the day we got married, standing at the hotel entrance like the perfect host.
Minnie was spinning around in her princess dress, showing off the sparkly pink diamond on her finger.
I leaned into my Bluetooth earpiece and whispered, “Let’s begin.”
Suddenly, the lights in the venue went dark.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
“What’s going on?”
“Why’d the power cut in a five–star hotel?”
I heard Minnie’s voice tremble. “Ray, what’s happening?”
Raymond wrapped an arm around her, trying to calm her down.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll go check.”
And then–the screen lit up.
First, came the videos. Raymond and Minnie cuddling in my bed. Making out on my couch. Laughing in my office.
Even fooling around in the car he and I used to share.
Then, the footage cut to a high–resolution scan–our official marriage certificate.
For a moment, the entire hall froze.
Minnie stood still, face pale, lips parted but speechless. Her parents‘ expressions twisted in horror.
They flipped the table. Crystal shattered. Champagne spilled.
And just then, a spotlight found me in the corner of the room.
I stepped forward slowly, every eye turning toward me.
I smiled–and raised my glass.
“Raymond,” I said, voice steady, “this is my gift to you and your new girl.
Do you like it?”
