A trip with my college sweetheart was supposed to save my marriage, but her ulterior motives made me question everything I thought I knew. When I realized her true intentions, I was about to lose everything.
The days merged into a continuous loop of quiet mornings and evenings. I woke up every morning looking at the empty side of the bed that my husband, Michael, had already left either to go to work or to get lost in his phone, barely noticing me.
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We used to stay up late, share stories, and plan impromptu weekend trips just because we felt like it. Now, those moments felt more like fragments of a distant past.
There was an empty vase in the kitchen, a silent reminder of the flowers he used to bring home “just because.”
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***
One afternoon while I was running errands, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Lauren! Is that you?”
I turned around and saw Vivian, my friend from my college days. She radiated energy like an explosion of color in my gray world.
“Vivian!” I exclaimed, surprised to see her.
We hugged, and for a moment, it was as if the years had melted away. Vivian had always been full of bold ideas and stories.
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“So,” she asked me, “how’s life going? Still with Michael?”
“Yes, we’re… still together,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Life is just… well, it’s gotten a little routine, you know? Nothing like the excitement of your life.”
“Routine, eh? Well, maybe it’s time to shake things up!”
She rummaged in her purse and pulled out two plane tickets.
“My ex and I were supposed to go to Spain. But since I’m single now, I have an extra ticket. You should come with me!”
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“Vivian, I don’t know…” I said, my tone weak even for me. “I haven’t traveled in years, not alone.”
She smiled knowingly and nudged me with her elbow.
“Lauren, you deserve to live a little. Just for a week. Spain. The sun, the markets, the beaches. No routine, just freedom.”
The idea of detaching oneself, even for a short time, was both terrifying and exhilarating.
“Okay,” I said quietly, a hint of excitement piercing my hesitation.
Vivian smiled broadly. “Spain, here we come!”
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***
The trip felt like a dream from the moment we landed. Spain was full of color, and every corner seemed teeming with life. Vivian was practically bouncing with excitement as she dragged me from place to place.
“Oh, Lauren, look at those scarves!” Vivian squealed as we strolled through a bustling market. “And those earrings—they’re so you!”
I laughed, actually feeling joy resurface from somewhere deep inside me.
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“I don’t know, Vivian. Since when are bright red scarves ‘so me’?”
“Since today!” she said, holding the scarf theatrically in front of my face. “Come on, you need some color in your life!”
She was right. Everything seemed more alive here—the rich scents of spices in the air and the colorful displays. I let myself be swept away by the atmosphere.
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We went to a small cafe nearby. The air smelled of fresh pastries and coffee, and we settled into a cozy corner. Vivian took a sip of her coffee, watching me intently over her cup.
“Don’t you ever wonder, Lauren,” she said slowly, “how things ended up this way? When did life become so… predictable?”
I sighed, looking down at my mug. “Michael barely sees me. Even when I’m away from him, he never texts or calls me.”
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“It’s hard. I understand, you know. It feels lonely.”
“It’s like I’m on autopilot. I’m just… I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the same person he fell in love with.”
Vivian squeezed my hand. “You’ve put yourself last for so long, and this is your chance. This trip is exactly what you needed.”
“I almost forgot how good it feels to… let go.”
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After finishing our coffee, we decided to walk slowly back to our hotel. Then, out of nowhere, I saw a face I hadn’t thought about in years.
My steps slowed and my heart pounded. It was Jake—my ex-boyfriend! He was walking toward us.
“Lauren?” he asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
I felt half delighted, half shocked. “Jake! Wow, I can’t believe this. What a coincidence!”
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He laughed with that same charming laugh that had once been so irresistible. “I never thought I’d see you here! Are you on vacation?”
“Yes, actually,” I said, glancing at Vivian, who was watching us with a knowing smile. “This is my friend, Vivian.”
“Nice to meet you, Vivian,” Jake said, extending his hand. “I can’t believe I’m running into you here, Lauren. It’s been… what, ten years?”
“It feels like forever,” I replied, feeling a little pang of nostalgia.
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He suddenly glanced at his watch. “Listen, I’d love to know more about what you’ve been up to. How about dinner? Just to make up for lost time, of course.”
I hesitated, the word NO was on the tip of my tongue, but I felt Vivian’s hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
“Go ahead, Lauren,” she whispered. “It’s just dinner. There’s no harm in catching up, right?”
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I hadn’t heard from Michael in the last few days, and part of me needed attention. “Sure. Dinner sounds like a good idea.”
“Great,” he smiled.
As soon as Jake was out of sight, Vivian let out a laugh and gave me a playful nudge.
“Well, that was a dramatic turn of events! Your ex, here in Spain? It has everything you need to make a beautiful story!”
“Oh, come on, Viv,” I rolled my eyes. “It’s just dinner. We’re friends now. That was… a long time ago.”
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She raised an eyebrow, giving me a teasing look. “Uh-huh. I believe you. Just friends.”
“I mean, I love Michael. It’s just… I wanted to see what that part of my life was like now through other eyes.”
“Exactly!” she said, clapping her hands. “And that’s why you’re going to have a nice dinner and have some fun! Live a little, Lauren!”
“Okay, okay,” I laughed, giving in. “You win.”
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***
The evening with Jake felt like opening a time capsule. We laughed over old memories and shared stories, and for a moment, I let myself relax, almost forgetting the life I left behind at home.
“You know,” Jake said, leaning back in his chair, “I never thought I’d run into you here, of all places.”
“Me neither,” I replied, smiling. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Like… a piece of the past is coming back.”
“You haven’t changed much, Lauren.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I do. Life has a way of doing that.”
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“Not quite,” he said softly, reaching across the table to take my hand.
I froze, glancing down at our hands. But before I could react, he leaned forward and kissed me.
For a brief moment, I let myself be overwhelmed by this familiar feeling. But almost as quickly, guilt arose, calling me back into line.
“Jake, I…” I stammered, walking away. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
I left quickly and stopped at the hotel bar for a double espresso before telling Vivian everything.
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***
But as I entered the room, I saw Vivian packing her suitcases with a hard, almost mechanical expression.
“Vivian? What’s going on?”
She looked up, her expression cold. “Oh, I’m just getting ready to leave,” she replied casually.
“Why now?!”
Vivian’s lips curled into a slight smile as she held up her phone. “I took a little ‘souvenir’ for Michael. I sent him a picture of you and Jake.”
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“You… what?! Why did you do that?”
She shrugged, slipping her phone into her bag. “Because, Lauren, I’m tired of standing in your shadow. It’s my turn now.”
“Vivian, this doesn’t make any sense! You’re my friend!”
“Friend? Maybe once. But now I’m Michael’s assistant. And the photo is my chance to be his support, to take your place.”
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She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.
“Vivian, wait!” I called, but she didn’t turn around.
She left me in silence, thousands of miles from home, unable to explain anything to Michael.
***
When I got home, my nerves were on edge. My stomach lurched as I unlocked the door. It was Michael’s birthday.
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Part of me wished he’d gone out so I wouldn’t have to confront him right away, but I knew avoiding him wouldn’t help. The house was silent. There was no sign of him—just a note he’d left on the table:
“6 p.m., at our place.”
At home. My heart sank. I hadn’t been to that restaurant in years. I was afraid things had gone too far to fix. But I had to go.
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I entered the restaurant at exactly 6:00 p.m. Michael was there, standing by our old table, holding a bouquet of roses and a small gift box. His expression softened when he saw me, and I felt my heart leap.
“Lauren,” he greeted me.
“Hello, Michael…”
He sat across from me and set down the roses. “You know, I was… hurt when I saw that picture.” He paused, searching my face. “But I didn’t believe it. I know you. And I know Vivian—or at least, I recognized her in that old picture of the two of you. I started to connect the dots.”
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I looked down, shame washing over me. “I don’t know how to tell you how incredibly sorry I am. I didn’t even realize how much I needed a break or how far we’d grown apart.”
“I’m not innocent in this, Lauren. I let work take over and I let you take a back seat. That’s my fault too.”
I felt a tear slide down my cheek. “I missed you, Michael. I missed us being together.”
He squeezed my hand gently. “Me too. And that’s why… I sent her away. I wasn’t going to let anyone come between us, especially not when I was the one who should have been paying more attention.”
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I managed a small smile. “So… what now?”
Michael handed me the small gift package. “This is my promise to you. Things will be different. I’m ready to make things right.”
Inside the box was a delicate bracelet with a tiny heart-shaped charm. My heart soared as I looked up at it, seeing the man I’d fallen in love with still there, still willing to try.
“Michael,” I whispered, “I love you. And… there’s something else.”
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He raised an eyebrow. I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand tightly.
“I am pregnant.”
Her face fell into a joyful, stunned smile. “Are you… we’re having a baby?”
I nodded, and he hugged me. In that moment, all my doubts and fears melted away. We had a future to build, stronger than before, and we were ready to start it together.
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