Chapter 8: Chapter 8
Albert’s accusation made me want to laugh. “Me, apologize? Why don’t you go check the parking lot security cameras and see who owes who an apology!”
I couldn’t believe it. He didn’t even bother to verify anything before deciding I had pushed her.
“Krista is weak, and she’s pregnant. Would she really risk her own health and the baby’s for a joke?”
A flash of panic crossed Krista’s face. “It’s okay, Albert. Sherry has every right to be angry. Let’s just go.”
But Albert wouldn’t let it go. “No. She needs to apologize to you today!”
I wasn’t backing down either. I wasn’t going to admit to something I didn’t do. Fearing that Albert might actually check the cameras and expose her, Krista clutched her stomach and pretended to be in pain.
Albert’s anger instantly melted into worry. He scooped Krista into his arms and rushed off to find a doctor.
Watching them leave, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth. Years of love couldn’t buy me a single ounce of his trust.
Good thing I had woken up. Good thing I could leave.
Albert didn’t come back that night, probably busy taking care of Krista.
On my last day, I shipped most of my luggage to Seattle, leaving only a carry-on suitcase. That evening, Albert returned, his face still clouded with anger.
“Krista is still in the hospital. She’s not well, and the baby isn’t stable. Even if you didn’t mean to, couldn’t you just be the bigger person? Why do you have to be so petty?”
The bigger person? I felt I’d been generous to a fault. I’d handed over my wedding and my fiancé to Krista. Now, I was ceding my place in his life entirely.
Albert noticed the big red circle on the calendar marking the 20th, and his tone softened slightly.
“Alright, the wedding is tomorrow. I’m not going to fight with you. After the wedding, go apologize to Krista, and then we’ll go on our honeymoon. Have you planned the trip yet?”
I didn’t answer. If Albert had paid any attention at all, he would have noticed the house lacked any hint of wedding cheer.
“We…”
Before I could tell him the truth, Albert’s phone rang.
It was Krista. Albert’s face tightened. “You wait there. I’m on my way.”
He shot up to leave. “Krista’s not feeling well. I’m going to check on her. I’ll be back before the wedding. I’ll see you at the church tomorrow morning.”
The moment the door clicked shut, the words I’d been choking back finally escaped. “We’re breaking up, Albert. The wedding is off.”
My voice was swallowed by the empty room, leaving only the ticking of the clock.
I sat in the living room all night, until the sun came up. My phone vibrated, a reminder that my flight was in two hours.
I walked into the bedroom, picked up my suitcase and a marker pen. On the whiteboard on the wall, I wrote: “Albert, we’re done.”
Dragging my suitcase, I took one last look at the place I’d called home for five years and called an Uber to the airport.
Goodbye, Albert.
