#Chapter 38: A Promise
Abby

The weight of loneliness presses down on me as the pristine table setting lies untouched. The absence

of Adam’s presence burns more than any verbal rebuke ever could. Frustration bubbles within me as I

glare at the untouched plates of food, each dish meticulously crafted to symbolize the deep affection I

hold for him.

“This dam ned evening…” I mutter under my breath.

My fingers tremble slightly as I quickly text Chloe: “Adam didn’t show. AGAIN.”

Before I can even put my phone down, it’s vibrating, and Chloe’s name flashes across the screen. I

take a deep breath and answer. “Hey.”

Chloe wastes no time, her voice thick with worry and frustration. “Abby, what the hell happened? Did he

at least call?”

I sigh, trying to hold back my tears. “I waited, Chloe. Set the table, lit candles, even put on that playlist

he loves. An hour goes by, and nothing. So I called him. And guess where he is?”

Chloe huffs. “Let me guess. The restaurant?”

“Bingo,” I mutter bitterly. “And the best part? He acted like it was just another day. Like he hadn’t

promised he’d be here just yesterday.”

There’s a pause on Chloe’s end before she says, “Abby, how many times are you going to let him do

this? This isn’t what love looks like.”

My voice cra cks a bit as I feel the irresistible urge to defend him, even though I know it’s wrong. “But

we share so much. The passion for food, our dreams… There are moments, Chloe, where everything

feels right. I love him.”

Chloe takes a deep breath, “You remember that one time we tried to bake Leah’s birthday cake, and

we accidentally mistook salt for sugar? On the surface, they looked so similar but tasted worlds apart.

Maybe that’s Adam. Looks right but isn’t good for you.”

I’m taken aback by her words, the truth in them stinging. “I… I don’t know, Chloe. Maybe I’m afraid of

being alone.”

“You moved on so quickly after Karl. Are you

not just…

bite my lip, fighting the truth in

okay,” she concedes. “But look, Abby, he’s a

know that everyone

whirls with conflicting emotions. “I need to cool off,

is soft and comforting. “You deserve

someone’s priority.”

voice as I change the subject. “Hey,

on a

blushing on the other end. “Oh, it was…

very good.”

Leaving so soon? That must’ve been…

laughs, and I join in. The comfort of our

thrilling, but, well,

say, feeling the weight of

evident in her voice. “And remember, you’re not alone.

end the call, my emotions

wine, its flavor, though rich, now tainted by the bitterness

dining room is drenched in warm hues from the strategically

cast illuminates the high ceilings and ornate woodwork of

with care, seems to mock

swipe at a plate of caprese salad, sending

leaves.

I

scraping the

Everything is discarded, just like the promises Adam made.

symbolic of moments in our relationship, is

cathartic—albeit wasteful—process when an

wine, hits me.

I say aloud, the name acting like a beacon in the fog of my

to his word. He’s an as shole, but in those ways,

Adam. And I miss

and perhaps the wine lending a hand, I dial Karl’s

on the other end. What am I even doing? What would

breaks

breath, I plunge into my impromptu plan. “Hey, Karl. Fancy

chuckles softly. “You

mean at my place. I

an army. Care to

it’s more contemplative than awkward. I can almost picture Karl,

furrowing, trying to

he starts, “It’s late.

to reveal. “Adam bailed on me.

this food, to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255