No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"Sis-in-law, I can't believe you're also heading to Houston," Susie greeted me with the same bubbly enthusiasm she always had, calling me 'sis-in-law' as if nothing had changed.

It was as if she was blissfully unaware of the gossip swirling around Ernest online, but I knew better. She had seen it, choosing instead to feign ignorance for the sake of our interaction. Despite being Ernest's sister, Susie was her own person, and the turmoil between Ernest and me wouldn't affect her feelings toward me.

"Maybe you should start calling me just 'Licia,' not 'sis-in-law,' given..." I let out a self-deprecating chuckle, "your brother's decided to tie the knot with someone else."

My words seemed to freeze the smile on Susie's face, and she looked on the verge of tears.

"No," she shook her head vehemently, "you're my sis-in-law, the only one I'll ever acknowledge. No one else will do."

Though her words did little to mend my heart, they did offer a sliver of comfort to my fractured spirit.

I couldn't help but cherish her all the more for it.

"Licia, I swear, he still loves you," Susie suddenly raised her hand as if taking an oath.

of the promise I had

now. How can you be so sure he

him holding your stuffed bear, and he even mistook me for you, calling out your name...

or was Susie

my brother bought,"

the baseball game for days, and he kept saying no Then suddenly today, he

too coincidental

why would he, a man who had let me go, stage such

could answer. Turning to Susie, I asked, "So, you're into baseball

Susie's face twisted awkwardly

she leaned closer

not that I like baseball, it's that Mack

she was chasing

how Mack had ghosted her after her confession, I couldn't help but