Breaking Up and Moving Up

When I got back from my mom's funeral, it was pouring.Rain soaked through me, blurring my vision, and a heavy fog settled over my mind.My phone rang.I glanced at the screen, expressionless. "Orlando." The name brought a sharp, familiar ache.Orlando Reid and I had been together a decade. He was always distant, sometimes downright cold.I kept thinking that if I stayed, if I loved him hard enough, he'd finally let me in. But no amount of love could break through his wall of indifference.A week ago, I got the call that my mom had passed.Before she died, she worried about my future. She'd say, "Wren, you've been with Orlando so long, but he still hasn't talked about marriage. I know this might sound harsh, but I have to say it."You two come from such different worlds. If Orlando really cherished you, I wouldn't be worried. But from where I stand, it's only you who's fully committed."I'm scared you'll only end up hurt if you marry into his family."She wasn't wrong. I came

We'd been together for ten years, and no matter how unhappy I was, I'd always tried to talk things out calmly, never once saying the words "break up."Orlando looked startled for a split second, then his face hardened. "Don't throw around talk of breaking up—it's hurtful. I'll pretend I didn't hear that this time."Whenever Rosalind was upset, he'd coax her gently, asking what was wrong. But with me, he only ever offered a cold reminder to "control your emotions."Even now, when I finally brought up breaking up, he brushed it off like I was being unreasonable, making a fuss over nothing.I hated feeling like I was constantly comparing myself to Rosalind, feeling bitter and resentful. But his double standard was so obvious that anyone could see it.Right then, Rosalind stepped out of the car with an umbrella, pouting. "Orlando, just go and comfort Wren, would you? She doesn't like me much to begin with, and you missed her birthday for my graduation. Of course she's upset!"Orlando

I looked at him blankly from the balcony, then turned and went back inside.The door clicked shut, and the pounding rain faded, like it was sealing away all the chaos outside.My phone buzzed from the bed—Orlando was calling.In all our years together, this was the first time he'd ever been the one to reach out after a fight.I used to think if Orlando ever swallowed his pride to comfort me, I'd be over the moon, ready to forgive anything. But now, all I felt was a dull bitterness.It was like swallowing bile, that bitterness seeping through every part of me.Then, memories from the past drifted up, uninvited...More than a decade ago, Cordelia had come to the mountains near our little town to relax. It was flood season, and in an instant, a narrow creek turned into a raging current that swept her away.My dad, who was nearby, risked his life to save her but lost his leg in the process.Since then, she'd felt indebted. When she learned I had good grades, she offered to transfe

But late at night, the memories would creep back, stirring something deep inside me.To keep those old wounds from clouding my mind, I threw myself into work, practically living at the office.Our new team lead, Cole Carlton, caught me one day. "Don't burn yourself out, Wren! You gotta save some energy—and maybe a few hairs, too!"Cole was five years younger, tall, good-looking, with rumors floating that family connections got him the job. But after three months, no one questioned his skills. He was sharp, generous, always bringing drinks and snacks for the team, and he really knew his stuff.***"Wren, come out with us tonight!"A hand landed on my shoulder, making me jump. Without even looking, I knew it was Cole.He was good at almost everything—except personal space. He loved sneaking up on people, especially me. He'd pulled this stunt enough times that if he weren't my boss, I'd probably have smacked him by now.Since I had no plans, I agreed to go.Cole grinned, throwing