My Fiancé Saved Her Painful Days, But Forgot Mine Chapter 04

My Fiancé Saved Her Painful Days, But Forgot Mine Chapter 04

My IV bag finally ran dry before sunrise.

I could not stand being there another minute, so I asked a nurse to remove the line and left before Mitch noticed.

The crying from the next cubicle had faded to soft sniffles.

Mitch was humming under his breath while holding Lynn in his arms.

I pulled my coat tight around me and stepped into the freezing night air.

When I got back to the townhouse, I called the landlord, paid the early move-out fee, and arranged to have my name taken off the lease.

Every room was filled with reminders of Lynn.

My own belongings barely took up any space at all.

Everything I had to show for five years fit into one small rolling suitcase.

By the time I hung my last winter coat in the closet of my new studio apartment, they had finally realized I was gone from the hospital.

Mitch called me.

He did not ask once how I was feeling.

“Shelly, where did you go?”

“You left without saying anything to Lynn.”

“She’s been crying all night because she feels so guilty.”

He sounded exhausted, but his voice still softened whenever he talked about her.

“I’m willing to let yesterday go.”

“Pick up the new invitations and bring them to the hospital.”

“Lynn hasn’t slept because of all this.”

“Give her the invitations, apologize, and we can put the whole thing behind us.”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

“You want me to bring wedding invitations to the woman you care about more than me and ask her to forgive me?”

Mitch sighed.

“Why do you keep saying things like that?”

“You know how sensitive Lynn is.”

“Can’t you show a little patience?”

“I put up with a lot from you, Shelly, but you cannot throw a fit when something serious is at stake.”

He paused before continuing.

“If you don’t bring those invitations over and make Lynn feel better today, we’re putting the wedding on hold.”

“We won’t talk about getting married again until she’s emotionally stable.”

Five years of my life had been reduced to a tool for soothing another woman’s feelings.

I stared at his message and typed two words.

[Dream on.]

If he wanted to put the wedding on hold, he could hold it forever.

I blocked his number, ordered takeout, and made myself a cup of coffee.

Less than thirty minutes later, my phone rang from an unfamiliar number.

Mitch had called from a new line.

“Shelly, are you really taking this that far?”

“The landlord told me you moved out.”

“Where are you?”

“Do you think disappearing is going to prove some point?”

“Lynn was ready to apologize after she got discharged, but when she saw your room empty, she broke down and fainted again.”

“You know how fragile she is.”

“Are you trying to push her over the edge?”

He forced his voice calmer.

“Stop being childish.”

“Wherever you are, come back and explain yourself to Lynn.”

As I listened, my grip on the coffee mug slowly loosened.

This was always how Mitch worked.

The second Lynn felt even slightly hurt, I was expected to be the one who apologized, compromised, and gave something up.

I let out a quiet laugh.

“Explain myself?”

“You’re right.”

“Someone does need to make things clear.”

Mitch exhaled in relief.

“I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.”

“Get an Uber back to the townhouse.”

“Lynn woke up a little while ago, and she’s been asking for that chicken and rice soup you make.”

I smiled faintly and ended the call.

Five minutes later, I posted a message in both families’ Messenger group chats.

[To both families, I’m sorry to let everyone know that the wedding planned for next month is officially canceled.]

[Mitch and Lynn have a lifelong bond that clearly matters more than our relationship, so I’m stepping aside and wishing them the future they deserve.]

[Please cancel any travel plans.]

[Mitch will be responsible for returning any gifts that have already been sent.]