Chapter 1
The crystal-blue water of the Caribbean surrounded us as Zachary adjusted his scuba gear, his tanned shoulders gleaming under the afternoon sun. Our fourth anniversary celebration had started perfectly—a private bungalow on this secluded island, tropical drinks with tiny umbrellas, and plans for an underwater photography session to capture memories we'd cherish forever.
"Ready for our dive?" I asked, adjusting my mask. "I can't wait to see the reef up close."
Zachary smiled, that half-dimpled smile that still made my heart skip after four years. "Just need to check my equipment one more time. You know how I am about safety."
That's when his phone rang. The shrill sound cut through the gentle lapping of waves against our private dock. I watched his expression change as he looked at the screen.
"Sorry," he muttered, already answering. "Leila? What's wrong?"
My stomach tightened at her name. Leila Harris—the perpetually helpless underclassman who'd been orbiting Zachary since sophomore year.
"I can't talk now," he said, his voice dropping to that concerned tone I rarely heard directed at me anymore. "Noemi and I are about to—"
Whatever she said next made his face drain of color.
"A panic attack? Where are you? Hold on—" He turned away from me, lowering his voice further.
I stood there in my bathing suit, weight belt in hand, watching as my boyfriend of four years forgot I existed. The resort staff hovered nearby, ready to escort us to our private dive boat. Our romantic dinner reservation was for eight, followed by the stargazing tour I'd planned months ago.
"Zachary?" I finally ventured.
He glanced at me, guilt flashing across his features before resolve hardened them. "I have to go. Leila's having a breakdown—she's alone and not doing well."
"Tonight? Now?" I couldn't keep the disbelief from my voice. "It's our anniversary."
"I know, but she needs me." He was already packing his gear, movements swift and decisive. "The resort will take care of you. We can reschedule the dive for tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is our flight back," I reminded him, my voice small despite my efforts to stay composed.
"Then I'll make it up to you when we get home." He kissed my cheek quickly, not meeting my eyes. "Don't wait up."
And just like that, I was alone on our anniversary island paradise.
---
Hours later, I sat at the resort bar, nursing a piña colada that had long lost its appeal. The bartender—Miguel, according to his name tag—slid another napkin toward me.
"Maybe he's just delayed?" he offered, his kind eyes betraying his doubt.
I forced a smile. "Maybe."
My phone remained stubbornly silent. No calls, no texts explaining where he'd gone or when he might return. The resort had called twice to confirm our dinner reservation, which I'd politely declined.
On a whim, I opened Instagram. Maybe distraction would help the ache in my chest.
Leila's profile was the third one I swiped to. Freshly uploaded photos greeted me:
Her head resting on Zachary's shoulder at a cozy café I didn't recognize.
His hand gently wiping away tears from her cheek.
A close-up of their intertwined fingers.
The timestamp: thirty minutes ago.
My fingers hovered over the screen as I read her caption: "Sometimes the right person shows up when you need them most. #Grateful #NotAloneAnymore"
The comments section was already filling with heart emojis and supportive messages.
I took a long sip of my drink, then typed: "Looks like you're having a wonderful anniversary celebration! #PerfectTiming #ThirdWheelVibes"
I hit post before I could second-guess myself.
---
The airport terminal was nearly empty at midnight. My flight had landed two hours ago, and I'd been waiting ever since for Zachary to pick me up as promised.
"Traffic," he'd texted at eleven. "Be there soon."
Now, rain lashed against the windows as thunder rumbled overhead. My phone showed nothing but voicemail notifications from my increasingly worried calls.
"You should call a taxi," suggested a security guard, eyeing my solitary figure by the exit.
"Just a few more minutes," I insisted, though doubt gnawed at me.
That's when my phone pinged with a notification. Leila had tagged Zachary in a post.
"There he is!" she'd written beneath a photo of them both peering under the hood of her car. "My hero, helping me with my broken-down car in this storm! #KnightInShiningArmor"
Zachary's soaked shirt clung to his chest as he grinned at the camera.
I stared at the image, rain hammering against the glass doors before me, matching the storm brewing inside.
"Ma'am?" The security guard's voice pulled me back. "Last call for the terminal."
I closed Instagram, tucked my phone into my pocket, and stepped out into the thunderstorm.
"Taxi!" I called, extending my hand into the downpour.
As water streamed down my face, mingling with tears I refused to acknowledge, I made my decision. No more waiting. No more being the understanding girlfriend who never caused trouble.
I was going home—alone.