Chapter 2

Claire took the phone back, a flash of alertness in her eyes.

"Why do you have this?"

"You left it in the car."

My voice was hoarse, but she didn't notice.

She just nodded.

"Right... Goodnight."

Claire was very particular about her sleep. She always said she needed enough rest to stay beautiful.

So, even after moving in together, we slept in separate rooms.

Watching her walk away, I uncurled my fists, my palms aching from how hard I'd dug my nails in. All the strength seemed to drain out of my body.

Back in my room, I locked the door and typed in that Facebook handle I had just memorized.

I thought it was just a burner account.

But when I saw the registration date, I realized how wrong I was.

This account was eight years old.

The latest post was the one she had typed in the car.

Remembering the look on her face just moments ago, my stomach dropped.

So her impatience and half-heartedness were never just in my head.

It was all real.

For seven years, our families had pushed us countless times.

They wanted us to get married.

But I knew Claire was reluctant, even resistant.

Every time the topic came up, I was the one who stepped in, making excuses for her, shielding her from their expectations.

If she hadn't said those things at my birthday dinner a few months ago, I probably never would have taken the final step to propose.

In the end, it was always just me.

My eyes burned. I quickly scrolled past that post.

Previous post.

May 13th.

"Probably won't ever get to own a cat in this lifetime. Annoying."

Attached was a picture of an adorable Selkirk Rex.

Claire loved cats.

But she only liked this specific breed.

And I was severely allergic to cat dander.

She had wanted one for years, but her mother, Diana, had always said no. Claire never argued with me about it to my face, nor did she ever tell me she resented me for it.

Turns out, she blamed me for that, too.

May 3rd.

"I hate having to sit around and eat with everyone every holiday. Boring. A waste of time."

That was the day my parents used their rare day off to travel all the way from Western Massachusetts to meet Claire's parents.

They had stood on the Amtrak for five hours just to get here.

When we saw them off, Claire even told them they didn't have to make such a tiring trip anymore, promising she would visit Western Massachusetts with me more often.

My parents were so touched. They texted me from the train, saying what a thoughtful, good girl Claire was.

None of us knew that deep down, she despised those gatherings.

April 17th.

"Sometimes I think a quiet life is fine, and other times I feel so suffocated I can't breathe. I can't tell if I'm sick of him, or sick of this life. Maybe both."

February 10th.

"Forgot to buy his birthday gift again. Good thing I'm quick on my feet. The things I said should count as a gift, right?"

February 5th.

"The most annoying part of the year is here again."

Chapter 2

Claire took the phone back, a flash of alertness in her eyes.

"Why do you have this?"

"You left it in the car."

My voice was hoarse, but she didn't notice.

She just nodded.

"Right... Goodnight."

Claire was very particular about her sleep. She always said she needed enough rest to stay beautiful.

So, even after moving in together, we slept in separate rooms.

Watching her walk away, I uncurled my fists, my palms aching from how hard I'd dug my nails in. All the strength seemed to drain out of my body.

Back in my room, I locked the door and typed in that Facebook handle I had just memorized.

I thought it was just a burner account.

But when I saw the registration date, I realized how wrong I was.

This account was eight years old.

The latest post was the one she had typed in the car.

Remembering the look on her face just moments ago, my stomach dropped.

So her impatience and half-heartedness were never just in my head.

It was all real.

For seven years, our families had pushed us countless times.

They wanted us to get married.

But I knew Claire was reluctant, even resistant.

Every time the topic came up, I was the one who stepped in, making excuses for her, shielding her from their expectations.

If she hadn't said those things at my birthday dinner a few months ago, I probably never would have taken the final step to propose.

In the end, it was always just me.

My eyes burned. I quickly scrolled past that post.

Previous post.

May 13th.

"Probably won't ever get to own a cat in this lifetime. Annoying."

Attached was a picture of an adorable Selkirk Rex.

Claire loved cats.

But she only liked this specific breed.

And I was severely allergic to cat dander.

She had wanted one for years, but her mother, Diana, had always said no. Claire never argued with me about it to my face, nor did she ever tell me she resented me for it.

Turns out, she blamed me for that, too.

May 3rd.

"I hate having to sit around and eat with everyone every holiday. Boring. A waste of time."

That was the day my parents used their rare day off to travel all the way from Western Massachusetts to meet Claire's parents.

They had stood on the Amtrak for five hours just to get here.

When we saw them off, Claire even told them they didn't have to make such a tiring trip anymore, promising she would visit Western Massachusetts with me more often.

My parents were so touched. They texted me from the train, saying what a thoughtful, good girl Claire was.

None of us knew that deep down, she despised those gatherings.

April 17th.

"Sometimes I think a quiet life is fine, and other times I feel so suffocated I can't breathe. I can't tell if I'm sick of him, or sick of this life. Maybe both."

February 10th.

"Forgot to buy his birthday gift again. Good thing I'm quick on my feet. The things I said should count as a gift, right?"

February 5th.

"The most annoying part of the year is here again."