Love For A Decade, End At Midnight

Synopsis

At 11:59 PM, "Happy 10th anniversary, girlfriend!" my boyfriend, Ethan Blake, said, his voice full of excitement. With his charming smile and our friends watching expectantly, I closed my eyes and made a wish as I leaned in to blow out the candles. At 00:00 AM, Ethan couldn't wait, but still took his time as he carefully untangled the crown from my hair, not even tugging a single strand. He flashed a roguish grin, his eyes full of mischief. "Happy breakup, ex-girlfriend." Instantly, the private room erupted with cheers. "Here we go again. Congrats, Ethan, you're free once more!" someone shouted. "Place your bets! Get back together? Bet with me. Never getting back together? Bet with Zoey," another voice called out. Surrounded by neon lights and the chaos of the party, I stayed quietly in my seat, as if none of it had anything to do with me. As Ethan walked past with his arm around Molly Summers' waist, he said to me, "Same deal as always. One month." I pressed my hand to my aching lower stomach, not letting it show on my face. One month? This time the deadline was forever. I was getting married. It didn't matter who—just not him.