Hearing the commotion, my parents came out of the master bedroom in their pajamas.
"Willow? What are you doing home at this hour?"
"Didn't you say Byron was throwing you a birthday dinner tonight, that you wouldn't be back?"
Seeing them, my nose stung, and the tears nearly spilled over.
How could I not be hurting?
Seven years with Byron were seven real years. I had truly loved him.
Once, I had truly believed I would walk through my whole life beside that man.
Noticing something wrong in my face, Mom shot Dad a look before turning back to me.
"All right, it's late now. Go up and rest first."
"Whatever it is, we can talk about it once you've had some sleep."
For the next two days I stayed home and didn't go out. Byron, still sulking, didn't reach out to me either.
On the third day, Isabel posted several photo grids to her social media feed.
Different outfits, different hair and makeup, but the same man standing beside her in every one.
Byron.
The comment section exploded all over again.
"Are these wedding photos? Isabel, are you and Byron actually together now?"
"Sounds like something wonderful's on the way? Congrats, congrats!"
Isabel spun out her fake little explanation in the replies.
"Oh, don't get the wrong idea, everyone. These are the wedding photos Willow and Byron booked."
"They had a fight recently, but the shoot was already booked and couldn't be refunded, so Byron just brought me along to take them."
"For me they're hardly wedding photos, though. At most they're just some personal portraits."
In that moment, the last thread of hope I'd been holding for Byron vanished completely.
No more wedding photos.
And this man standing next to someone else? I didn't want him either.
I went downstairs and looked at my parents, their faces full of worry in the living room.
"Mom, Dad, let's go over to the Fox house tomorrow."
"If we're calling off the engagement, it's best the parents on both sides sit down and talk it through."
To avoid the Fox family's dinnertime, we went a little later on purpose.
By the time we reached their place it was almost eight. The whole family had just finished eating and was sitting in the living room watching TV.
When she saw us, Kathryn Fox looked a little taken aback.
"Willow? And the two of you, what brings you by at this hour?"
"Why didn't you tell us sooner? I could've made a few dishes and we'd have had dinner together. As it is now…"
Mom cut Kathryn off flatly.
"Don't call us family. We're not family anymore."
"And we're not here to eat tonight. There's something we'd like to discuss with you."
Seeing how serious my parents' expressions were, Kathryn said nothing more and stepped aside to lead us in.
My parents had barely sat down when Byron pulled me off to one side.
"What is this supposed to mean?"
"Willow, are you really not going to be satisfied until you've blown this whole thing up?"
I couldn't be bothered to say much to him. I shook his hand off and went to sit beside my parents.
The moment I sat down, my father spoke.
"We've brought Willow here today to call off the engagement."
"The two of them aren't right for each other. I think this wedding should just be dropped."
Brent Fox panicked at once.
"Come now, you can't say things like that. They're young. Fighting, having problems, it's all normal."
"We're the adults here. We can't lose our heads over this."
I forced a smile at Brent and Kathryn.
"Uncle, Aunt, this isn't some simple squabble."
"I've thought it over carefully. Byron and I aren't right for each other. Even if we married, we'd never have a good life together."
"There's no need to keep talking us out of it. My family has already made up its mind. That's why we've come to your door."
