I couldn’t believe it. Of all places, Raven had shown up at my parents’ house. My parents. He had never once bothered to visit them before, always claiming he was too busy. But now, here he was, standing on the doorstep like it was the most natural thing in the world.
A tense silence hung in the air as my mother looked between us. She must have sensed the heavy emotions swirling between me and Raven because she quickly suggested, “Why don’t you two talk inside?”
I shook my head firmly. “There’s no need. This won’t take long.”
My mother hesitated, worry was evident to her face, but she didn’t push further. She disappeared into the house, I'm sure she's going to call brother Craig. But she really doesn't need to worry too much. It's not like Raven can do anything to her.
Raven followed me, his presence like a storm cloud threatening to ruin the fragile peace I’d found. Once we were a few steps from the door, I turned to face him. “What are you doing here, Raven?”
He looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite place. His usual indifference was gone, replaced by something almost…guilty.
“You didn’t call,” he said finally, his voice tight. “You didn’t tell me you were coming back to your family. When are you coming back to the condo?”
I stared at him, stunned by his sudden concern. Was this guilt? Did he feel bad for leaving me stranded the other night to rush off to Gina?
I sighed heavily, gathering the strength I needed. “This is the first time you’ve cared about where I am, or are you just guilty because you left me in the middle of nowhere?”
The flicker of discomfort on his face was all the answer I needed. I had been right. It wasn’t concern—it was guilt. I look away.
“I’m not going back to the condo,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest. “And the wedding? I want to call it off.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “What?” he asked sharply, as though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
I held his gaze, unwavering. “I don’t want to marry you anymore, Raven.”
He blinked, taken aback. “But…you were excited about the wedding. You’ve been planning it for months.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You think that’s the only reason I stayed? Raven, I stayed because I loved you. I stayed because I believed you’d change. That my love for you can move you.” My voice softened, but the pain in my words was unmistakable. “I stood by you when you were at your lowest, when Gina left you without telling you anything. I poured everything into us, into you, and what did I get in return? The moment she comes back, you toss me away like a toy that you've lost interest in.”
Raven’s expression hardened, his defenses rising. “I was still going to marry you. You shouldn’t be greedy. I’m giving you my last name—what more do you want?”
The ache in my chest deepened, but I didn’t flinch. “I wanted love, Raven. I wanted respect and attention. But you can’t give me any of that.”
He frowned, his jaw tightening. “You chose this. You knew how I felt about Gina from the start, and you still stayed. So don’t act like this is my fault.”
I smiled bitterly, the weight of his words finally lifting something in me. He was right—I had chosen this. But now, I was choosing something else.
“You’re right,” I said softly. “I did choose this. But I’m done being the second choice.”
I turned, my feet moving away from him with a finality that made my heart ache. Each step felt like shedding a layer of the past, of the pain, of the woman I used to be.
“Crystal!” His voice called after me, sharp and desperate. “If you walk away now, don’t think I’ll ever take you back. Even if you say you regret it.”
I stopped and turned my head, meeting his gaze one last time. A single tear slid down my cheek, but my voice was steady as I answered.
“I won’t regret it at all,” I said, my heart finally feeling light. “Thank you.”
Without waiting for his response, I walked away, leaving him and my past with him and face my new reality.
