The chill of the evening air brushed against my skin as I stood outside the Preston Condo, waiting. I glanced at my watch. Twenty minutes had already passed since I’d called Craig, and though the night was quiet, the minutes dragged like hours. Still, I remained rooted in place. This wasn’t just a moment of waiting—it was a moment of resolve.

Finally, the familiar rumble of Craig’s car broke the silence. The sleek black vehicle came to a stop in front of me, and the window rolled down. Craig leaned out, his sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“I gave you twenty extra minutes,” he said dryly. “Figured you might change your mind and save me the embarrassment of driving all the way here for nothing.”

His words stung a little, but I understood. I smiled faintly and motioned toward the suitcase by my side. “Can you help me put this in the trunk?”

For a moment, he just stared at me, his usual air of confidence faltering. “You’re serious?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

I nodded.

Craig let out a long breath, muttering something under his breath before stepping out of the car. He grabbed my suitcase and hauled it to the trunk, slamming it shut with a decisive thud. Then he turned and opened the passenger door for me. “Get in,” he said simply.

I slid into the seat, the familiar scent of leather and faint cologne comforting in a way I hadn’t expected. Craig joined me a moment later, settling into the driver’s seat. Without another word, he started the car and drove off.

For a while, we sat in silence, the hum of the engine filling the space between us. Then Craig broke it, his voice quiet but probing. “Why now?”

I turned to look at him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. “I’m tired, brother,” I admitted. “Tired of being abandoned over and over again. I’ve spent years hoping things would change, but they never did. It’s time for me to move forward.”

Craig’s lips twitched into a smirk, but I caught the faint sadness in his eyes. “It’s about time you realized that,” he said, his tone teasing but gentle. “Raven was never good for you, Crystal. You deserved better from the start.”

I didn’t respond, but his words settled in my chest like a balm on an old wound.

By the time we reached home, the sky has long darkened. It's already 9PM, and the warmth of the house lights spilled onto the driveway. I stepped out of the car, suitcase in hand, and felt a rush of emotions as I approached the front door.

The door opened before I could knock, and my parents stood there, their faces alight with surprise and joy.

“Crystal!” my mother exclaimed, rushing forward to pull me into a tight embrace. My father joined her, his arms wrapping around us both.

The tears came before I could stop them. Their warmth, their love—it was overwhelming after so many years of absence. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m so sorry.”

My father shook his head, his hand resting on my shoulder. “No apologies, sweetheart. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

They ushered me inside, the familiar scent of home wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. The dining table was already set, and the sight of it made my chest tighten. For years, I had missed dinners like this, too caught up in my life with Raven to spend time with the people who truly cared about me.

We sat down for a hearty meal, laughter and conversation filling the air. It was the first time in a long time that I felt truly at peace.

The next morning, I was lounging in the living room, a cup of tea in hand, when the doorbell rang. My mother walked towards the front door and opened. I heard murmurs and was about to ignore it when my mom called for me. “ Crystal, come here, sweetie!”

Setting my cup down, I made my way to the door. When I arrived, she turned to me, “It’s Raven.”

For a moment, I stood frozen, the warmth of the morning seeming to drain away. Why was he here?

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the door. Raven stood there, his expression unreadable, his presence as familiar as it was unwelcome.

“Crystal,” he began, his voice is surprisingly sweet and coaxing. “We need to talk.”

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.