"Hayden!" I call out, and there he stands, the man I had fallen deeply in love with.

"What do you want, Allison? I'm swamped with work, and you know if I stop, there won't be enough money for your books and stuff," he retorts, dressed in his usual suit. His hair is neatly styled, except for when he's at work, meticulously slicked back with gel, a style I'm not particularly fond of. At this moment, though, I yearn to run my fingers through his tousled locks, a gesture he always enjoys.

"Do you know where my ring went? I'm sure I left it on the nightstand, but it's vanished," I explain, searching for my mother's cherished ring, a sentimental keepsake she gave me before I departed. Hayden rolls his eyes, heading towards the nightstand where I had fruitlessly scoured. He opens the drawer and retrieves a small black box, approaching me with my hand extended.

"You really need to be more observant, love," he teases. I open the box, and there it gleams—my mother's ring. A smile lights up my face as I gaze at my husband.

"What would I do without you?" I muse. He shrugs playfully, a mischievous grin adorning his features.

"Who knows? Perhaps you'd lose everything until there's nothing left to lose," he quips, prompting a chuckle from me. I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers entwined in his hair, soothingly massaging his scalp. His eyes flutter closed, and he emits a soft groan of contentment.

"You know I love you, right?" I inquire. He smiles, his gunmetal blue eyes fixed on me. "Of course, I do. Do you know that I love you?" I feign contemplation, then shrug lightly.

"I'm not sure." He places his forehead against mine. "Well, I love you. I love you to the moon and back." I giggle at his endearing words.

"I love you to the sun and back," I declare. He rolls his eyes affectionately. I extended my pinky finger to him.

"Promise to love me tomorrow?" I implore. He extends his own pinky finger, entwining it with mine.

"I promise to love you tomorrow," he vows. And with that, he kisses me passionately, our mouths melding together, tongues intertwining. Hayden pulls me closer, each kiss deepening my adoration for him. Countless reasons fill my heart as to why I love him. I love him to the sun and back.

One year later...

I sigh, growing increasingly anxious as I wait for Hayden to return home. Today is our anniversary, and I had eagerly anticipated his arrival after work. However, hours have passed beyond his expected time, and it's now eleven o'clock. Worry seeps into my thoughts as I instinctively check my phone for any messages or calls from him, only to find an empty inbox. Another sigh escapes my lips, a mixture of disappointment and concern.

Suddenly, the door swings open, revealing Hayden's figure.

"Hayden," I call out as I approach the front door. His gaze meets mine, his eyes betraying a sense of darkness.

"What?" he responds curtly. My attention shifts to his disheveled appearance, with wrinkled clothes, a hint of an unfamiliar scent, and an unkempt hairstyle that appears as if he has just completed a rigorous workout.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you to come home," I inquire, observing his behavior closely. Irritation fills me as I notice him rolling his eyes, a reaction that stirs my anger. I had planned a surprise for him, something I had hidden away for weeks, hoping to unveil it on this special day for us.

"I'm tired, Allison. I just finished work, and I can't deal with your nonsense right now," he replies wearily. My eyes widen at his response, as Hayden has always avoided using such language in my presence. I despise profanity, not for religious reasons, but simply because I find it distasteful.

"I apologize. I had expected you to remember our fifth anniversary, especially since your shift ended hours ago. Don't lie to me. Now, tell me, where have you been?" I demand, seeking answers about his whereabouts on this important day. Frustration resonates in his groan as he rubs his face.

"I was out," he mutters before heading upstairs. Determined to understand his actions, I followed him, my desire for clarity intensifying.

"Hayden, tell me where you have been," I press, a hint of urgency in my voice. I yearn to uncover the reasons behind his recent odd behavior, the early departures, late returns, sudden silence, and refusal to let me touch him. Sometimes, he doesn't even come home until morning, further fueling my concerns. Is he pulling away from me? Is he hiding something? I simply seek the truth, longing for answers, questioning if my actions have caused this change or if something else is at play.

I wait with increasing anxiety for Hayden's return, my anticipation heightening as our anniversary unfolds. However, the hours have surpassed his expected arrival time, and now it's already eleven o'clock. Disappointment and concern intertwine within me, compelling me to check my phone for any sign of his contact, only to find my inbox empty. Another sigh escapes my lips, reflecting my mixed emotions.

The door swings open, unveiling Hayden's silhouette. "Hayden," I call out as I approach the entrance. Our gazes meet, but his eyes hold a shadowed intensity.

"What?" he retorts curtly. My attention shifts to his disheveled appearance—wrinkled clothes, a faint scent foreign to me, and a disheveled hairstyle that suggests an intense workout.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for your return," I inquire, closely studying his demeanor. Irritation prickles within me as I witness his eye roll, igniting my anger. I had diligently planned a surprise, hidden away for weeks, intending to unveil it on this special day between us.

"I'm tired, Allison. I've just finished work, and I don't have the energy for your issues right now," he wearily responds. His words catch me off guard, as profanity rarely surfaces in our conversations. It's not a matter of religious beliefs but a personal distaste for such a language.

"I apologize. I expected you to remember our fifth anniversary, especially since your shift ended hours ago. Please don't deceive me. Tell me, where have you been?" I demand, yearning for answers regarding his whereabouts on this significant day. A groan escapes him, accompanied by a weary face-rubbing motion. "I was out," he mumbles before making his way upstairs.

Determined to unravel the truth behind his recent odd behavior—early departures, late returns, bouts of silence, and his aversion to physical touch—I follow him, my quest for clarity intensifying.

"Hayden, please disclose where you've been," I press, my voice betraying a touch of urgency. I long to comprehend the reasons behind this change—whether he is pulling away from me or concealing something. His occasional late-night returns only fuel my worries. Are my actions to blame? Or is there something more at play? I yearn for honesty and seek answers, desperate to understand the truth.

Upon Hayden's arrival, he spotted me seated in the dining room. I met his gaze and spoke softly, "I had a conversation with a lawyer today. Tomorrow, both of us will sign the necessary paperwork. We will discuss everything with the lawyer present." The way he conveyed this information, coupled with his urgency to distance himself from me, only deepened the pain.

Suppressing my tears, I simply nodded. He walked away, heading towards his room. In response, I reached for my phone and called my parents, explaining the situation to them.

My father assured me that he would pick me up once the divorce papers were signed. While I knew I couldn't reside with them indefinitely, for now, it offered a temporary refuge. I remained seated at the dining table, contemplating my next steps and attempting to formulate a plan.

Eventually, I rose from my seat and retreated to the guest room, seeking solace as I lay down, embracing a pillow tightly. The weight of my love for him became unbearable. Once again, tears streamed down my face as I drifted off into a fitful slumber.

The divorce lawyer arrived, and we all convened at the dinner table, papers strewn before us.

"Based on the documents I have reviewed, it appears that Mr. Robinson transferred one million dollars to Mrs. Robinson's account, as stipulated in the prenuptial agreement. Additionally, the house is registered under Mr. Robinson's name. Is this information accurate?" Hayden nodded, displaying no signs of perturbation. Meanwhile, I kept my head bowed, withdrawing into myself. My father had called, informing me of his arrival within the hour. He would arrive with a moving truck and a team of movers to assist with packing my belongings.

"Is there anything else I should be aware of?" The lawyer inquired, producing a stack of papers adorned with stickers indicating the designated signature areas.

"Mr. Robinson, please sign where the blue arrows indicate. Afterward, Mrs. Robinson, you will sign where the red arrows point." I nodded in acknowledgment. Hayden swiftly affixed his signature to the documents. With hesitation, I followed suit. Once I had completed the signatures, I left the room, avoiding any further contact with either of them.

Making my way back to the guest room, I prepared myself for the inevitable. I returned to our previous room, gathering the items I had overlooked. Unable to resist the sentimental pull, I gathered some photographs of Hayden and me, as well as a cherished photo album I had created. Placing them carefully into boxes, I realized there was nothing left for me here.

At that moment, my father's call interrupted the silence, indicating his presence outside. I rushed out of the house, running toward my father. Crumbling into his embrace, I unleashed my tears, seeking solace in his comforting arms.

"It's okay, baby. It's okay," he whispered into my ear as he held me tightly. Desperately, I yearned for this to be a horrendous dream from which I would awaken.

"He doesn't love me, Daddy. He doesn't love me," I sobbed, my voice laden with anguish. He tenderly stroked my back, maintaining a firm grip. "It's okay. I'm here now. Hayden won't hurt you anymore," he reassured me. I nodded, acknowledging his words.

Subsequently, a team of movers arrived and loaded my belongings onto a sizable truck. Meanwhile, Hayden awaited my departure in the living room. Once everything was packed, my father informed me that he would be waiting in the car as I bid my final farewell.

Stepping into the living room, I gazed at Hayden, yearning to reveal my surprise to him. However, I couldn't bear the emotional weight it carried. I knew he would likely reject me and want no part in what I had planned.

"I'm sorry, Hayden. I sincerely apologize for whatever I may have done," I uttered, locking eyes with him. His expression remained impassive as he returned my gaze. I shifted my attention to my left hand, lifting it slowly. With a heavy heart, I removed my rings, placing them delicately on the coffee table.

"I genuinely hope you find happiness, Hayden. I hope you discover the right person to love. Please forgive me, as I forgive you," I expressed, though the pain in my words was palpable. Despite the anguish, I still loved him, and I would miss him dearly. He would forever remain a part of me.

"Goodbye, Hayden," I whispered for the last time, a solitary tear escaping my eye as I turned away. Exiting the house, I joined my father in the car. As we drove off, I glanced back at the shrinking image of the house, until it vanished from sight. That was the moment when my life transformed. That was when I shattered.

Two years have passed, two seemingly endless years since my divorce. Barely a week had gone by when I discovered that Hayden had been involved with another woman, his secretary no less. To make matters worse, a friend informed me that he had been unfaithful throughout our marriage, for months on end. Suddenly, it all made sense. His desire for a divorce, his peculiar behavior—everything stemmed from his lack of love for me and his infidelity. The revelation only intensified my pain.

For three weeks, I cried ceaselessly, finding no solace despite my father's attempts to console me. He encouraged me to rise above the situation, not allowing one person to ruin my future entirely. Fueled by his words, I embarked on a journey to rebuild my life, securing a job at a flower shop just one month later. The role brought me immense joy and fulfillment.

Additionally, I sought refuge with my unwavering best friend, who had stood by my side throughout the divorce, providing unwavering support.

Two years have elapsed, yet thoughts of Hayden persist. Memories of our shared happiness, the love we once cherished, they haunt me. I still love him, despite the anguish I feel when I see him with another woman.

We haven't spoken, and as for the million dollars, I haven't touched a dime of it. But what shattered me further was revealing to my father the surprise I had prepared for Hayden—a surprise that I was carrying his child. My father attempted to support and assist me, but nothing could alleviate the pain. I was consumed by stress, endless nights filled with tears. And amidst the agony and strain, I tragically lost my baby. The loss of my child left me devastated. I didn't reach out to Hayden—I knew he wouldn't care, that he wouldn't want any part of me.

And so, I grieved for my baby, shedding more tears. I loved Hayden, and I often envision a different life where we hadn't divorced and where my baby survived. We would be a contented family today. Yet, that reality eludes us. The depth of my love for him persists, while I remain burdened with a deceased child and a broken heart, while he carries on with a woman he genuinely loves.

My friend Dorothy played a crucial role in helping me heal. Every day, we light a candle in honor of my baby, knowing that they are in a better place, where they can flourish in heaven.

It pains me, however, to acknowledge that the two people I loved the most are no longer a part of my life. I still yearn for a happy life with Hayden, clinging to the memories of our profound love. Upon waking, I hope for his presence, but he remains absent. My life has undergone profound change. Five years were spent on a man who didn't love me, and I miss him dearly.

As I carefully trim the flower stems and arrange them in a beautiful glass vase, my thoughts wander. My boss, Giselle, notices my preoccupied state and asks if I'm okay while tending to the flowers herself.

I offer a reassuring nod and reply, "Just lost in my thoughts. Nothing to worry about." Setting the flowers aside, I dispose of the trimmings and other debris. Giselle speaks up again, concern etched on her face.

I've confided in her about Hayden and everything I've been through, and she's been a source of support.

"It's been two years, Allison. He's moved on, and maybe it's time for you to do the same." I shake my head, feeling conflicted.

Despite Hayden moving on, I don't feel ready. It feels like a betrayal, even though he had already moved on himself. "I know. I just need more time," I admit, and Giselle simply nods understandingly. Our conversation is interrupted by a customer entering the store. I assist the customer while Giselle tends to the shop. Eventually, the store closes after three hours.

Heading home to my best friend, Dorothy, I find her in the living room, engrossed in a bag of chips and watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory.

I love that show too. I sit down next to her, playfully taking the chips from her hands. "Hey! I was eating those!" she protests, wearing an annoyed expression. I shrug and continue munching.

"So, how was work?" I ask casually. Dorothy rolls her eyes dramatically.

"Don't get me started. I dealt with three angry customers, an angry manager, and an angry boss. And Ingrid kept messing up the orders. It was a nightmare," she vents, her frustration evident. I frown sympathetically, well aware of the stress that comes with working at a diner.

'"Well, at least you have tomorrow off. Maybe you can come visit me, and during my break, we can go out for lunch. My treat," I suggest, trying to lighten the mood. Dorothy looks at me and nods, a smile gracing her face.