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.

As the evening wore on, Dorothy and I eventually grew weary and retired to our respective beds. However, sleep eluded me. My mind couldn't help but wander back to Hayden.

The last I had heard, he was traversing the world, expanding his successful business ventures. I found solace in knowing that he was pursuing his passions. I remained unsure whether he was still with his former secretary or anyone else. It pained me to acknowledge that he had moved on, and it stung even more to reflect on the loss of my baby.

Deep down, I knew Hayden would never have wanted to keep the child. It was just one of the many unfortunate aspects of our relationship. Despite everything, I still loved him. He wasn't my first romantic partner or my first kiss, but he was my first love, my first marriage. I had once believed that he would be my forever, my one and only.

I shake my head, realizing the naivety of my dreams. Every marriage has its flaws, and sometimes those flaws become irreparable. There are moments when I sift through old photographs, reminiscing about the happier times we shared.

I can't deny that I miss him, even though he shattered my heart into countless pieces. I've added new pictures to the album, capturing the precious moments of my baby. Ultrasound images that depict my son's growth. Sometimes I ponder whether it was the right decision to keep my child a secret from Hayden, knowing they will never have the chance to meet.

I doubt it would have changed anything. After all, Hayden doesn't love me. I wasted five years of my life on someone who ultimately broke my heart. But in truth, I've wasted even more years since the day we met and began dating. All those years, gone.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. It was impossible to hold back the flood of emotions that overwhelmed me. All those heartfelt declarations of love, all the affection I poured into our relationship, all of it felt wasted. My love, my life, my dreams, shattered by the actions of one man. I loved him with every fiber of my being. I loved him beyond measure, but he couldn't reciprocate that love. In truth, I'm not sure he loved me at all. I never imagined my life would come to this. When we were married, I played the role of a devoted housewife, while Hayden worked as the provider.

He would always tell me he loved me before leaving for work, and every time he returned home, he would announce his arrival with a cheerful "Honey, I'm home!" I would eagerly rush to him, longing for his presence. And I still do. I yearn for the sensation of running my fingers through his hair, embracing him tightly. I miss his touch and the way he held me in his arms before we slept.

I miss the charming disarray of his hair and the comforting scent of burnt wood that clung to him. I miss how he never failed to remind me of his love, even though I knew it deep down, and how he would surprise me with thoughtful gifts on occasions when his words alone weren't enough.

And I ache for his kisses and the way he uttered my name with a tenderness that made it feel like each time could be our last. I miss him, oh how I miss him. And so, with a heavy heart, I cried myself to sleep, clutching my pillow tightly, desperately attempting to suppress the memories of the person I once loved.

...

I woke up early and prepared breakfast for both Dorothy and myself. Knowing she had the day off, I anticipated her sleeping in, so I made her some toast and eggs and placed them in the fridge. After getting ready for work, I grabbed my keys and drove to the flower shop, making a quick stop at a coffee shop along the way for a cup of steaming coffee.

Upon parking at the flower shop, I entered, greeted by the familiar sound of the ringing bell. "Good morning, Allison," Giselle greeted me. I smiled in return. "Morning. I brought you some coffee," I said, holding up the cup. She eagerly took it, sipping and expressing her satisfaction with a contented hum.

"Today, we have a client coming in for another wedding," Giselle informed me. I couldn't help but roll my eyes. It's not that I hate weddings, considering I had one myself, but some women can be quite demanding when it comes to flower choices and arrangements.

Personally, I wasn't overly particular about the flowers for my own wedding. I chose roses, daisies, gardenias, and daffodils, among others, and knew exactly what I wanted before visiting the flower shop, specifying the quantities I needed.

However, many women who come in tend to expect the best and often request more or express dissatisfaction even when we provide excellent service. I then donned a white apron with the store logo in the corner.

"When are they scheduled to arrive?" I inquired.

"Around one, just an hour before your break. Is that alright?" Giselle confirmed. I nodded in agreement, and together, we began our work. Throughout the morning, several customers entered the shop, with the majority of them being men. Contrary to popular belief, it's often men who purchase flowers, whether for dates, anniversaries, or family occasions.

Women typically come in for weddings, to buy flowers for friends, family, or decorations, as you don't often see women buying roses for men. It was heartwarming to witness couples exploring the shop, reminiscing about Hayden and the times he would buy me flowers for our anniversary or whenever I felt down. He even surprised me with flowers on our very first date. I quickly shook off those thoughts, banishing memories of Hayden and our shared moments from my mind.

A woman entered the shop, striding confidently in a business suit and elegant black pumps. She clutched a phone in one hand, engrossed in texting, while her other hand grasped a fancy black purse. Despite having once been married to wealth, I remained unfamiliar with the world of expensive purses and luxury items. Hayden knew that I despised flaunting wealth, which is why I always opted for casual clothes from affordable stores that suited my style.

It was not the same style the woman embodied. "I'm here for an appointment regarding my wedding," she stated with a firm and assertive tone. Her voice reminded me of how Hayden used to talk to everyone except me, or when our love had faded during our marriage.

"Certainly. Please follow me," I replied, gesturing for her to follow as I led her to our meeting room. We both took a seat around a white table, and Giselle joined us shortly after, sitting next to me.

"Hello, I'm Giselle, and this is one of my employees. I understand you need flowers for your wedding. Do you have any preferences in mind regarding the type and quantity of flowers?" Giselle inquired professionally. The woman nodded, opening a folder and presenting a selection of flowers that seemed oddly familiar.

"I would like these flowers, and I'll need a few thousand of them," she declared. Giselle and I examined the photos. The woman's demands were quite extensive.

"And what colors do you require?" Giselle asked.

The woman replied, "I need them in white, blue, purple, yellow, and orange." Giselle jotted down the details in her notepad.

"Very well. These flowers will come at a significant cost. The total price for them will amount to a few thousand dollars," Giselle stated. The woman simply nodded, unaffected by the price. Giselle made further notes in her pad.

"When would you like the flowers to be ready for pickup?" Giselle asked. The woman paused, contemplating her response.

"I'd like them to be ready in about three weeks, but five weeks at the latest. My wedding is next month, and I want everything to be prepared," she replied. Giselle and I acknowledged her request with a nod.

"Is there anything else?" Giselle inquired. The woman shook her head, and we all rose from our seats, exchanging handshakes. As the woman departed, a sense of relief washed over me.

"That woman is quite intimidating," I confided in Giselle, who nodded in agreement.

"She needs to relax. I hope the man she's marrying matches her temperament, or else I pity him," Giselle remarked. I nodded. The woman didn't seem to exude any joy or lightheartedness, much like Hayden. He always carried an imposing aura that intimidated others.

However, he would reveal his gentle side to me and would laugh freely when away from work or situations that threatened his image as a stern CEO. At times, I wondered if his kindness toward me was merely a façade, if he truly loved me.

"Well, let's ensure we handle the flowers properly and keep them in perfect condition. I must admit, I'm not a fan of weddings," Giselle said as we exited the meeting room. I nodded in agreement. My own wedding was significant but not extravagant. I opted for an outdoor ceremony because I adored nature-inspired weddings. The venue was beautiful, and the candlelight and carefully arranged lighting created a stunning ambiance as darkness fell, captivating everyone present.