Linda, Brian's mother, had always looked down on me since I had no family backing after my fallout with my own.
Even as we planned our wedding, she suggested he date around a bit more. I knew but trusted Brian enough not to confront it.
Little did I expect that she'd set up a blind date so soon after our split.
"You're still here? Clinging to my son like some deadbeat?" Linda's glare was like she was evicting a squatter.
Brian came at the sound and quickly ushered Linda inside, ignoring my dismay.
"She'll be done packing soon. When's Rosie coming?" he asked, barely containing his excitement.
Rosie? I knew her from Brian's contacts as a distant cousin he hadn't spoken to in ages. I had never doubted his word. Turns out, she was the date Linda had arranged.
My eyes widened in shock as I looked at Brian, who initially seemed guilty but quickly adopted a smug expression as if affirming his superiority that I couldn't compare.
I wanted to fight back, to argue, but realized it was futile—better to just cut my losses.
While packing, I flipped through our travel albums. What used to be cherished memories now seemed like mere distractions during his search for something better.
"Ding-dong!"