The early days of starting a business were brutal – so much so that we’d share a single plate of spaghetti while staring at blueprints, dreaming about the future.
The taste of the spaghetti, mixed with our tears, was all we could afford.
When things got a little better and we finally had a bit of extra money, Jack would secretly check out the travel guides I’d made for nearby towns and plan short trips for us.
He would also take me for bike rides by the beach after dinner, helping me unwind.
That’s the kind of man Jack was. If anyone ever bullied me, he’d throw punches without hesitation, no matter the consequences.
I loved Jack. I loved everything about him.
I loved the sense of security he gave me, the way he always tilted the umbrella towards me, making sure I stayed dry while he braved the rain.
So when he finally confessed his feelings to me, I didn’t hesitate to say yes, collapsing into his arms in tears.
That was the fifth year we’d known each other – the first year we were together.
Everyone around us believed we’d stay in love for the rest of our lives.
Until today, I had believed that too. I was sure we’d be together forever, even if the world crumbled around us.