A trip with my college friend was supposed to save my marriage, but her hidden motives left me questioning everything I thought I knew. By the time I realized her true intentions, I was on the brink of losing it all.
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We used to stay up late, sharing stories and planning spontaneous weekend trips just because we wanted to. Those moments felt like fragments of a distant past.
There was an empty vase on the kitchen counter like a silent reminder of the flowers he used to bring home “just because.”
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***
One afternoon, while shopping, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Lauren! Is that you?”
I turned and saw Vivian, my college friend. She radiated energy like a burst of color in my otherwise gray world.
“Vivian!” I exclaimed, surprised to see her.
We hugged, and for a moment, it was as if the years melted away. Vivian had always been full of bold ideas and stories.
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“So,” she asked, “how’s life? Still with Michael?”
“Yes, we’re… still together,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Life’s just… well, it’s gotten a bit routine, you know? Nothing like the excitement of your life.”
“Routine, huh? Well, maybe it’s time you shook things up!”
She reached into her purse and pulled out two plane tickets.
“My ex and I were supposed to go to Spain. But since I’m single now, I’ve got a spare ticket. You should come with me!”
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“Vivian, I don’t know…” I began, though my voice sounded weak even to me. “I haven’t traveled in years, not on my own.”
She smiled knowingly, giving me a little nudge.
“Lauren, you deserve to live a little. Just one week. Spain. Sun, markets, beaches. No routines, just freedom.”
The idea of breaking away, even for a short while, felt both terrifying and exhilarating.
“All right,” I said softly, a hint of excitement breaking through my hesitation.
Vivian grinned wide. “Spain, here we come!”
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***
The trip felt like a dream from the very moment we landed. Spain was alive with color, and every corner seemed to hum with life. Vivian was practically bouncing with excitement as she pulled me along from one spot to another.
“Oh, Lauren, look at those scarves!” Vivian squealed as we wandered through a bustling market. “And those earrings — they’re so you!”
I laughed, actually feeling the joy bubble up from somewhere deep inside.
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“I don’t know, Vivian. Since when are bright red scarves ‘so me’?”
“Since today!” she declared, holding the scarf up to my face with a dramatic flair. “Come on, you need some color in your life!”
She was right. Everything felt more vivid here — the rich scents of spices in the air and the colorful stalls. I allowed myself to get lost in it.
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We moved on to a little café nearby. The air smelled of fresh pastries and coffee, and we settled into a cozy corner. Vivian took a sip of her coffee, watching me closely over the rim of her cup.
“Do you ever wonder, Lauren,” she began slowly, “how things ended up this way? Like, when did life get so… predictable?”
I sighed, looking down at my cup. “Michael barely even sees me. Even when I’m far away from him, he never texts or calls.”
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“That’s hard. I get it, you know. It’s lonely.”
“It’s like I’m on autopilot. I just… I don’t know. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m even the same person he fell in love with.”
Vivian squeezed my hand. “You’ve been putting yourself last for so long, and this is your chance. This trip is just what you needed.”
“I almost forgot how good it feels to just… let go.”
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After we finished our coffee, we decided to take a slow walk back to our hotel. Then, out of nowhere, I saw a face I hadn’t thought about in years.
My steps slowed, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Jake — my ex-boyfriend! He was walking toward us.
“Lauren?” he asked, his eyes widening with surprise.
I felt half delight, half shock. “Jake! Wow, I can’t believe it. What are the odds?”
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He laughed with that same charming smile that had once been so irresistible. “I never thought I’d see you here! Are you on vacation?”
“Yes, actually,” I said, glancing at Vivian, who watched us with a knowing smile. “This is my friend, Vivian.”
“Nice to meet you, Vivian,” Jake said, extending a hand. “I can’t believe I’m running into you here, Lauren. It’s been… what, ten years?”
“Feels like a lifetime,” I replied, feeling a little rush of nostalgia.
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He suddenly glanced at his watch. “Listen, I’d love to hear more about what you’ve been up to. How about dinner? Just to catch up, of course.”
I hesitated, the word NO was on the tip of my tongue. But then I felt Vivian’s hand on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze.
“Go on, Lauren,” she whispered. “It’s just dinner. No harm in a little catching up, right?”
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I hadn’t heard from Michael in the last few days, and a part of me needed some attention. “Sure. Dinner sounds nice.”
“Great,” he smiled.
As soon as Jake was out of sight, Vivian let out a laugh and nudged me playfully.
“Well, that was a twist! Your ex, here in Spain? This has all the makings of a great story!”
“Oh, come on, Viv,” I rolled my eyes. “It’s just dinner. We’re friends now. That was… ages ago.”
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She raised an eyebrow, giving me a teasing look. “Uh-huh. I believe you. Just friends.”
“I mean, I love Michael. I just… I wanted to see what that part of my life looks like now through different eyes.”
“Exactly!” she said, clapping her hands. “And that’s why you’re going to go have a nice dinner and enjoy yourself! Just live a little, Lauren.”
“Okay, okay,” I laughed, giving in. “You win.”
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***
The evening with Jake felt like opening a time capsule. We laughed about old memories and shared stories, and for a while, I let myself relax, almost forgetting the life I’d left back home.
“You know,” Jake said, leaning back in his chair, “I never thought I’d run into you here, of all places.”
“Neither did I,” I replied, smiling. “It’s strange, isn’t it? Like… a piece of the past coming back.”
“You haven’t changed much, Lauren.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I have. Life has a way of doing that.”
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“Not entirely,” he said softly, reaching across the table to take my hand.
I froze, glancing down at our hands. But before I could react, he leaned forward and kissed me.
For a brief moment, I let myself fall into that familiar feeling. But almost as quickly, guilt surged up, pulling me back.
“Jake, I…” I stammered, pulling away. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
I left in a rush and stopped at the hotel bar to get a double espresso before telling Vivian everything.
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***
But as I walked into the room, I saw Vivian packing her bags with a hard, almost mechanical look on her face.
“Vivian? What’s going on?”
She looked up, her expression cold. “Oh, just getting ready to leave,” she replied casually.
“Why now?!”
Vivian’s lips twisted into a slight smile as she held up her phone. “I took a little ‘souvenir’ for Michael. Sent him a photo of you and Jake.”
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“You… what?! Why would you do that?”
She shrugged, slipping her phone into her bag. “Because, Lauren, I’m done standing in your shadow. It’s my turn now.”
“Vivian, this doesn’t make any sense! You’re my friend!”
“Friend? Maybe once. But now I’m Michael’s assistant. And the photo is my chance to be his support, to take your place.”
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She swung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.
“Vivian, wait!” I called, but she didn’t turn back.
She left me in silence, thousands of miles from home, unable to explain anything to Michael.
***
Coming home, my nerves were on edge. My stomach twisted as I unlocked the door. It was Michael’s birthday.
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A part of me wished he was out so I wouldn’t have to face him right away, but I knew avoiding this wouldn’t help. The house was silent. There was no sign of him — just a note he left on the table:
“6 p.m. Our place.”
Our place. My heart sank. I hadn’t been to that restaurant in years. I was scared that things had gone too far to fix. But I had to go.
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I walked into the restaurant at 6 p.m. sharp. Michael was there, standing by our old table, holding a bouquet of roses and a small gift box in his hand. His expression softened as he saw me, and I felt my heart skip.
“Lauren,” he greeted me.
“Hi, Michael…”
He took a seat across from me, setting the roses down. “You know, I was… hurt when I saw that photo.” He paused, searching my face. “But I didn’t believe it. I know you. And I know Vivian — or at least, I recognized her from that old photo of you two. I started to put things together.”
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I looked down, shame washing over me. “I don’t know how to say I’m sorry enough. I didn’t even realize how much I needed a break or how far we’d drifted.”
“I’m not innocent in this, Lauren. I let work take over, and I let you slip into the background. That’s my fault, too.”
I felt a tear slip down my cheek. “I missed you, Michael. I missed us.”
He squeezed my hand gently. “Me too. And that’s why… I fired her. I wasn’t going to let someone come between us, especially not when I’m the one who should have been paying more attention.”
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I managed a small smile. “So… what now?”
Michael handed me the small gift box. “This is my promise to you that things will be different. I’m ready to make it right.”
Inside the box was a delicate bracelet with a tiny heart charm. My heart swelled as I looked up at him, seeing the man I had fallen in love with still here, still willing to try.
“Michael,” I whispered, “I love you. And… there’s something else.”
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He raised an eyebrow. I took a deep breath and held his hand tightly.
“I’m pregnant.”
His face broke into a joyful, disbelieving smile. “You’re… we’re going to have a baby?”
I nodded, and he pulled me into a tight hug. In that moment, all my doubts and fears melted away. We had a future to build, stronger than before, and we were ready to begin it together.
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