He was silent for a long time, then said
something unexpected.
He was in the wedding hotel’s parking lot. “Grace, I’ll wait for you.
“”
I hung up and realized how he found me.
Chapter 2
Years ago, a couple’s app that let you track
each other’s location was all the rage.
After much nagging, Jack reluctantly installed
- it.
That night, we had a huge fight.
He called me a psycho for tricking him into
^
installing such a privacy–invading app.
But I’d clearly told him the location–sharing
could be turned off.
Later, I learned he’d been at a dinner with
friends, and when they found out about the
app, they teased him about being henpecked.
So he came home, yelled at me until I cried,
then smugly turned off the location feature.
Years later, I didn’t expect Jack to stoop to
the level he’d once despised to find me.
I deleted the app and rejoined the wedding
festivities.
At 1 AM, Jack came home alone. He hadn’t
waited for me in the parking lot.
He’d prepared a candlelit dinner and
scattered rose petals, but everything was
untouched. He thought I hadn’t come home,
but when he opened the bedroom door, he
found me asleep.
Once, I loved surprising loved ones.
<
But Jack hated surprises.
One year, for his birthday, I asked his parents
about his favorite things and food, and I
gathered friends and family for a party.
But he didn’t show.
Everyone left disappointed, and only then did
he come home.
He said he knew my plan.
He’d stayed away, letting me apologize to
everyone, watching me clean up alone.
It was a lesson, he said. He needed a hot
meal after a long day, not a childish romantic
dinner.
I thought he was just a straight–laced guy
who hated romance.
But then I saw the graduation gift he gave Lily
a hand–drawn and printed fairytale book.
He wasn’t incapable of romance, he just
didn’t want to be romantic with me.
“Honey, are you asleep?”
Without a response, Jack got into bed, gently
pulling me into his arms.
I’d accepted his proposal partly because his
hugs always made me feel safe and happy.
Now, that feeling was probably just his
physique. A taller, better–looking guy would
probably feel better.
My heart wasn’t with him anymore.
But he kept apologizing, his voice hoarse:
“Nena, I’m sorry. You’re the kindest angel.
Forgive me.
Please, let’s not divorce.
I can’t imagine life without you. I love you.”
Feeling his hand wander, I turned on the
bedside lamp.
“Jack, don’t touch me.”
…Nena, I just want to hold you.‘
“But I don’t want to be held.”
I broke free, walked towards the door, when he grabbed me from behind and pinned me
Г
against the wall.
“Grace, let’s have a baby?”
It sounded like a question, but his eagerness
revealed his selfishness. I’d hinted and
outright asked for a baby for years, and he
always brushed me off, citing his career.
I laughed.
“Jack, get off me, or I’ll call the cops.
“You won’t…‘
