In the Arms of Another

I had barely set my phone aside when Ross Jenner called.

"Jennifer, are you done throwing your tantrum? We invited you and Diana to Fellaton with good intentions. You're late, and I'll let that slide, but why did you leave that comment on my Twitter? My siblings came all the way from Bulgoria to welcome you, and Laurel even prepared a home-cooked meal for you even though she's sick."

I listened to his angry words in silence, my heart completely dead at that moment as I looked at my mother's body.

When he finished speaking, I calmly responded, "It's not appropriate for us to spend Valentine's Day together. You two go ahead and enjoy the meal."

"What did you say?" Ross's voice immediately rose in anger. "The reason I invited you here was to discuss our marriage. If you're going to act like this, forget about the wedding."

"Fine, as you wish." I agreed without hesitation. "Let's break up."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

Ross and I had met at work in Ameesia. We had encountered all kinds of problems a couple would in our five years of dating, but we had never mentioned breaking up.

Ross seemed unable to comprehend what I had just said. After a pause, he asked, "Do you even know what you're saying?"

I softly replied, "I do."

Just then, Laurel Elledge's voice came through the phone.

"Ross, can you help me find some painkillers? I think I might have a fever."

Ross immediately became worried and hung up. Before doing so, he said one last thing to me.

"Jennifer, you initiated this. I hope you don't regret this in the end."

Staring at the phone as the call ended, I silently put it away.

I handled all the necessary arrangements by myself, bringing my mother's body back home for her funeral.

For the next couple of weeks, Ross didn't reach out once. It was as if he had completely vanished from my life.

I occasionally checked Twitter, but Ross hadn't posted a single update. Meanwhile, Laurel was posting almost every day.

Petra Tower, Renaissance Hall, Imperial Galleria...

In every photo, Ross and Laurel were touring all of Fellaton's famous landmarks together.

The comments under their photos were full of enthusiasm.

[Finally, Ross and his dream girl are together.]

[Wow, Laurel, you and Ross are so perfect for each other.]

[I can't wait for the wedding! I'll be your best man!]

I recognized many names in those comments—people who were once friends of both Ross and me.

If this had been before, I would have felt hurt, angry, and probably fought with Ross. But now, nothing stirred inside me.

On a quiet weekend, I stayed home alone, snacking on chips and watching TV.

In the evening, Ross suddenly appeared.

I glanced up at him briefly but didn't speak. Instead, I redirected my focus to the TV.

He walked over, towering over me, and said casually, "What's wrong? Haven't heard from you in a while. Are you mad at me? I haven't seen you in so long. I really want to hug you."

He spoke in that familiar sweet tone, bending toward me.

I smelled the woman's fragrance on him and instinctively recoiled in disgust, turning my body away.

Ross froze mid-motion.

In the past, whenever we fought, his gentle embrace always managed to calm me no matter how angry I was.

Ross straightened up, frowning deeply.

"What's your problem now?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I stood up and moved to the nearby couch, putting some space between us.

His expression soured further, as he impatiently tried to explain.

"I shouldn't have let you and Diana take a cab that day. I admit I was wrong about that. But Laurel was sick. Would you rather I left her, a sick person, just to pick you up? My family did everything to welcome you, but you didn't show up. Do you know how much that hurt my family? I did everything I could to explain to them, or else my parents would never approve of our marriage."

He pulled out an envelope from his bag.

"Inside, there's the wedding ring my parents prepared for us, along with the honeymoon fund. They want us to get married in a month. Please take care of the wedding arrangements. I'll call Diana shortly. She'll be thrilled."

I took the envelope from him and placed it aside, not interested in looking at it.

"Ross, we've broken up. And from now on, don't call my mother. She won't be answering your calls."