I'LL TAKE VANESSA HOME

That morning, I woke up slowly, my head aching, my chest tight. I did not even remember how I fell asleep. All I remembered was crying until my body gave up. Crying until my eyes burned and my heart felt numb.

I turned to the side of the bed out of habit.

Cold.

The space beside me was untouched.

James did not come back last night.

My throat tightened as my eyes fell on the pregnancy test paper lying quietly on the bed. It was still there, right where I had left it. That meant he never came in. If he had, he would have seen it. Maybe everything would have changed if he had seen it. Or maybe I was just fooling myself again.

I slowly sat up and walked to the mirror. The woman staring back at me looked unfamiliar. Dark circles framed my eyes. My face was pale. My eyes were swollen and dull. I looked exhausted, broken, and far older than I actually was.

I was so tired.

My phone suddenly made a soft ping sound. I reached for it weakly and checked the notification. It was from our college group chat.

Class reunion today.

I frowned and opened the messages, only to regret it immediately.

“Vanessa is back.”

“Whoa.”

“Has James heard about it?”

I let out a bitter laugh.

Why wouldn’t James hear about it?

“I heard he picked her up last night.”

My fingers trembled as I scrolled.

“Wow. Check her page.”

My heart sank. I rushed to Vanessa’s profile and searched frantically. It was true. She had posted something, but it was already deleted. I did not even get the chance to see it, yet everyone was already talking about it.

I tossed my phone onto the bed, my chest tightening painfully.

I could not go to work looking like this. There was no way I could face anyone today. I worked at a small company, nothing glamorous, but I loved my job. It made me feel useful. Independent.

I called my boss and told him I could not make it this morning. He was surprised but understanding. He knew me. I was always hardworking, always punctual.

James had tried so many times to force me to quit that job and stay home. He wanted me to just relax, he said. He even threatened my boss once. But I refused. I pleaded back then, insisting that I wanted to work. Eventually, he stopped forcing me.

I sighed softly as I walked toward my wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear, even though I had no idea what the day would bring.

Later that day, James called.

“Prepare yourself,” he said casually. “We’re going for a class reunion.”

My heart skipped. “Are you coming to pick me?”

“Yes,” he replied without hesitation.

I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding. For a brief moment, relief washed over me. I thought he was going to take Vanessa instead.

That evening, he arrived already dressed. The moment he stepped closer, I smelled it.

A different perfume.

It was not His.

But I said nothing. I swallowed the pain and walked out quietly.

“Why didn’t you wear the sequins gown I bought for you last year?” he asked, glancing at me.

“I don’t like it,” I replied simply.

He stared at me for a moment.

I wore a beautiful contour dress, simple but elegant, paired with flat heels. I could not afford to wear high heels now. I was pregnant. I looked at him, hoping he would notice something. Anything.

He did not.

“Get in,” he said quickly. “We’re going to be late.”

James had never liked attending school reunions. I was always the one who dragged him along. But today, he seemed eager. Too eager.

When we arrived, he threw the keys to the valet without even waiting for me. He rushed inside, moving fast, as if someone important was waiting for him.

As if his wife and children were waiting.

I followed slowly.

Inside, James was already seated. Vanessa sat opposite him, surrounded by girls. She looked stunning. Her blonde hair fell perfectly around her shoulders, and she wore a short red gown that hugged her body shamelessly.

I rolled my eyes slightly when a few of my friends noticed me and waved.

“Wow, if it’s not our school flower,” one of the guys cheered.

Laughter followed.

I was the school flower back in college. Beautiful enough that even Vanessa’s beauty could not overshadow mine. I had those rare doe plus siren eyes. Soft and innocent at times, sharp and alluring at others. A slender face, a poised body. When I did not smile, I looked like a fox. When I smiled, I looked like an angel.

I smiled now and waved back.

I went to sit beside James.

He did not even look at me.

He continued talking to his friends like I was not there. Embarrassment crept up my spine, burning hot.

The conversation shifted to life updates. Everyone talked about James, praising him, saying how jealous they were of his success. His hospital was one of the biggest in the city. Everyone knew his name.

James, as usual, brushed it off humbly, saying it was nothing.

As they talked, I noticed something that made my chest ache.

James and Vanessa kept sharing glances.

Silent looks. Lingering looks.

Vanessa glanced at me with a smug look that said clearly, I am about to take what is yours.

I smiled anyway and took a sip of the juice beside me.

Then someone stood up suddenly. “Let’s play a game.”

Someone laughed. “We’re not kids anymore.”

“Truth or dare,” another suggested.

They all agreed excitedly.

I was already exhausted and bored, so I decided not to participate. I sat quietly, watching as hours passed. People got drunk. Laughter grew louder. Conversations turned messy.

Then one guy suddenly said, “Someone should take Vanessa home.”

James stood up immediately. “I will.”

My heart sank.

Vanessa staggered dramatically, pretending to lose her balance. At the same time, I stood up too.

My foot slipped.

I fell to the floor.

I watched, stunned, as James rushed forward and caught Vanessa in his arms.

Cheers erupted around us.

“Wow!”

“Such a gentleman!”

I sat there on the floor, completely forgotten.

A few minutes later, I found myself standing outside, stopping a taxi with trembling hands.

James took Vanessa home.

He promised he would come back.

“She just came back,” he explained quickly. “She doesn’t know her way around. She’s drunk.”

I nodded silently.

The car drove off.

And once again, I was left alone.