4

The day before we were supposed to fly home, a blizzard closed the roads and delayed both our return trips.

That afternoon, for the first time, he came knocking on my door.

"Let's have dinner tonight. It's our sixth anniversary."

I froze.

He took out a booking confirmation for a private northern lights tour and apologized quietly.

"I didn't handle the last few days well. The clouds are supposed to clear tonight.

"Let me make it up to you. We'll go see the northern lights together."

My head told me not to believe him. But then he took my hand.

Six years of memories came rushing back, and they still hurt.

I didn't pull away. I went with him to a glass-walled restaurant by the harbor.

White roses surrounded a table for two overlooking the water.

The lights dimmed. Nathan stepped out from behind a wall of flowers in his captain's uniform, knelt, and opened a ring box.

"Six years ago, I never gave you a proper proposal. Avery, marry me again.

"From now on, I won't make you wait, and I'll never leave you behind for anyone again."

He had the same look in his eyes as the day he got back in the cockpit.

That day, he'd held me and sworn he would never let me down as long as he lived.

My vision blurred, but I knew some wounds wouldn't heal with one belated proposal.

Everyone around us burst into applause.

When I didn't move, he looked lost for a second, then reached for my hand.

I let him.

I just wanted to see, one last time, how long his promise would actually hold.

When the ring slid onto my finger, I didn't feel much hope. I felt a calm certainty that was almost cold.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, his phone rang.

Nathan read the message, and his expression shifted.

"Something came up at work. I need half an hour. I'll be back at ten to pick you up for the northern lights."

I caught his sleeve, my voice calm.

"It's our sixth anniversary. Are you sure you want to do this?"

He pried my hand off. "Don't be childish. I'll be right back."

The restaurant lights came back up.

The steak went cold, and the candles burned down inch by inch.

At 9:40, the tour guide called.

I looked at the empty chair across from me and told the guide, "Don't wait. Let's go now."

At 10:05, a text finally came.

"Lanie fell down the stairs and she's really upset. I'm taking her to get checked out. We'll do the northern lights tomorrow night."

A minute later, Lana posted on Instagram.

In the photo, she wasn't wearing a brace, and her ankle didn't look swollen at all.

Nathan was crouched in front of her wheelchair, tying her shoelaces.

The caption said, "Some people always show up when you need them."

I stared at the photo and laughed. Then the tears hit my screen.

So the flowers, the ring, and the vows he'd planned so carefully had all lost out to Lana saying she was upset.

The restaurant manager asked softly, "Ms. Lane, would you like to keep waiting?"

I slowly took off the ring and set it in the middle of the white roses.

The moment it left my finger, it felt like something had been cut out of my chest, but I could finally breathe.

"No more waiting.

"The tour's already paid in full. If I leave now, I can still make it."

Outside, the clouds were breaking up.

I dried my tears, put on my coat, and got into the car alone.

On the way, Nathan sent a voice message.

"Avery, don't throw a fit this time. Lanie's alone in a foreign country. If something happens to her, who'll take responsibility?

"Go back to the hotel and wait for me. I'll take you tomorrow, I promise."

I hit delete and didn't reply.

At one in the morning, the SUV stopped beside a frozen fjord.

Green ribbons of light swept over the snowy mountains and filled the whole night sky.

All around me, people cheered, hugged, and kissed.

I stood alone in the wind and watched the northern lights until they faded. I'd waited six years to see them.

It turned out they were just as beautiful without Nathan.

I sent my lawyer one last confirmation.

"Get the papers to Nathan first thing tomorrow. There's no need to wait anymore."

Then I booked a one-way ticket to Oslo and silenced call after call from him.

My posting started tomorrow.