BROKEN PIECES

Avery stood still as the suitcase slipped from her grip, hitting the floor with a loud clatter that resonated through the hallway.

A hot stream of tears slipped down her cheek as she watched her boyfriend curled up with a lady through the tiny crack of his door.

Moans and sounds of pleasure filled the air, almost deafening.

She drew in a breath to speak, but her voice failed her. All she could do was watch them with her mouth wide open, a big lump rising up her throat.

They both turned. The woman leaned lazily on the couch, eyes glimmering with a great sense of satisfaction mixed with annoyance, hinting her disapproval towards Avery's interruption.

Her hair was tousled, lips burning with a devilish smirk.

She was Ethan's friend, the same lady he had sworn he had nothing to do with every time she questioned their closeness.

And he, Avery's boyfriend, laid there as if he had been caught in the middle of a crime. His shirt rumpled, his fingers tangled around her waist, sweat dripping down his face, and his chest heaving through his shirt that had been ripped open.

"Three years, Ethan. Three years of my life... Just for this?”

Avery's chest tightened as her breath came in short. She thought she had it all. A cute and loyal boyfriend whom she had sworn would never break her heart, but here she was, staring at that same man in another woman's bosom.

They had planned to go on a trip together to celebrate her graduation. Avery even made a reservation at the famous resort in Santorini to grace their moment at the trip.

She was excited, hopeful, and filled with so much happiness that her dream would finally come true.

She had packed cute outfits, secretly expecting a proposal, but never would she have thought it would be a heartbreak proposal.

"Ethan..." She searched his face, desperate for denial or even an explanation, but all she could see was betrayal.

Even though she knew it was a reality she must force down her throat, a part of her still wished it was all a dream.

Avery staggered backwards, one step then another. When she turned, her suitcase lay abandoned on the floor where it had fallen.

She slowly squatted, picking up the broken pieces of the handle before dragging the suitcase. She managed to wipe off the tears that had tainted her face and made her way out.

Outside, the cold breeze slapped her skin, swaying her hair that had been let down.

The weather was cold but she couldn't feel it. All she could feel was the heat burning inside of her.

The street was empty, and the cars were spinning at high speed. Her suitcase rattled awkwardly behind her as she dragged her feet lazily, waving her hands towards the moving vehicles.

With a trembling hand, she slipped her palm in the deep pocket of her pants and pulled out her phone, the glow of the screen blurring through the tears that had clouded her eyes.

She blinked rapidly, trying to steady herself as she scrolled through her contacts.

There was only one person she could call — Marcus, the one who had never failed her.

"Marcus?" Her voice trailed off as he answered. "Can you... can you come pick me up?"

There was no hesitation nor a demand to know what was going on, only his calm but commanding tone. "Stay where you are. I will be there in a minute."

Her suitcase settled beside her as she leaned lazily on one of the streetlights near the road.

A few minutes later, Marcus' car arrived.

He was out before the engine even stopped humming. His eyes immediately found Avery’s tear-streaked face, and for a moment, his jaw tightened—but he didn’t speak.

He carefully carried her suitcase and ushered her into the car.

Avery leaned on the back seat as the memories flooded her mind. Who would have thought she would be this heartbroken on the eve of her graduation trip.

Another wave of tears streamed down her face as she closed her eyes, ruminating the painful memories.

Marcus’ grip tightened against the steering wheel as his eyes flickered to the rear view mirror, carefully mapping her face. His jaw tightened, a few words escaping through the narrow gap between his teeth. "Do I need to hurt him?"

A faint smile escaped her lips, followed by laughter and then a sob. She tried to force the tears back, but they came rolling anyway.

Marcus didn't push her further nor stop her from crying, just a few glances.

When they pulled up to her apartment, he carried her suitcase inside without a word before glancing towards her. His gaze was sharp yet comforting.

"Did he hurt you? " He questioned, leaving her bursting into tears.

Avery nodded, wiping the tears off her face.

"I… I saw him… making out with another woman," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Marcus drew her closer, his hand steady on her back. "I promise you, he’ll regret hurting you."

He hesitated, then asked softly, "Would you… like to spend the night at my place?”

She shook her head, a half-hearted smile tugging at her lips. "I… I’d like to be on my own, Marcus. I’ll be fine."

Marcus didn't pester. He gave a slight nod and pulled her out of his arms, placing his palms on her shoulder to comfort her before setting out to leave. "Please, be good for me. Call me if you need anything. I'm just a call away."

And with that, he got into his car and drove away.

Inside, Avery sank onto her couch, pouring the whiskey into her cup in one shaky motion. Her hair was tangled, her clothes soaked with her own tears.

The scene of Ethan tangled with another woman basked in her head, and she couldn't hold it in— the pain, the betrayal, the sacrifice she made for love, and the heartbreak that followed.

Avery's eyes scanned through the room, her gaze settling on the suitcase on the floor. She had packed all her things, hoping to go to the airport from her boyfriend's house.

She moved closer, rummaging through her suitcase for what God knows.

Her fingers closed around something. She pulled it out, and her breath caught. It was the ticket she had bought for their flight.

A fresh wave of tears streamed down her cheek as she squeezed the paper in her palm and flung it toward the bin. “I don’t need this… I don’t need him,” she whispered through the sobs.

Yet, even as the words left her lips, something inside her wouldn’t let go.

She couldn't waste her money. She had planned this for years, and she wouldn't let him ruin it. The man she had planned her life with was gone, but her trip wasn't.

Her eyes found the plane ticket sitting in the dustbin, daring her to embark on the trip.

Slowly, Avery pushed herself to her feet, brushing away the tears that refused to stop falling.

She reached into the bin and retrieved the ticket, her fingers tightening around it. “I’ll go alone.”