The Call That Undid Us

I just stood there, frozen, staring at the phone.

The girl paused, then said, a little thrown, "Liam? You there?"

That voice—I knew it.

It was Nina. Eighteen.

Memories slammed into me like a wave. Twelve years ago, around this time, Nina called to tell me she was in love.

I forced the panic down. My voice came out dry. "What do you want with Liam?"

She hesitated. "Who is this?"

I dodged it. "You're calling Liam Lambert... planning to confess, right?"

She coughed, surprised. "How do you know that?"

Just like I thought.

I shut my eyes, fighting the sting in my chest. "Don't do it. Twelve years from now, you'll break his heart."

Silence.

Then she fired back, sharp and sure. "No way!"

I could almost see her face—young, stubborn, full of fire.

Back then, she loved hard. She had no clue who she'd become.

I glanced down, ready to say more—but the door swung open.

I hung up fast, shoved the phone in my pocket, played it cool.

Right before the line cut, I swear I heard her mumble, "Whatever. I'll tell him next year instead."

Didn't think twice about it.

The second I hid the phone, Nina stormed in.

Straight to the closet. Digging through drawers like a hurricane.

"Liam, have you seen my gift box? Liam?"

She kept calling my name. I didn't answer—just kept packing.

Then she flung the door open and ran right into me.

She blinked, frowning. "Why are you packing? Where are you going?"

I didn't look at her. Just handed over the divorce papers. "Nina, let's get a divorce."

Her face tightened. "Divorce? Because of Ray? I've told you, there's nothing going on. If there was, I'd have left you already."

Heard it a million times. I was done.

If I hadn't seen her phone by accident, I'd still be clueless. My own wife—messaging Ray nonstop for five years.

At work, they were the dream team. In the cafeteria, always side by side.

Everyone saw it. People in the office group chat even joked Ray was her "real plus-one." She never denied it. Just laughed.

And every time I brought it up? She'd roll her eyes and snap, "It's just a dumb joke. Do you have to be so dramatic?"