Two

Chapter 2:

 The Gift He Didn't Want 

 Layla's POV 

 I looked at the gift box again, holding it close to my chest like it was something fragile-something sacred. It was a watch. A rare one. Grayson once told me about it when we were still talking like husband and wife. I remember how his eyes sparkled that day. Just for a second. 

That spark had gone now, but I remembered it. So I searched for the watch. I saved money. I even skipped buying new shoes last month just so I could afford it. It wasn't about the money-it was about him. I wanted him to know I still cared. 

That someone still remembered the things he loved. Maybe... just maybe... he would look at me the way he used to. Maybe this small gift would bring him back to me-just a little. 

 I looked in the mirror before leaving the house. I had taken my time to look good. My hair was soft around my shoulders, and I wore the perfume he once said reminded him of our honeymoon. I smiled at my reflection. But it was a nervous smile.

 I kept hearing this voice in my head say, "What if he doesn't care?" I ignored it. He was my husband. Of course he'd care. Right? - The receptionist at his office looked surprised to see me. "Mrs. Ward," she said politely, standing. "Mr. Ward is in a meeting right now." "That's alright," I said, holding the box tightly. "I'll wait." I sat down in the waiting area. The place smelled of strong coffee and expensive furniture. I looked at the gift again and smiled to myself. I was proud. I had done something thoughtful. Something kind. 

Something full of love. Ten minutes passed. Fifteen. Then twenty. The waiting began to feel heavy. I kept checking my phone, hoping he'd text. Nothing. I stood up and slowly walked down the hallway. His door was halfway open. I thought maybe his meeting was over. I just wanted to knock, to surprise him with something nice. But then... I stopped. I heard laughter. Not just any laughter. His. Deep. Relaxed. Warm. The kind of laugh I hadn't heard from him in months. I peeked through the opening in the door. And my heart shattered into a thousand sharp, invisible pieces. 

 Grayson was there. Not alone. Sasha was sitting beside him, too close. She was wearing a red dress and red lipstick. Her legs crossed like she owned the place-like she owned him. Her hand was on his thigh. She leaned in and whispered something. He laughed again. Then... she kissed him on the cheek. Slowly. Intimately. Like I used to. I froze. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I was standing there, holding this box full of love, while the man I gave everything to was giving everything to someone else. My stomach twisted. He never smiled like that with me anymore. He never touched me like that. He barely even looked at me. And now... I knew why. He wasn't busy. He wasn't tired. He wasn't lost in work. He was here. With her. Like she was his wife. I stepped back, but my heel scraped the floor. The noise caught their attention. Sasha turned her head, and her eyes lit up-not in surprise. But in amusement. "Oh," she said sweetly. "The wife." Grayson stood up fast. "Layla?" I couldn't speak. I just looked at him, holding the gift like it was my own heart inside that box. "I came to see you," I finally whispered. "I brought you something." His eyes darted to Sasha, then back to me. "I told the front desk I wasn't available today." My lips trembled. "You weren't in a meeting." "Layla-" "You were laughing with her," I said, my voice rising. "You were touching her." "She's just-" "Don't lie to me!" I snapped, tears rising so fast I couldn't stop them. "I saw everything!" Sasha stepped forward, smirking. "Poor thing. Still trying so hard to keep a man who doesn't want her." I turned to her, my voice shaking. "You think this is funny?" "I think it's sad," she said. "Sad that you still believe you matter." My knees felt weak. 

I looked at Grayson, hoping-begging-to see some shame in his face. But he just looked annoyed. Like I was ruining his evening. Like I was the problem. "You promised to love me," I whispered. "That was a long time ago, Layla." I cracked. The tears were fast, hideous, and loud. I didn't care anymore. 

My heart was breaking in front of them and no one did anything to stop it. I threw the gift box onto the desk. "I bought this for you. With the little money I had. Because I remembered what you liked. I remembered everything." He did not even look at it. My voice broke. "I waited for you every single night. I sat alone at dinner tables. I dressed up in the hopes that you'd come home. I kept lying to myself-telling myself you were tired.

 That maybe tomorrow you'd recall me. That maybe tomorrow you'd touch me again." I was in tears now, my body shaking from the inside. "I don't want to fight anymore," I said, amidst tears. "I'm tired of begging. I'm tired of breaking myself for you." 

His mouth opened, but I raised my hand. "No," I said, my voice steady. "Don't talk. Don't lie. Don't tell me to relax. You don't get to relax. Not when I've drowned in silence for years." 

I took a broken breath. "Grayson, I loved you with everything that was in me. And you killed that love, little by little, day by day." I looked at Sasha again.

 She was bored. Then I looked at my husband-my husband-and whispered: "I'm leaving you. I won't wait to be loved anymore. I deserve more than this." And with that... I turned and walked out. 

Tears poured down my face as I pushed the office doors open. I walked past people staring. Past the receptionist, who looked at me with pity. Past the gift I used to be so proud of. I walked barefoot to my car. My heels now hurt too much. My heart was hurting too much already. I got into the driver's seat and cried until my throat hurt. And between the sobs, I whispered: "He didn't want my gift. He didn't want me. But one day... he'll want me back. And by then... I'll be gone."