All Chapters of Thanks for Not Showing Up: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Leon Robertson paused. "Are you sure?""Yeah," I said, steady. "I just don't know if you still want me.""I'm overseas. Give me a month—no, give me two weeks. I'll be back. We'll get married.""Okay. I'll wait."I hung up, stared at the pic on my phone, then shut off the screen.Five years, and all it took was someone new to wipe it out.***Michael Robertson stumbled in past midnight.I didn't say a word. Just kept packing.Half a month left or not, I wasn't wasting another second here."Get me a glass of water. And bring out my pajamas."Same bossy tone. Didn't even glance my way.He always acted like I was a maid.And the pajamas? That was his code. Meant he wanted me in bed.Maybe that used to mean something.Now? I felt nothing. Just zipped up another bag.A few minutes later, Michael walked out of the bathroom and frowned when he saw me ignoring him."Didn't you hear me? Why aren't you moving?"I zipped my suitcase without looking up. "I'm heading home for a whi

Chapter 2

Lying in bed, I kept flashing back to the last few years.When Michael and I first got together, he was all in. Said the air felt sweeter just being near me. One text and he'd drop everything to show up. Super possessive, though. Any guy around me? Instant sulk. Even my girlfriends had to pass his little character test.He handled everything, like we were living some domestic dream. People probably thought it was a bit much, but I didn't mind. Back then, I liked it.But that guy? He was long gone.And me? I wasn't the girl who built her world around him anymore.My phone buzzed on the pillow.It was from Kallie.[Michael, this is the happiest birthday I've had in years. Thank you. I'm really happy.Oh, and I prepared a surprise for you on my social media. Go take a look.]Before I could even blink, the message disappeared.Kallie: [Oops, sorry Elsa. Sent that to the wrong person. Please don't be mad, okay?]I snorted and chucked the phone.Wrong person? No. It was deliberat

Chapter 3

When Michael saw me ripping up the photos, he yelled, "What are you doing?!"He ran over, panic all over his face. Tried to save the half-burned pics, but the flames were already too high. No chance."Why? Why would you do this?!" His voice cracked, eyes going red. He actually looked torn up—not like his usual fake dramatics.I almost laughed.He was losing it over photos, but my feelings? Never made the cut.Without flinching, I took the ones from his hand and tossed them in."What's the point of keeping pictures of someone you don't even love anymore?"He froze. "You're still mad about that day?"Before I could say anything, he snapped."What do you want from me?! I explained everything! I said we'd get the license in two days! What more do you want?!"The more he raged, the calmer I got.I gave a faint smile. "If that's the case, then there's even less reason to keep these, right? Once we get the license, we can travel, take a bunch of wedding pics. Sounds better, doesn't

Chapter 4

I was so hyped I barely slept.Next morning, the doorbell rings—and guess who's grinning on my porch? Kallie."Congrats, Elsa. Can't believe you got picked by an international music org. Must be nice having that kind of luck."Luck? Seriously?I just stuck out my hand. "Give me the invite."She kept smiling and shook her head. "Why should you get everything? I went to music school too, y'know. What makes you better? Here's a thought—give me your spot, and I'll say something nice about you to Michael."I almost laughed.Then it hit me—bitterness.How sad is that? My own fiancé needed her to vouch for me.I gave her a cold stare. "Do you even hear yourself? You're not qualified for something like this. Saying stuff like that just makes you look desperate."I reached for the invite, but she clutched it, all hurt and dramatic."We worked together. Do you really have to embarrass me? It's just one invite—why are you being so greedy? If you're really that good, you don't need this

Chapter 5

Leon called right on cue that night."Miss me, babe?""I did," I said, no hesitation. "Especially today.""For real?" he teased, like he didn't totally believe me."Totally.""Alright, I'll take your word for it."He sounded way too happy—it was kind of adorable."I already started planning the wedding," he said. "Once I'm back, we'll pick outfits and scout venues together, deal?""You don't have to worry about that," I said, flat. "My family's got it covered. We're doing it in my hometown. The wedding will be perfect—trust me."Before he could say anything else, Michael's voice cut in behind me, loud and shocked."A wedding? I told you we weren't having one. Your hometown? Since when did I agree to that? Why didn't you ask me first?"I set my phone down, cool as ever, and turned to him."I'm not marrying you. Why would I?""What do you mean, not marrying me?"His face twisted—confused, a little panicked.Honestly? I felt weirdly entertained.Like I'd let him in on the

Chapter 6

"Impossible!" Michael snapped, not even thinking.He slammed the brakes and turned to me, dead serious."Yeah, we've had a few rough patches, but this—us—it's not some random fling. We didn't happen by accident. I really believe what we have won't change."His little speech didn't warm my heart.It just made the bitterness hit harder.I used to believe it was real.Used to think he actually loved me.But that was a different lifetime.Now, his heart was wrapped around someone else—and it wasn't me.Didn't want to drag it out, so I just said, "Got it."Reached into the glove compartment for a water bottle—Out drops a half-used box of condoms.Silence.I held it up. "Not gonna explain?"Michael's eyes locked on the box.For a second—panic.Then he smoothed it over with that fake calm of his."Oh, that idiot Peter. He was in my car last time when we went to Kallie's birthday. Must've left his stuff behind. Totally forgot."I gave him a small smile and slid the box back

Chapter 7

So familiar.I just nodded and let out a quiet "Mm."Didn't stop him.Just opened the door and stepped out like I'd rehearsed it.Michael didn't hesitate either—hit the gas and vanished.I waited outside the County Clerk's Office the whole day, like I was waiting for some kind of answer.And weirdly? I felt calm.Like my phone—dead silent. Not a single buzz.Even when the office closed, he never came back.No call. No text. Nothing.I stretched, looked up at the sky, and told myself, 'See, Elsa? What a joke. Why were you even hoping?'***By the time I got home, it was past eight.My phone finally buzzed—but it wasn't Michael.It was Kallie.[Sorry, Elsa. My bad for ruining your big day. I just didn't think Michael would stay with me all day, even skipping the registration, just to comfort me.]She attached a photo.Her face was flushed, pressed against Michael's bare chest.Message received—loud and clear.Gotta admit, girl knew how to play dirty.I paused, then to

Chapter 8

I hung up after that last jab.Phone rang again almost immediately."What kind of thing is that to say?" Michael snapped. "You heard how bad she sounded—this was life or death!"I scoffed. "Oh really? What'd the doctor say?"He hesitated. Tone dropped. "Said she's weak. Needs rest and care...""Oh? So even if you hadn't rushed over, she'd still be breathing. Got it."Silence. Longer this time.Thirty full seconds before he finally said, "I—I just panicked, okay? That's why I—"I cut in. "No need to explain. I get it."Then added, "I left the wedding invite on the coffee table. If you've got time, stop by. You know the bride and groom. They're really looking forward to seeing you."He sounded a little relieved, slipping back into that casual tone. "I think I'll pass. Been super busy lately...""Whatever." I hung up.***On the ride home, Leon called. "My plane lands tomorrow. You ready?"Finally."Yeah. I'll send you the address later.""No need. Top-tier business family

Chapter 9

When I pulled up to the airport, I spotted Leon right away by the entrance.Tall, built, suit on point, sunglasses in place—he had that calm, grown-up confidence that turned heads without even trying.Everything about him screamed the opposite of Michael.Michael was the reckless little brother. Leon? Cool, collected, and put-together.I didn't say a word. Just stood there until he noticed me.He walked over, grinning. "Seriously? You saw me and just stood there?"I smiled. "Didn't wanna yell for some hot guy and have people think I've lost it.""Can't blame you. I'm kind of a walking fantasy," he said, striking a fake model pose and flipping his hair like he was in a shampoo commercial.Then he glanced over, half-teasing. "Were you this smooth with Michael too?""Stop comparing yourself to him."I turned back toward the car, and he beat me to it—already opening the door like a total gentleman.On the drive home, Leon suddenly asked, "So... still not over Michael?"I kept m

Chapter 10

He kept going, voice cracking, "We were about to get our marriage license! How could you marry someone else?! We've been together for five years—you're really throwing that away? Why?!"I stayed calm. "Shouldn't I be the one asking that?"Why?"Why, after five years of me sticking by you, did you still cheat?"Why, on the day we were supposed to register, did you run off to take care of your secretary?"Why does someone who gave you a little blood suddenly matter more than the person who gave you everything?Each question hit harder than the last. His face went pale.I leaned into Leon's chest, steady and clear. "Leon loved me for three years. I kept turning him down because of YOU. That's my only regret. Now, I'm fixing it."Michael's eyes darted wildly, panic setting in hard.Then he rushed forward, jaw tight, eyes locked on mine. "Elsa, come on. Stop this. I know you're just mad. You misunderstood things with Kallie—I was just grateful to her. There was never anything—"He

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