All Chapters of Thanks for Stepping Aside: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Once again, abandoned on the way to get a marriage certificate, I felt dazed. Strangers passed by—couples, families with kids, and old couples supporting each other.Their happiness felt like an insult, as if reminding me that Rolf Trivett didn't really love me, or he wouldn't keep leaving me behind over and over.Tears spilled out before I could stop them. I lifted my head stubbornly and walked to a corner, breaking down into loud sobs.Eight years—you don't get a lot of that in a lifetime. But my eight years of love had only been met with repeated lies.Despite wearing my best clothes, I was the most broken person on the whole street. No one looked worse off than I did.But I'd already faced this kind of brokenness nineteen times. This was the twentieth.People always say the third time's the charm, but I'd been through more than that many times over, so this time, I allowed myself to cry and be broken one last time, and then never again."Are you okay?"A little girl in a pr

But now, I just took the file my boss handed me and answered calmly, "I appreciate the opportunity. I won't let you down."Eight years. While everyone else got promotions and raises, I stayed in the same spot—stuck in between, going nowhere. I knew people laughed at me behind my back, thinking I was a fool. They said I had talent but threw it away for a man.My boss gave me a hesitant look, then asked in surprise, "What about Rolf?"Judging by his reaction, it was clear he'd expected to spend a few more days convincing me. He didn't think I'd agree so easily."I can make my own decisions. You're right—no one wants to reach middle age with nothing to show for it.""That's good to hear. I believe in you. Start getting ready."He patted my shoulder with approval, and I let out a long breath.I'd spent eight years chasing after Rolf and be left behind over and over. I never got anything real from him and just kept giving. But it was different with work—work was simpler. As long as I

A while after Rolf left, he seemed to have grown a conscience and sent me a message full of apology.[Miranda's sick. I'll take her to the hospital, and then I'll come find you. She's unwell, so I hope you'll understand. You're the only one I love.]I'd heard that line so many times my ears were numb. She was sick, so I was supposed to give in to her.But I didn't owe her anything. Whether she was sick or just pretending, I still didn't owe her a thing.I had asked a lot of friends about Miranda's condition.She was born with a heart defect, but she'd been well cared for and had surgery on time. In theory, she shouldn't be having a flare up every single day.The funniest part? Her attacks always came at perfect timing—either on my birthday, our anniversary, or the day we went to get our marriage certificate.I'd never heard of someone getting sick that precisely. Or maybe she could control it.I stopped checking my phone and took pictures of the restaurant's scenery instead. It

When Rolf realized I was no longer comforting him or feeling sorry for his tears like before, he quickly wiped his face and silently drove me to the office.In just a moment, he seemed to shrink in on himself, like a wilted flower after a drought, lifeless and dull. But none of that had anything to do with me anymore.After we arrived at the company, he didn't drive off right away. He just looked at me, hopeful and a little lost."Can I come pick you up later?"It turned out that feeling unloved could make anyone tread carefully. I nodded. There were just a few days left—it wouldn't hurt to stay civil, for the sake of what we once had.Rolf smiled. He still looked handsome as always, but my heart didn't stir like it did before.My boss had noticed everything and seemed a little anxious. He danced around the subject all day, worried I might change my mind.I smiled at him and said, "Don't worry. I'll go abroad as promised. It's better for me—and honestly, better for him too."

Rolf searched through every single one, trying to find the ribbon with our names on it.He wanted to prove that what we had was real, that our love had left a mark. But waves of people had come and gone. Even when his hands cramped up from searching for so long, he couldn't find it."It's not here. I can't find it. How come it's gone?"He sat on the ground and cried, clutching the key like it could still mean something."You said you'd love me forever. Those were your words."I haven't talked to Miranda in a long time. I took your advice and told her to hire a caregiver. She won't bother us anymore. I'll go abroad with you, just the two of us. We can start over, okay?"Thousands of steps, and every one was soaked in memories. They flooded back like a tidal wave in my mind.But for all those steps, there were so few good memories. What remained were his desperate outbursts and painful woes."If that's still not enough, I'll block her right now."Rolf fumbled with his phone in a