The Wait Never Ends
Sweet Hawthorn
For four years of marriage, Cillian Newberry's catchphrase had always been "wait."
Traveling could wait until he wrapped up his work.
Celebrating our wedding anniversary could wait until his meeting was over.
Visiting my parents back in my hometown could wait until he had the time.
Today was my birthday. I made sure to ask him two weeks in advance if he would be home for dinner.
After he promised me he would be there, I spent the entire afternoon preparing his favorite dishes and waited for him to come home.
However, I waited from six o'clock until nine, but he never showed.
Then, an entertainment news broadcast caught my attention.
[The CEO of Newberry Corporation was spotted picking up his childhood sweetheart after work! Could this be a case of old flames rekindling their romance?]
I subconsciously looked up upon hearing the reporting.
The broadcast showed a man holding an umbrella while tightly embracing a woman dressed in light clothing.
It was only a few steps from the building entrance to his car, yet he tilted the umbrella toward the woman the entire way, letting the rain soak his own shoulder.
Then, I received a text from him.
[Something came up. I'll be back in a bit.]
I thought I was used to waiting. I thought I was content with waiting quietly at the table for him to come home, as I always had.
When I looked at him in his rain-soaked suit on the television, I realized I was done waiting.