5 YEARS

The air was thick with tension, the small room barely able to contain the storm brewing between us. My hands shook as I stuffed my clothes into an old, worn-out suitcase. The place smelled of dust and faded memories, a reminder of the love we once shared. Samuel stood behind me, his voice desperate, broken. "Isabel... what are you doing?" His voice cracked, his brown eyes filled with confusion and fear. I turned to him, my heart pounding. "I'm leaving, Samuel." His face went pale. "Leaving? To where? Why? We built this life together... you said we’d fight through anything!" I let out a bitter laugh, blinking back the sting of tears. "Fight? Samuel, look at this place! This is not a life, it’s survival. I’m done struggling, done living in misery!" I reached into my bag, pretending to be stronger than I felt, when he suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me, gripping my hands. "Please, Isabel. Don’t do this. Just give me time—five years. I swear, I’ll make something of myself. I’ll give you everything you ever wanted. Just… stay." His hands trembled as they clutched mine. Tears burned my eyes, but I forced myself to stay cold. "And what am I supposed to do while I wait, Samuel? Starve? Hope? Watch you chase a dream that may never come true?" He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, plastic ring. His hands shook as he held it up. "I know this isn’t much, but I promise—one day, I’ll put a real diamond on your finger. Just say yes. Marry me, Isabel." A choked sob escaped my lips. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to hold on. But I couldn't. I stepped back, shaking my head. "You expect me to keep living in poverty and misery? I can’t, Samuel. I won’t." The sound of a car pulling up outside made both of us turn. A sleek black car—the kind we could never afford—parked in front of our tiny home. Samuel frowned. "Who is that?" Before I could answer, the man in the suit stepped inside, moving past Samuel like he didn’t exist. "Isabel, are you ready?" he asked, his voice smooth, confident. Samuel’s breath hitched. His body tensed. "What the hell is going on?" I couldn’t look at him. I knew what was coming. Samuel stepped forward, but before he could get close, the man slapped him—hard. The sound echoed through the small space. Samuel stumbled back, gripping his cheek, his eyes filled with shock and betrayal. "Stay out of this," the man spat. "You’re nothing, Samuel. You have nothing. You will never be able to give her the life she deserves." Samuel’s fists clenched, his body shaking with rage. "I don’t care how rich you are. You don’t put your hands on me!" He lunged forward, ready to fight, but I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Don’t, Samuel," I whispered. His eyes snapped to mine, full of pain. "Are you seriously choosing him over me?" Tears ran down my cheeks, but I forced myself to stay strong. "I’m choosing a better life." Samuel's whole body went still. The light in his eyes—our love—dimmed before my eyes. He stepped back like I had physically hit him. "No... no, this isn't you. Tell me this isn't real." I turned away, walking toward the door with the man by my side. Samuel rushed after me, grabbing my wrist. "Please! Just five years, Isabel! I’ll work day and night. I’ll give you everything—just don’t leave me!" His voice cracked, his tears falling freely now. I wrenched my hand away, stepping outside. Samuel stumbled after me, his foot catching on the step. He fell—hard. A sharp cry of pain left his lips as he clutched his leg. "Isabel!" he sobbed. "Please, don’t do this!" My heart twisted, but I had to be cruel. I had to make him hate me. I reached into my purse, pulled out a few bills, and tossed them onto the ground next to him. "Here," I said coldly. "At least take this. Maybe buy yourself a new shirt. Take care of yourself, Samuel." His face twisted in agony. His body shook as he tried to crawl toward me, his broken leg dragging behind him. I turned my back to him, grabbing the stranger’s hand. I let him pull me into his arms, and for the final blow, I kissed him—right there, in front of Samuel. A broken sound tore from Samuel’s throat, a sound so raw it nearly made me crumble. As I got into the car, I looked at him one last time—on his knees, crying, begging, reaching for me. But I closed my eyes and whispered, "Goodbye, Samuel." And then… I was gone.