Determined to understand their sudden distance, I showed Will the messages. As he glanced at a photo of my friends, his expression shifted. He seemed shaken, his voice lowering as he whispered, “I know them.” To my shock, my closest friends were connected to a painful chapter of Will’s past—a tragic car accident that had claimed his father’s life. Emma had been driving, with Rachel and Tara as passengers. Though they had never been charged, they had carried this secret for years, never once telling me.
The revelation hit hard, but I refused to let it consume me. If they thought they could push me aside, they were mistaken. Determined to move forward, I texted Liam, my best friend’s brother, who had always wanted to visit Greece. Without hesitation, I invited him to join me. Within hours, we were boarding a plane to Santorini.
The following days were a whirlwind of breathtaking views, laughter, and new experiences. Each moment felt like a fresh start. By the fourth day, I had almost forgotten why I was there in the first place, swept up in the beauty of the island and the joy of exploring it with someone who truly appreciated the adventure. Liam was the perfect travel companion—attentive, considerate, and effortlessly fun to be around. He even noticed small things, like how I preferred my coffee or that I always chose the shady spots during lunch.
Then, in the middle of the night, my phone lit up with frantic messages from Brian. At 3 a.m., he demanded to know who Liam was and why I was in Santorini. I simply silenced my phone and went back to sleep, embracing the peace I had found.
The next morning, I responded casually, “Hey, change of plans. We’ll talk when I get back.”
When I landed at the airport, Brian was already there, pacing anxiously. His expression was a mix of disbelief and frustration when he saw me walking beside Liam, both of us relaxed and tanned from our time in Greece.
“You actually went through with it?” he asked, his voice edged with surprise.
I remained calm, almost amused. “Yes, I did. Just like you went to the Bahamas with your mother instead of celebrating our anniversary with me.”
Liam, ever the gentleman, stepped aside to give us space. “Thanks for an amazing trip, Rachel. I couldn’t have asked for a better travel companion,” he said, squeezing my hand before walking away.
Brian’s frustration flared. “Did you develop feelings for him?”
“No,” I answered honestly. “But the fact that that’s your first concern says everything about how little you trust me.”
He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “That was different. She needed me.”
“And I didn’t?” I asked, crossing my arms. “That’s the problem, Brian. You didn’t even consider how I might feel. You just assumed I’d understand, like always.”
His frustration began to fade. “So what now? Are you still upset?”
“I’m not upset anymore,” I admitted, surprising even myself. “I’m just done being an afterthought in my own marriage.”
Brian’s face paled. “What does that mean?”
“It means that from now on, if you want to make plans—any plans—you need to make sure I’m included in the conversation. No more last-minute decisions. No more assuming I’ll just go along with whatever you choose.”
“I didn’t think—”
“Exactly,” I cut in. “You didn’t think. But I bet you’re thinking now, aren’t you?”
He nodded slowly, a mix of realization and regret in his eyes.
“The kids are at my mother’s,” I said as I grabbed my suitcase. “I’m going to pick them up. And you can handle dinner tonight because I’m not cooking. I’ve had a long flight.”
“Rachel, I’m… I’m sorry.”
I paused, turning to face him. “You know what I realized this week? Sometimes, you have to remind people of your worth. You can’t just hope they’ll appreciate you—you have to demand it.”
With that, I walked toward the exit, feeling his gaze on my back. For the first time in a long while, I felt in control of my own life.
“Oh, and Brian?” I called over my shoulder. “Next anniversary? I’m picking the destination. And you’d better not make other plans.”
A satisfied smile spread across my face. This time, I was making my own choices. And it felt absolutely right.