Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
After dinner, we went back to Max’s parents’ house for cake and ice cream. Dinner was awkward because all Carol wanted to talk about was the wedding and all the things she thought I should do. I helped Carol put twenty-six candles on the large, beautifully decorated cake she had made for Max. We lit each one and carried it into the dining room, where Max, Fiona, and Bradshaw were waiting for us.
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Max. Happy birthday to you,” we sang as we walked in and set the cake down in front of him.
I leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Make a wish.”
He blew out the candles, and we all clapped. Bradshaw stood up and left the room. A few moments later, he walked in and handed Max an envelope.
“Happy birthday, son. I’ve signed off on your trust fund, and it’s yours. I have no doubt that you’ll be responsible with it.”
“Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Mom.”
“We are so happy for you and Emma, darling. Now, let’s set a date so we can get working on this wedding.”
“Oh, Max and I have already set a date. We were waiting to tell you.” Max looked at me with surprise as I grabbed his hand. “We are getting married on September 10, 2016.”
“Oh. A September wedding. How perfect!” Carol smiled.
“Congratulations, you two.” Bradshaw winked at Max.
“That’s less than a year. We better start planning.”
Max put up his hand. “Whoa, Mom. We just set the date. Give us some time.”
After finishing cake and ice cream, Max took me upstairs to his bedroom.
“Are you okay? You look exhausted.”
“I’m really tired. It’s been a long day, and I don’t think I’m fully recovered yet.”
“Then let’s get you home.” His thumb grazed over my cheek. “Nice touch about the wedding date.”
“Thanks. Your mom was getting on my nerves.” I laughed.
“So, how did it go last night at dinner?” Kara asked as she and Molly sat across from me in the restaurant.
“I told them we set a date. September 10, 2016. I couldn’t stand Carol’s whining anymore.”
“When are you breaking it off?” Molly frowned.
“Next Friday night. We’re going to his parents’ house for dinner.” I picked at my salad.
“What’s wrong? Are you still sick?” Kara asked. “You’re barely eating.”
“Yeah. This flu is killing me.”
“Maybe it’s not the flu. Maybe you’re making yourself sick over what’s to come. It happens, you know.”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to end things with Max. I know we were never a real couple, but I like being with him.”
“Maybe once all is said and done, he’ll change his mind and not want to let you go.”
“I doubt it. I almost told him the other day that I loved him. I had to catch myself, and then I started to panic. What if I would have said it?”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t because there’s no telling how he might have reacted.”
The two of them finished dinner, and I had mine wrapped up to go.
I’d spent the week going to school, coming home, and taking long naps. I hadn’t seen Max since his birthday, but we talked a few times. We had put our plan in motion for tonight, and I was a nervous wreck. Maybe the girls were right. Maybe I was making myself sick over this whole thing, and depression seemed to be settling in. But I had a tiny piece of hope that I clung to that Max would tell me that he loved me and he’d call this whole break-up thing off.
“You ready?” he asked as he took my hand.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” My stomach was twisted in the tightest knot possible.
We sat down for dinner with Carol and Bradshaw, and the game began as I looked at Max.
“I don’t understand why you couldn’t have called today. You told me you would, but as usual, you can never keep your word.”
“Not now, Emma. I already explained to you how busy I was.”
His parents looked uncomfortable as they kept their heads down while they ate.
“So is this how it’s going to be, Max? Work before me?”
“Emma, I’m not discussing this now,” he spoke through gritted teeth.
“That’s your problem. You never want to discuss anything. Half the time, I feel shut out.”
I threw my napkin down on the table, got up, and walked away. Walking outside to the back patio like we planned, he followed.
“Throw your hands around. Yell. Press your finger into my chest in case they’re watching.”
I did just that. We yelled back and forth and put on a good show for his parents. I took the ring off, placed it in his hand, and stormed through the patio door.
“It’s over, Max. I just can’t take it anymore. I can’t be with a man who puts his work before me. I should be the number one priority in your life. Me, Max. Your fiancée. The girl you supposedly love.”
“Emma, please don’t do this. I’ll change. I promise.”
“You’ve already shown me that you can’t keep your promises, and I refuse to live my life with someone like that. I can’t. I just can’t!”
I stormed out the front door and climbed into the Rolls Royce, where Darren was waiting for me. Tears started to stream down my face because the reality of what happened and what was to come hit me. I wanted to throw up.
“I’m sorry, Emma,” Darren spoke as he handed me a tissue.
“It’s okay. We knew this fucking day was coming, and I thought I was prepared. But the truth is I love him, Darren.”
“I know you do, and I’m sorry.”
My phone beeped with a text message from Max.
“My parents are highly upset. Try to get some sleep, and I’ll come by in the morning.”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer him back. I continued to shake as Darren helped me out of the car.
“I have faith that things will work out, Emma.”
“I doubt it, Darren. Thanks for the ride.”
“Have a good night.”
I entered my apartment and headed straight to the bedroom. After changing into my pajamas, I climbed into bed and laid my head down as the uncontrollable tears fell.
I could barely open my swollen eyes as I had to make my way to the bathroom to throw up. I tossed and turned all night from the nightmares I had. I splashed my face with cold water and grabbed my phone to see if Max had messaged me. He hadn’t. It was nine o’clock, and I didn’t know what time he was coming over. I needed to talk to him and tell him that I was in love with him. I couldn’t just let him walk away from this not knowing. It was a risk, but I was willing to take it. As I walked to the kitchen to make some coffee, I stopped when I saw a white envelope in front of the door, almost like someone had slipped it under. I walked over, picked it up, and ran my finger across my name, which was written on it. I nervously opened it and took out the white stationery that was folded inside.
My dearest Emma,
I’m writing you this letter because I can’t bear to say goodbye to you in person. Last night was one of the toughest nights of my life. Although we had this planned for the past three months, it still felt incredibly real. I’ll always cherish and never forget the time we spent together and getting to know one another. You are an incredible and loving person who deserves only the best. And believe me, I wish I were the best, but I’m not. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you’re incredibly talented and smart. Something about you makes people feel good when they’re around you. Even if I had the shittiest day, just knowing that I was going to see you made it all better. Call me a coward for hiding behind these words because that’s exactly what I am. I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m sorry, and I hope you can forgive me one day. It’s time for me to step out of my father's shadow and discover the man I truly am. I’ve always dreamed of starting my own company away from my father’s, and now, thanks to you, I can do just that. I know this is probably as hard for you to read as it is for me to write. I’m a flawed man, Emma, and you deserve someone who’s flawless. Because that’s exactly what you are. Promise me you’ll never stop dancing and take full advantage of what life has to offer you. I’ve opened a bank account in your name for the sum of $250,000. I don’t want you to worry about having to find a job and living expenses. I’ve also set up an account at Parsons in your name with the rest of the tuition money until you graduate. Go to school and live your dream. You deserve it. Goodbye, my sweetest Emma.
Love always, Max.
I dropped the letter and fell to my knees, sobbing and shaking, trying to get hold of my emotions. The hope I had was gone, and I had nothing left. I set myself up for agreeing to this proposed deal, and I knew the more we became involved, the harder it would be to let go. I got up from the floor and lay down on the couch, where I spent the rest of the day. Kara and Molly came over after they finished working at the salon, and as soon as they walked in, they saw the letter on the floor. Molly bent down and picked it up while Kara came over and wrapped her arms around me, and I continued to cry on her shoulder.