Wanted

Prologue

Elena

FIVE YEARS WASTED. Five fucking years I’ll never get back and I hate him for it.

Looking down at the pear-shaped diamond on my left hand I can’t help but feel unimpressed.

It doesn’t sparkle the way you’d expect.

I let out a snort, I’m not sure the bland thing is even real.

The fact that he proposed with a pear cut was warning enough.

Not that I’m being ungrateful, but who wants an engagement ring with a stone shaped like a tear drop right?

It just screams sad, thoughtless. It screams Matt.

I’m more of an emerald cut girl myself. I prefer clean lines, sharp edges, timeless elegance.

The size doesn’t matter to me, although looking back I realize I never should have settled on a mediocre, microscopic pri…

Shit. Breathe Elena, you will not break, at least not now.

The pep talk I give myself does little to douse the flames of rage building up inside me.

I’m angry, no! I’m more than angry, I’m fucking hurt and pissed.

If I’m being honest, I’m probably angrier at myself for being such a fool. How could I be so blind?

Five years together, three of those years engaged.

The venue is booked, invitations sent out, a honeymoon in Scotland, my favorite place.

I let out a puff of air as I exhale heavily, my breath clouding in front of me, white smoky plumes in the frigid Michigan air.

It’s January and the night’s chill, seeps through my bones causing me to shiver.

I wrap my arms around myself in a weak attempt to warm up.

I’m never going back but, I don’t know how to move forward.

What does a person do when they find out that they’ve been lied to?

That the life you were building with someone you loved and who you thought loved you turns out to be fake?

A carefully disguised lie wrapped in a Tiffany box.

Beautiful on the outside holding a darkness within.

Perhaps that would be unfair to Tiffany.

I quite like the brand… Pandora’s box perhaps?

When my flight was cancelled on account of bad weather, I never thought I’d be opening Pandora’s box.

Coming here to our favorite hangout I thought we could have a few drinks, unwind and catch up with old friends.

My flight is rescheduled for tomorrow noon, weather permitting.

But boy was I surprised. That box just blew wide open and my whole world tilted on its axis.

Matt doesn’t even know I’m here, he wouldn’t since he hasn’t checked his phone. Neither has she.

“You ready babe?” The sudden break in silence snaps me out of my self-pity and propels me back into the harsh reality that is my current situation.

“Yes, Evie, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” Bending down to pick up my carry-on I almost topple over from the force of the bear hug Evie launches at me. She’s been a rock, a guiding light and my crutch tonight.

“I’m fine Evie,” I say, sounding unconvincing even to myself.

“At least you found out now rather than after the wedding, I’m glad you didn’t ask her to be your bridesmaid. She doesn’t deserve the privilege.”

I smile halfheartedly at Evie, glad that she’s here with me but also ashamed that she just witnessed my fiancé invading my friend’s esophagus with his tongue.

We found them both locked in a tight embrace, their kiss so deep I thought his tongue might pop out her ass, which would make for quite the spectacle given that most of her dress is missing.

The shocking reality in front of me searing through my heart, the warmth once there, now replaced with frigid cold.

There’s no going back from this. Things will never be the same.