Our Anniversary, You Chose Her – I Chose Divorce

The large mascot lost its footing and tumbled onto the grass, and the little girl landed right in its embrace.

”I love you, Daddy!”

The little girl cried out in a clear, bright voice, cuddling playfully in the mascot’s arms.

The person in the costume took off the head, revealing a young man’s face, warmed by a gentle smile. He stroked his precious daughter’s cheek. ”Happy birthday, my sweet Chloe. See? Daddy didn’t break his promise this year. I came back just in time for your birthday.”

”Mhm, Daddy’s the best.”

The little girl nodded emphatically, then turned her head to the young woman beside them. ”Mommy’s the best, too! I love you both so much!”

The afternoon sun was so warm. One by one, the gift boxes on the white swing were unwrapped. The young man and woman sat on either side of the little girl, their world filled with endless laughter and joy.

It was so beautiful, so heartwarming.

But everything began to fade, the colors draining away as if a play were reaching its finale, until all that remained was black and white. The sounds of laughter and joy receded into the distance.

’Don’t... no...’

Chloe Reed screamed internally, a hoarse, anguished sound escaping her throat.

’I don’t want to wake up.’

’Dad, Mom...’

’Please don’t stop loving me.’

”Chloe? Chloe!”

A man’s anxious, worried voice reached her ears. Chloe Reed’s eyes flew open. Her breathing was ragged and uneven, and her cheeks were damp with tears.

Walker Grant reached out, cupping her face and wiping away the tears that streamed from the corners of her eyes.

”Don’t be scared. It was just a dream. I’m here...”

Walker Grant held her close, comforting her in a gentle voice.

Chloe Reed stared into the pitch-dark room, her eyes vacant and hollow. She couldn’t stop her quiet sobs.

’Was it just a dream?’

’Why was it just a dream?’

’Why couldn’t that happiness have lasted?’

’My parents loved me so much... Why did they just stop one day?’

Her vision blurred as her tears finally broke free. No longer able to control her emotions, she turned and buried her face in Walker Grant’s chest, sobbing her heart out.

Her cries were suppressed and sorrowful, a grief that had reached its peak. Scene after scene from the past flashed before her eyes.

Her last memories of them were so wretched and final.

Chloe Reed cried for a long time, until it felt as though she were completely dehydrated. Limp and strengthless, she let Walker Grant hold her.

The warmth from his body flowed into her, a steady stream that seemed to chase away the chill deep in her soul.

Walker Grant’s large hand stroked her back rhythmically, slowly and carefully soothing her frayed emotions.

A sliver of dawn light appeared in the sky. Chloe Reed got up to wash her face. When she came downstairs, she saw the old woman sitting on the sofa, looking at something on her phone and silently weeping.

Chloe Reed walked over, leaning down to give the old woman a hug.

The old woman asked, ”Did you sleep well last night?”

Chloe Reed nodded.

But the old woman looked at her red-rimmed eyes and sighed helplessly.

Fate can be so cruel.

Chloe Reed typed on her phone, ”I’ll have someone take you there.”

Upon reading this, the old woman’s expression faltered. ”Chloe, you’re not going?”

Chloe Reed shook her head, her eyes lowered as she typed, ”I was never her biological daughter. I don’t have any right to be there.”

”Sigh...”

The old woman sighed helplessly but didn’t press the issue.

She had seen it all and understood the source of Chloe’s anguish. Just because someone had died didn’t mean the problem was resolved.

The hurt had already been inflicted. To not dwell on it was the greatest courtesy she could offer the deceased.