Before the fall
1097 Words
(Alina)
The place was full of laughter, and I heard my mother’s voice from the living room. People were here already—family, friends, all of them waiting to celebrate something that wasn’t going to happen.
I walked past the decorations. The balloons, the flowers, the cake. It all felt like a joke. I didn’t look at anyone. I went straight to the back, where I knew Jason would be waiting. I opened the sliding door and stepped out onto the patio.
He was on the phone, pacing. The second he saw me, he smiled like nothing in the world could touch him.
“There she is,” he said, hanging up. “You’ve woke up late.”
I stared at him, and for a second, I couldn’t believe I used to love him. That I let him hold me. That I cried for him. The man who kissed my forehead as I bled out on the floor.
“I need to talk to you,” I said.
Jason raised a brow. “Now?”
“Yes. Now.”
He nodded, stepping forward. “You okay? You look a little pale.”
I ignored that. “It’s over, Jason.”
His smile faltered. “What?”
I folded my arms. “You and me. We’re done.”
He laughed. Actually laughed. “Alina, what are you talking about? You’re just nervous. It’s a big day. Everyone’s waiting—”
“I’m not nervous.” I snapped. “I’m done pretending.”
He blinked. “Pretending what?”
“That this is love. That you’re the man I’m supposed to marry. That I don’t see what’s happening.”
His jaw clenched. “What the hell is this, Alina?”
“I’m ending this,” I said, without a doubt in my mind. “I don’t want you anymore.”
He took a step closer. “Where is this coming from?”
I stayed still. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it matters,” he snapped. “One minute you’re planning a wedding, and the next you’re talking like you hate me?”
I tilted my head. “Maybe I should.”
“Bullshit,” he said. “We’ve had rough patches, sure, but I’ve been trying. You’ve seen that. I’ve been here, putting in the effort.”
“Right,” I said quietly. “You’ve been here. But that’s not the same as being with me.”
His eyes narrowed. “So what? You just wake up and decide you’re done?”
“Exactly.”
He shook his head, stepping back. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to throw everything away.”
I laughed once. “Watch me.”
“Alina, don’t be dramatic—”
“I’m not,” I cut in. “I’m calm. I’m very, very calm.”
He pointed toward the house. “What about everyone in there? Your mom, your friends—”
“They’ll get over it.”
He stared at me. “You’re not thinking straight. You’re not yourself.”
“I think this is the most myself I’ve been in a long time.”
His voice lowered. “What’s really going on with you?”
I shrugged. “Maybe I woke up.”
Jason was silent for a second. Then he moved in close, lowering his voice. “You’re not leaving me. Not after everything we’ve built.”
I met his eyes. “What have we built, Jason?”
He opened his mouth but didn’t answer.
“That’s what I thought.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “We can fix this. I’ll take a step back from work, we can take a trip, just us—”
“There’s nothing to fix,” I said. “This isn’t a phase. I don’t love you anymore.”
His eyes darkened. “You’re lying.”
I shook my head. “I’m not.”
“You’re lying because you’re scared.”
“No,” I said. “I’m done being scared.”
He looked at me like he didn’t recognize me. “What happened to you?”
“You did.”
He flinched.
I took a deep breath. “I’m not going to make a scene today. I’m not going to ruin your life. But I’m not marrying you. And I’m not staying.”
“You’re going to regret this.”
I almost smiled. “I already regret ever saying yes.”
Jason glared at me. His whole body went rigid. “Is there someone else?”
I raised a brow. “That’s what you think this is about?”
“Answer the question.”
“What if there is someone else? What can you do about it Jason?”
He scoffed. "So, you're cheating on me. that's why you want us to break up.”
“That’s enough now.”
He took a step back, like he finally saw that I was serious. “You really mean it.”
I nodded.
He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Maybe. But at least I’m finally being honest.”
He leaned against the railing, gripping it tight. “So what, you walk out and we’re just over?”
“Yeah. That’s how this works.”
“What the hell am I supposed to tell everyone?”
“Tell them whatever you want. Lie, if that makes you feel better. You’re good at it.”
Jason’s eyes moved up to mine. I could see the question forming, but he didn’t ask it. He didn’t know what I knew.
I turned to leave.
“You walk away now, there’s no coming back,” he warned.
I looked over my shoulder. “That’s the point.”
I stepped inside, and the noise hit me all at once—cheers, laughter, music. It was all wrong.
I walked to my mother, leaned in, and whispered, “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”
She blinked at me, confused. “Alina, what’s going on?”
“I’ll explain later.”
I didn’t wait for her answer. I kept walking until I was outside, away from the noise. My hands were shaking, but I kept moving.
Behind me, I heard Jason calling my name. I didn’t turn around.
Let him chase. Let him wonder. Let him scream.
I wasn’t the same girl who cried in the shower. I wasn’t the one who begged for love or forgiveness.
Not anymore.
Now, I had a second chance.
And I was going to use it to destroy them both.
- Writer
