Ten years without results

After ten years together, Ethan still hadn't proposed. I couldn't help but ask him if he ever would. His response was calm, almost businesslike, deflecting the question with practiced ease. I looked down at the photo on my phone. His new secretary, Melissa, was wearing a diamond ring touted as "The One" and a wedding dress supposedly the only one of its kind in the world. She was nestled in his arms, smiling, and he was looking back at her with tenderness. Suddenly, I didn't want a future with him anymore.

1.

Melissa was bubbly and outgoing. As we left work, she chirped, "Is your hubby picking you up again, Ashley? I'm so jealous! You guys are still so sweet after ten years."

My rival, Jessica, scoffed. "Ten years and no ring? He’s clearly not serious. It’s pathetic she still calls that love."

My friend, Sarah, jumped to my defense. "You obviously haven't heard about the 'Everlasting Love' diamond he bought at auction last month. And someone at his company told me he commissioned a one-of-a-kind wedding dress from a French designer a year ago."

Jessica's face fell. Trying to save face, she muttered, "Just wait and see," before storming off.

Sarah wanted to retort, but I stopped her. "Let it go," I whispered. Jessica wasn’t wrong. Ethan hadn't shown any real intention of marrying me.

Outside, it was snowing. The wind cut through my scarf, sending a chill down my spine. I scanned the street, but Ethan's black SUV wasn’t there. I checked my phone. Instead of the usual flurry of texts, there was only one, sent hours ago: "Working late. Take a cab."

I took a deep breath and called him. After a long pause, he answered. "Hey, what's up?" His voice was unusually husky. I also heard a brief, distinctly feminine giggle, quickly silenced as if someone had warned her.

I pretended not to notice. "What are you doing?"

There was a rustling sound, like fabric shifting. Ethan’s voice became impatient. "Working. Gotta go."

"Wait," I interrupted. "Do you remember what today is?"

Silence. I pressed on before he could answer. "Our ten-year anniversary. Come pick me up. I'll wait at the office."

I hung up.

2.

While waiting, I watched Melissa wave goodbye and run towards her boyfriend. He was shivering, his cheeks red from the cold, but he grinned as he pulled a steaming hot dog from his pocket. She’d told me they were struggling financially, but their love seemed genuine, unaffected by their circumstances.

It reminded me of our early years, when Ethan and I were broke. He’d always bring me little treats – sometimes a slice of pizza, sometimes ice cream. I’d scold him for wasting money, and he’d just smile and say, "I want you to have nice things. I want to see you happy."

Back then, perched on the back of his bicycle, even when we were struggling, even when work was stressful, I felt content. Now, Ethan drove a luxury car, but the small gestures of affection had disappeared. Maybe he’d forgotten. Maybe he no longer cared.

The drive from his office to...