Chapter 37

Chapter 37

And so Jonathan's journey began with long days and late nights. From handling small tasks no one else wanted, to tackling the gritty details that made him question his own capabilities. He faced challenges at every turn—missed deadlines, critical clients, and sleepless nights reviewing reports under dim desk lamps. He threw himself into the work not only to make his parents proud but because of a deeper, personal resolve: he wanted to be worthy of Laura, a man she could look at with pride and security.

Back at home, however, Jonathan's absence cast a shadow. Eight months had passed, and for Laura, each day felt longer than the last. At first, she found ways to distract herself, convincing herself that he'd be back soon. But time wore on, and the gap he left behind grew wider. She couldn't ignore the pangs of loneliness that began to settle in her heart, nor the nagging thoughts that questioned whether his promises still held weight in his mind.

Jonathan, for all his dedication, became like a phantom to her—someone who lived only in the memories they had shared. No letters, no phone calls, not even a quick message to reassure her. The silence was louder than any words could have been, filling her with a creeping uncertainty. Laura had been strong at first, confident in his words and his commitment. Yet, as the weeks became months, that confidence began to feel hollow. What had been steady, unshakable trust gradually turned into an aching, fragile hope.

She kept her worries close, not wanting to let her parents in on her growing doubts. Friends noticed her withdrawn demeanor, and the once-vivid smile she wore in Jonathan's presence had faded into something reserved, guarded. When she walked past places they had once visited together, memories would rush back, overwhelming her. There was an ache in her chest that she couldn't shake, a feeling of loss that shouldn't have been there while he was still alive and well. She told herself that he might be working, fulfilling a promise to both her and himself, but doubt had a relentless grip.

Jonathan had made promises before that time and again, he let slip away. She had always forgiven him as her heart pieced itself back together with a patience that, despite her efforts, wore thinner with each disappointment. This time felt no different, and yet, the stakes were higher. He had promised her a future. But the silence stretching out between them felt like the silent acceptance that maybe this was another promise he would let go.

Sighing, Laura grabbed her car keys and phone, hoping a change of scenery would ease her mind. As she descended the stairs, her mother, Aurelia, noticed her from the kitchen, setting aside the vegetables she had been chopping.

"Where are you off to, dear?" Aurelia asked, her brow lifting in quiet curiosity.

"I'm going out, Mom." Laura smiled, careful to hide her troubled thoughts behind the practiced ease of her expression.

Aurelia glanced at the clock on the wall and then back at her daughter, a note of concern in her gaze. "But I'm making lunch?"

"Sorry, I'll be eating out today," Laura replied quickly, excusing herself as she reached the door.

Aurelia watched her go, her expression shifting to one of understanding. She knew Laura's heart had been strained by the long wait. Jonathan's absence weighed on them all, but it was Laura who bore the brunt of it. The promise he had made to come back and make her his wife had kept her going for so long. But months without even a glimpse of him had eroded some of that quiet faith.

It wasn't lost on Aurelia how her daughter's resilience had frayed. She knew the years Laura had waited for Jonathan had been marked by unwavering loyalty—and the worry of watching Laura slowly lose hope tugged at her.

As Laura closed the door behind her, Aurelia sighed, letting her hands rest on the countertop. She wanted her daughter to find peace, to have something she could rely on—whether it was Jonathan or someone new. But for now, all she could do was watch and hope that whatever path Laura chose would lead her to the happiness she deserved.

Meanwhile, Laura drove toward the city's public library, seeking a reprieve from the persistent thoughts of Jonathan. The library, with its tall columns and aged brickwork, now felt like a sanctuary where she could let her mind drift into stories and ideas that had nothing to do with him or the hollow promises that lingered in her heart. Today, more than ever, she needed that escape.

As she parked and made her way inside, the familiar scent of paper and ink wrapped around her like a calming embrace. Laura wandered the aisles, her fingers grazing the spines of books, feeling the reassurance of a world that stayed the same even when everything else seemed uncertain. She selected a novel from a nearby shelf, flipping through its worn pages, hoping its story might silence the lingering ache in her chest.

She then found a quiet corner by a window and settled into an armchair, allowing herself to disappear into the words on the page. But every now and then, she caught her mind drifting back to Jonathan, the way he used to laugh with her, the promises he had made, and how much she'd believed in them. She scolded herself, bringing her focus back to the page. This was her time, her space. She wasn't going to let him haunt even this refuge.

But just as she began to immerse herself, her phone buzzed on the table beside her, breaking her focus. Her heart leapt, hoping for a moment that it might be Jonathan. But as she picked it up, she found it was just a message from a friend, inviting her out for lunch.

With a sigh, Laura leaned back and gazed out the window. She wondered if she was foolish for holding on, or if perhaps, just perhaps, Jonathan might still be worth waiting for.

Laura hesitated a moment, but the thought of spending time with someone who could pull her out of her own head was tempting. And so she picked up her phone again and replied, accepting the lunch invitation from a close college classmate

Sliding the book back onto the shelf, she felt a small lift in her mood—this could be the distraction she needed. As she stepped out of the library and made her way to the café where they agreed to meet, Laura breathed in the fresh air, letting her worries drift away, at least for a while.

When she arrived, her friend, was already waiting at a table near the window, waving her over with a bright smile. They exchanged hugs and settled into their table.

"So," she started, smirking. "What's new with you, Ms. Too-Busy-to-Text-Back? I almost thought you'd forgotten about me," she teased, nudging Laura's arm.

Laura snorted, rolling her eyes. "Please, like you'd let me forget. I'm just...dealing with life, you know? Same old, trying to figure things out."

"Hmm," Mikaela raised a brow, pretending to analyze her. "Sounds suspiciously like code for 'I'm going through something I don't want to talk about yet.' Spill it. I know you too well."

Laura sighed, laughing. "Fine, fine. I might've been a little overwhelmed lately." She glanced out the window, her smile fading a little. "You ever feel like...you're supposed to be doing something but don't know what?"

"Oh, every day," Mikaela replied with a grin. "But hey, sometimes you just gotta go with it. And you? You've always had a plan. You're just in a... 'finding yourself' phase. It happens."

Laura gave her a soft smile, grateful for Mikaela's easygoing perspective. "Maybe you're right."

Mikaela's expression turned mischievous again. "Good, because you're gonna need that attitude for the reunion next month. You are coming, right?"

Laura blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, the reunion? That's next month? I thought that got canceled or something."

"Oh, girl, no. It's happening, and everyone is going," Mikaela said, giving Laura a look. "It's the whole group from college. You, me, the old crew. Don't tell me you're bailing on us!"

Laura laughed, shaking her head. "Honestly, I hadn't even thought about it. It's been years since I saw most of them. What's the point?"

Mikaela rolled her eyes. "The point, my dear Laura, is free food, drinks, and—best of all—prime people-watching. Plus, you can judge who turned into the corporate zombies, who's still chasing random dreams, and who's living out their rockstar fantasies."

Laura couldn't help but laugh. "When you put it like that...maybe I am tempted."

"Tempted? Girl, you're going!" Mikaela grinned. "Come on, imagine the fun of us side-eyeing all the 'I'm married, have three kids, and own a yacht' conversations. And hey, maybe you'll even run into a few of the exes you've conveniently forgotten about."

Laura laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, please—that's you. I don't have any exes stashed away."

Mikaela gave her a look, leaning in with a smirk. "Alright, fair. But what about old admirers, then? You remember Red?" She raised her brows meaningfully, clearly enjoying this. "He's supposedly some big-shot engineer now. Rumor has it, he's done well for himself."

Laura's smile faltered, then she chuckled. "Oh no, you're not dragging me into that territory. Red was your crush!"

Mikaela laughed, rolling her eyes. "A minor crush that didn't survive physics class, thank you. But he always had a soft spot for you."

"Oh, don't start!" Laura groaned, laughing despite her thought of actually considering of possible love potentials.