On the evening of my birthday, Graham took me by car to a remote stargazing spot nestled among mountains, a place shrouded in mystery and rumored to make any wish come true.
My dream of a romantic moment had always been to admire the dazzling stars with my beloved, swearing eternal promises to each other. Yet, as I stood there, feeling the night's chill, I realized the beauty of the stars couldn't warm my heart.
Even in Graham's presence, the joy I anticipated didn't swell in my heart as I had hoped. Instead, I felt a profound sense of desolation and loneliness. In that moment, Graham's unease became my only solace.
I decided to document this emotion, snapping a photo of the night sky to share on social media. Shortly, my phone vibrated with a response from Penelope.
She attached a photo of herself and Graham in an intimate embrace, her cheeks flushed with pride gleaming in her eyes. Her message was provocatively written:
"Miss Taylor, it appears you still fail to grasp that Graham's heart is already tightly bound to mine. You are merely a transient figure in his life."
My reply was dismissive, "From whence does your confidence spring? Graham is here with me now. Are you certain you truly understand him?"
After a moment's silence, Penelope bombarded me with messages, a mix of taunts and threats, "If he learns you've been keeping him from seeing our Harley, it's over for you."
Choosing to overlook her provocations, I softly tugged at Graham's sleeve, suggesting, "Let's find another place. Though beautiful, I wish to explore beyond this starry vista."
Upon our return to the car, Graham noticed he'd missed several calls. He dialed back immediately, unable to hide his anxiousness.
On the line, Penelope's tone shifted to one of urgency and apology, "Graham, I'm sorry... I don't know what to do anymore. I tried reaching out to Melinda, but she hasn't informed you... Harley is seriously ill."
Graham's expression darkened, and he sternly told me, "Melinda Taylor, get out of the car."
I retorted with a laugh, "Do you truly intend to abandon me here, in the wilderness?"
"I won't repeat myself. Get out," he said, his voice cold and decisive.
Left alone as Graham drove away, I stood in the biting wind, my mind swirling with confusion and indignation. Penelope sent another message, her tone reveling in my misfortune, "Ejected from the car? Remember, don't overestimate your worth."
In the chill of that lonely night, I made an urgent call. A sleek black sedan soon pulled up before me. As the window lowered, Lawyer Hudson's voice reached me through the breeze, "Miss Taylor, please, get in."
I quickly sent screenshots of my exchanges with Penelope to Lawyer Hudson, securing them as potential evidence for future use.
As the car glided into the night, Graham sent a message with a piece of advice, "Keep disputes between adults; I wish to avoid any further involvement of the child."
My response was calm, my fingertips lightly caressing the screen, "Reconsider those items you associate with Penelope. Among them, a ring; the ending of the love letter, lifted from my grandfather's diary. These are mine, please return them."
After sending the message, I chose to sever all ties, heading alone to my newly acquired apartment, immersing myself in solitude. In that quiet refuge, Lawyer Hudson's words echoed, "Miss Taylor, we are poised to annul the engagement, though it may bring a storm upon the Taylor family."
"I understand. Sometimes, self-sacrifice is necessary to forestall a greater calamity."
In the ensuing days, I devoted myself to reorganizing projects for Graham's students and fighting for scholarships for the less fortunate among them.
My years of savings enabled me to support several students through their studies. The futures of these young minds should not be the casualties of adult conflicts.
