Feeling unappreciated and exhausted, I decided I needed a break from my marriage. Just a little time to clear my head. But life had other plans. My car broke down miles away from home, leaving me stranded at a small motel. What was meant to be a simple getaway turned into something I never expected—a reunion that changed everything.
“Well, he doesn’t hit you. He doesn’t cheat. He doesn’t drink. What are you even complaining about?”
I had heard those words so many times that they echoed in my sleep. My parents, my friends, even my coworkers—they all repeated it like some universal truth.
For years, I swallowed my feelings, questioning my own unhappiness. But I followed the rules. I stayed. Because that’s what a good wife was supposed to do.
But now, the kids were grown. It was just me and Tony. And suddenly, I couldn’t ignore the truth anymore.
“You don’t clean well enough.”
“You never learned to cook like my mother.”
“You should do more.”
The words cut deep, not because they were new, but because they never stopped.
I worked just as much as Tony. Sometimes more. And yet, after a long day at work, I scrubbed the floors, washed dishes, and folded laundry while he sat on the couch watching TV like I owed him something.
One evening, he was sprawled across the couch again, remote in hand.
“Carmen!” His voice boomed through the house.
I sighed, my hands covered in flour as I kneaded dough for dinner. I wiped them on my apron.
“What?” I called back.
“Come here! Right now!”
My jaw clenched as I stomped into the living room. Tony didn’t even look at me. He just pointed at the television.
“Why is there dust on the TV?”
I let out a dry laugh. “If you don’t like it, clean it yourself.”
Tony scoffed. “Who’s the woman in this house? Me or you? I’m tired from work.”
“So am I,” I shot back. “I did the laundry. I’m making dinner. You’re sitting here doing nothing.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Stop making excuses. That’s your duty! Sarah from work has a job too, but she still does everything at home. And she looks amazing, while you—” He gestured at me. “You’ve let yourself go.”
Something inside me snapped.
I ripped off my apron and threw it to the floor. “You think she’s so perfect? Go live with her! Or clean your own mess! I’m done!”
I stormed upstairs, my heart pounding. Throwing open my closet, I grabbed a suitcase.
Tony’s heavy footsteps followed. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“On vacation! I deserve it!” I yanked clothes from my closet, not even bothering to fold them.
His voice rose in panic. “You’re just going to leave me here alone?”
I zipped up my suitcase. “I need to think about whether I even want this marriage anymore.”
Tony stared, mouth open, like he couldn’t believe I was actually doing this. Maybe he thought I’d calm down and apologize like I always did. But not this time.
I grabbed my suitcase, tossed it into the car, and drove off. The open road stretched before me, endless and full of possibilities. I had no plan. I just wanted space. Maybe a beach somewhere.
Stopping at a gas station, I grabbed a bottle of water and some snacks. As I reached the counter, I noticed the cashier staring at me.
No, not just staring. Studying me, as if trying to place me.
I frowned. “Do we know each other?”
A smirk spread across his face. “You once told me you’d never forget me.”
The voice, the eyes, the smile—it all came back in a rush.
“David,” I whispered.
He chuckled. “Nice to see you again.” He pulled me into a hug, firm but familiar. “What brings you here?”
“I’m on vacation,” I said, stepping back.
David raised an eyebrow. “Vacation? Alone?”
“Yes.”
“If you need a place to stay, I own a motel nearby. I can give you a discount.” He winked.
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I need some time alone.”
David nodded. “Alright. But if you change your mind, stop by.” He handed me his business card and walked out.
As I paid, my mind spun. Of all the places, at all the times, David appeared here. My first love, standing right in front of me at a random gas station.
Was it a sign?
I shoved the thought away and walked outside. But before I could even get a mile down the road, my car sputtered and stalled. I groaned and stepped out, popping the hood.
A car slowed beside me. The window rolled down.
“Trouble?” David smirked.
“Yes. My car won’t start.”
David leaned in and inspected the engine. After a moment, he shook his head. “You’ll need repairs.”
My stomach dropped. “But it was fine a minute ago!”
“It happens,” he said. “I know a mechanic. While you wait, you can stay at my motel.”
I hesitated. “Really? That would help a lot.”
David smiled. “Come on.”
At the motel, the mechanic checked my car. “You’ll need a few days.”
So I stayed. And in those days, David and I reconnected. We had breakfast at a small diner, reminisced about old times, and laughed in ways I hadn’t in years.
One evening, under a sky full of stars, I asked, “Have you ever regretted that we broke up?”
His eyes met mine. “Every single day.”
And just like that, my heart unraveled. One moment led to another. By morning, I woke up in his bed.
Then reality hit me like a wave. I had cheated.
I reached for my phone. A message from Tony:
Carmen, I know I wasn’t a good husband, but I love you. Please come back. I’ll change.
Tears blurred my vision. He had said that before.
I packed my bag, but before I could leave, I overheard David talking to the mechanic.
“So, you really broke her car?” the mechanic chuckled.
David smirked. “I had to make sure she stayed.”
My heart pounded. “How could you?”
David turned, eyes wide. “Carmen—”
“No! You lied! I won’t be controlled again!”
I grabbed my keys and drove away. Not back to Tony. Not to David.
For the first time in my life, I chose me.
