A trip with my college friend was supposed to save my marriage, but her hidden motives left me questioning everything I thought I knew. By the time I realized her true intentions, I was on the brink of losing it all.
The days blurred into one continuous loop of quiet mornings and evenings. I woke up every morning, looking over at the empty side of the bed, and found my husband, Michael, already gone, either working or lost in his phone, barely noticing me.
We used to stay up late, sharing stories and planning spontaneous weekend trips just because we wanted to. Those moments felt like fragments of a distant past.
There was an empty vase on the kitchen counter like a silent reminder of the flowers he used to bring home “just because.”
One afternoon, while shopping, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
“Lauren! Is that you?”
I turned and saw Vivian, my college friend. She radiated energy like a burst of color in my otherwise gray world.
“Vivian!” I exclaimed, surprised to see her.
We hugged, and for a moment, it was as if the years melted away. Vivian had always been full of bold ideas and stories.
“So,” she asked, “how’s life? Still with Michael?”
“Yes, we’re… still together,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “Life’s just… well, it’s gotten a bit routine, you know? Nothing like the excitement of your life.”
“Routine, huh? Well, maybe it’s time you shook things up!”
She reached into her purse and pulled out two plane tickets.
“My ex and I were supposed to go to Spain. But since I’m single now, I’ve got a spare ticket. You should come with me!”
“Vivian, I don’t know…” I began, though my voice sounded weak even to me. “I haven’t traveled in years, not on my own.”
She smiled knowingly, giving me a little nudge.
“Lauren, you deserve to live a little. Just one week. Spain. Sun, markets, beaches. No routines, just freedom.”
The idea of breaking away, even for a short while, felt both terrifying and exhilarating.
“All right,” I said softly, a hint of excitement breaking through my hesitation.
Vivian grinned wide. “Spain, here we come!”
The trip felt like a dream from the very moment we landed. Spain was alive with color, and every corner seemed to hum with life. Vivian was practically bouncing with excitement as she pulled me along from one spot to another.
“Oh, Lauren, look at those scarves!” Vivian squealed as we wandered through a bustling market. “And those earrings — they’re so you!”
I laughed, actually feeling the joy bubble up from somewhere deep inside.
“I don’t know, Vivian. Since when are bright red scarves ‘so me’?”
“Since today!” she declared, holding the scarf up to my face with a dramatic flair. “Come on, you need some color in your life!”
She was right. Everything felt more vivid here — the rich scents of spices in the air and the colorful stalls. I allowed myself to get lost in it.
We moved on to a little café nearby. The air smelled of fresh pastries and coffee, and we settled into a cozy corner. Vivian took a sip of her coffee, watching me closely over the rim of her cup.
“Do you ever wonder, Lauren,” she began slowly, “how things ended up this way? Like, when did life get so… predictable?”
I sighed, looking down at my cup. “Michael barely even sees me. Even when I’m far away from him, he never texts or calls.”
“That’s hard. I get it, you know. It’s lonely.”
“It’s like I’m on autopilot. I just… I don’t know. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m even the same person he fell in love with.”
Vivian squeezed my hand. “You’ve been putting yourself last for so long, and this is your chance. This trip is just what you needed.”
“I almost forgot how good it feels to just… let go.”
After we finished our coffee, we decided to take a slow walk back to our hotel. Then, out of nowhere, I saw a face I hadn’t thought about in years.
My steps slowed, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Jake — my ex-boyfriend! He was walking toward us.
“Lauren?” he asked, his eyes widening with surprise.
I felt half delight, half shock. “Jake! Wow, I can’t believe it. What are the odds?”
He laughed with that same charming smile that had once been so irresistible. “I never thought I’d see you here! Are you on vacation?”
“Yes, actually,” I said, glancing at Vivian, who watched us with a knowing smile. “This is my friend, Vivian.”
“Nice to meet you, Vivian,” Jake said, extending a hand. “I can’t believe I’m running into you here, Lauren. It’s been… what, ten years?”
“Feels like a lifetime,” I replied, feeling a little rush of nostalgia.
He suddenly glanced at his watch. “Listen, I’d love to hear more about what you’ve been up to. How about dinner? Just to catch up, of course.”
I hesitated, the word NO was on the tip of my tongue. But then I felt Vivian’s hand on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze.
“Go on, Lauren,” she whispered. “It’s just dinner. No harm in a little catching up, right?”
I hadn’t heard from Michael in the last few days, and a part of me needed some attention. “Sure. Dinner sounds nice.”
“Great,” he smiled.
As soon as Jake was out of sight, Vivian let out a laugh and nudged me playfully.
“Well, that was a twist! Your ex, here in Spain? This has all the makings of a great story!”