Night had settled in by the time Natalie met up with her boyfriend, Ryan. They had agreed to have dinner together, and now, seated across from him, she could hardly bring herself to meet his eyes.
She forced a small smile as they made light conversation, but the weight of what she was about to do made her chest feel tight, her heart heavy with dread. She didn't want to go through with it, but she knew it was the right thing to do.
As Ryan talked, his voice bright and cheerful, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She had spent so much time and effort looking for someone like him—a man who made her feel safe, who could make her laugh even on her worst days.
