Chapter 7: Glass Houses

7

Ten years ago, I gave up a great job to stay in the States for Hannah. I ignored everyone’s warnings and proposed right after graduation. I thought I’d found something real. Turns out, even a stranger on the street meant more to her than I ever did.

I watched her getting ready, layering on makeup, and felt nothing but cold finality. We were finished.

……

After she left, I kept busy. There were bigger things to deal with. I went to the hospital for a checkup—no idea how long she’d been doing this. Our sex life had cooled, but a month ago we’d been together, and I hadn’t used protection, thinking we were exclusive.

The wait for results was torture, but finally, everything came back clear. I exhaled, relief flooding me.

Meanwhile, Hannah kept blowing up my phone, sending sexy photos and messages, trying to lure me back.

"Hey babe, when are you coming? I miss you."

I blocked her, finally letting go. I started packing to move abroad—this time, for good.

From her Instagram Stories, I saw she’d even brought men back to our place, turning our home into something unrecognizable. I couldn’t take it. I moved out and put the house on the market.

She kept messaging:

"Dave, my friend canceled. I’m home now. Did you go out? I’ll wait for you."

"Dave, why is someone coming to see our house? I’m scared, when are you coming home?"

"Dave, why aren’t you replying? Did something happen?"

I was buried in paperwork and logistics. When I finally surfaced, Mike Callahan called, angry as hell.

"Dave Sullivan, what the hell? Why’d you steal my shot at going abroad? You owe me, man."

"I had your back—even woke you up about your wife—and now you screw me over?"

I laughed. That job was mine, and he had no right to complain.

"Relax, man. I got something for you. Go to the address I send—trust me, you’ll love the surprise."

Mike snorted.

"Knew you wouldn’t do me dirty."

Hannah, pacing the living room, was about to go looking for me when the doorbell rang. She opened the door, expecting me—only to see Mike Callahan’s smug face. She froze, smile fading.

"Wh... why is it you?"

And just like that, everything I thought was solid—marriage, friendship, home—turned out to be glass. Sometimes, the people you trust most are the ones who show you how easily your world can shatter.