Feeling underappreciated and fatigued, I decided to take a vacation from my marriage to clear my mind. However, when my car broke down miles from home, I found myself trapped in a little motel. What began as a casual weekend quickly turned into an unexpected reunion—one that changed everything.

“Well, he doesn’t hit you, cheat, or drink.” What are you complaining about?” I’d heard this sentence so many times that I could say it in my sleep.

My friends, my parents, and even my coworkers repeated it as if it were a universal fact.

I’d spent my entire life fighting against this injustice, criticizing it discreetly. But, in the end, I did obey the rules. Because this is what I was taught.

Now that the kids had grown up and left the house, it was just me and Tony. And the reality became difficult to ignore.

“You don’t clean well enough.” “You never learned to cook like my mother.” “You should do more.”

The words pierced deep, not because they were new, but because they continued without interruption.

I worked as much as he did. I made more than him. And yet, after a hard day, I scrubbed floors, cleaned dishes, and folded laundry while he reclined on the couch, watching TV, as if I owed him anything.

Tony sprawled down in front of the television once more. “Carmen!” his voice echoed across the living room.

I exhaled. My hands were coated in flour from kneading the dough. I wiped them on my apron and continued working. “What?” I phoned back.

“Come here!” “Right now!” he demanded.

I tightened my jaw and entered the living room. Tony sprawled on the couch, not even glancing at me.

“What do you want?” I asked while crossing my arms.

He pointed at the TV. “Why is there dust on the TV?”

I gave a quick laugh. “If you don’t like it, clean it yourself.”

Tony sneered. “Who is the woman in this house?” “Me or you?” He shakes his head. “I’m tired from work.”

“So am I,” I said. “I did the laundry.” I’m preparing supper. “You are sitting there doing nothing.”

He waved his hand. “Quit creating excuses. That is your obligation! Sarah from work also has a job, but she does everything from home. And she looks stunning, while you—” He gestured at me. “You’ve let yourself go.”

The words landed hard. They weren’t new, but this time, something inside me broke. I pulled off my apron and flung it on the floor.

“Do you think she is so perfect? Go live with her. Alternatively, you could tidy up your own mess! I shouted. I turned and stormed upstairs, my pulse racing. I grabbed a suitcase and slammed open the closet.

Tony’s footsteps thundered behind me. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“On vacation!” “I deserved it!” I tossed the garments in the luggage without folding them.

“You’re just going to leave me here alone?” His voice became panicked.

I zipped the suitcase closed. “I need to think about whether I even want this marriage anymore!” Tony stood there, mouth wide and unable to speak. Perhaps he believed I was faking.

Maybe he thought I’d cool down, unpack my belongings, and apologize like I usually did. But not this time. I’d hit my limit.

I packed my luggage, placed it in the vehicle, and drove away without looking back. The road spread out before me, wide and limitless.

I had no strategy, only the desire for room. Somewhere near the shore seemed appealing.

I couldn’t recall the last time I took a vacation or did something for myself.

I went by a petrol station to refuel and get some water. Inside, I grabbed a drink and some munchies before heading to the desk. A man stood there and stared at me. He seems familiar.

I shifted my weight, uncomfortable beneath his stare. He wasn’t simply gazing at me. He was looking at me, as if trying to remember me.

“Do we know each other?” I inquired, narrowing my gaze.

A sneer appeared on his face. “You once said you’d never forget me.”

My breath caught in my throat. The voice, the eyes, the way he smiled—it all came back quickly. “David…” I whispered.

He chuckled. “Nice to see you again.” He gave me a fierce but familiar embrace. “What brings you here?”

“I’m on vacation,” I explained, stepping back.

David lifted an eyebrow. “Vacation? “All by yourself?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“If you need somewhere to stay, I own a hotel nearby. I can offer you a discount. He winked.

I shake my head. “No, thank you. “I need some time alone.”

David nodded. “Alright. But if you change your mind, come by.” He handed me his business card and went away. I glanced at the card in my fingers, my pulse racing.

My thoughts continued whirling as I handed my money to the clerk. David had appeared at this location and at this time.

My first love was standing right in front of me at a random petrol station off the side of the road.

It seemed too unusual to be a coincidence. Was this a sign? Was this encounter meant to happen?

I pushed the notion away, took my change, and walked outside. David had already left. There was no evidence of him, as if he had never been there.

I got into my car and pulled onto the road. The roadway stretched ahead, deserted and unending.

But before I could even go a quarter mile, the engine stuttered. The automobile lurched forward before stalling altogether.

I muttered and walked outside, raising the hood. Everything appeared regular, but I didn’t know what I was searching for.

A automobile slowed down beside me. The window rolled down. “Trouble?” David inquired, grinning.

I crossed my arms and gave a disgruntled groan. “Yes, my automobile does not start. “I have no idea what is wrong.”

David got out of his car and walked over. He leaned beneath the hood to examine the engine. After a minute, he shook his head. “You’re going to need repairs.”

My stomach sank. “What? It was operating well just a minute ago.”

“Cars break down, Carmen.” “It happens,” he explained. I know a mechanic. He can have a peek. While you wait, you are welcome to stay at my hotel.”

I paused. “Really? “That would be extremely helpful.” David nodded as I moved into the passenger seat. His travel to the hotel was silent yet enjoyable.

When we arrived, David had parked outside a small but well-maintained building with a blazing neon Vacancy sign.

“Welcome to my little place,” he replied, holding open the door for me. He offered me a room key and shook his head when I went to get my wallet.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Consider it a favor for an old friend.” I hesitated but ultimately agreed.

Later, the mechanic inspected my vehicle. “You’ll need a few days,” he explained, wiping his hands on a cloth.

This meant I was stranded there. But maybe things weren’t so horrible. It gave me time to breathe. To think. And chat to David.

We began spending almost every moment together. In the morning, he drove me to a tiny diner down the street.

We spoke about everything over eggs and coffee—where life had led us, the aspirations we once had, and the ones we had to let go of.

In the evenings, he invited me to supper and insisted on paying. He was different from the boy I used to know, yet still the same.

The warmth in his eyes, the way he smiled, and the way he looked at me—it all brought back memories I hadn’t allowed myself to experience in years.

At first, I was reluctant to confess it. But whenever he smiled at me, my stomach flipped. My hands felt clammy.

My heart hammered as it hadn’t in a long time. It felt as if I had jumped back in time, back to being sixteen and falling in love with him again.

One evening, we sat on the motel’s patio, the air pleasant and scented with night-blooming flowers. I watched him sip his drink, his eyes locked on the stars overhead.

“Have you ever regretted that we broke up?” I asked.

His eyes met me, stern but gentle. “Every single day.”

The words sunk deeply. Without thinking, I leaned in. His lips touched mine, hesitantly at first, then eagerly. One moment led to the next, and by dawn, I was awake in his bed.

Reality struck me like a frigid wave. Shame crept across my flesh. I’d cheated. I sat up and gripped the blanket.

My hands trembled as I grabbed for the phone. Tony had sent me a message. It had come during the middle of the night.

Carmen, I know I haven’t been the best husband, but after you went, I understood how much I adore and miss you. Please forgive me for everything. I promise I’ll change; just come back.

Tears obscured my eyesight. Tony, who had ignored me for years, suddenly wanted me back.

He promised he would change, but hadn’t I heard this before? Nevertheless, I had deceived him.

I slid out of bed without awakening David. I quietly returned to my own room and started packing.

I needed to go home. A knock on the door came just as I was zipping up my suitcase. My breath caught. I hesitated before opening it.

David waited in the doorway, his emotions ranging from warmth to uncertainty. “Where did you disappear?” I woke up and found you gone. I assumed we’d eat breakfast together.”

I tightened my grasp on the suitcase’s handle. “I’m going home.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Home? Why?”

“Tony apologized,” I responded in a firm voice. “He says he’s ready to change.”

David’s jaw constricted. “Carmen, you informed me yourself. He has said that previously. He’s never altered.”

I looked down. “I have to give him one last chance.”

“But your car isn’t ready yet,” David explained. “I’ll take the bus,” I responded.

David stretched for my hand. “Please don’t leave. Stay with me. His voice lowered to a whisper. “I love you.”

My heart pounded as I took my hand away. I passed by David without speaking.

His presence lingered behind me, but I refused to look around. Even though my heart was aching, I couldn’t leave my marriage that lightly. I got on the bus and sunk into a window seat.

But my mind wasn’t present. It was with David. His words rang in my mind.

Tony had pledged to change before. Every time I forgave him, he returned to his old habits. So, why was I attempting to repair something that had been damaged for years?

My pulse accelerated. I couldn’t do it. I sprang up from my seat, disregarding the surprised expressions of the other passengers. The doors were nearly closing, but I dashed to the front. “Stop! “Let me out!”

The driver sighed and pulled over. I leaped off and ran back to the hotel. I entered the lobby, breathless. A staff worker glanced up. “David’s outside,” she said. “By your car.”

I ran out, but as I approached, I heard the mechanic talk. His comments caused me to freeze. Something sounded weird. I remained concealed and listened.

“Well, that was quite the scheme you pulled,” the technician observed, shaking his head.

David crossed his arms. “You do not comprehend. I needed to make sure she stayed.”

The mechanic gave a quick laugh. “I’ve seen men come to me after their wives broke their cars in anger, but I’ve never seen a man break a woman’s car before.”

I felt my stomach plummet. What? My chest clenched as I grabbed the wall for support. Did David do this?

The mechanic cleaned his hands with a cloth. “There was no problem with it. We repaired it on the first day.”

I went forward, my voice trembling. “How could you?!”

David turned, his eyes wide. “Carmen?” My hands trembled, but I stood my ground. “How could you lie to me?”

His expression relaxed. “But I did it for us.”

“For us?” I repeated, my tone increasing. “You understood what I’d gone through! You know how much I struggled since Tony never appreciated me! You did the same thing!”

David threw his hands up. “How else would you have stayed?”

I clenched my fist. “I am a grown woman!” “I can make my own decisions about my life!”

David moved closer. “I just helped you!” His voice became frantic. “Now we can be together!”

I shake my head. “Do you know what? I was prepared to leave Tony for you. But I refuse to exchange one domineering guy for another.”

His face dropped. “Carmen, please, I only wanted what was best.”

I took a step backward. “No, David. “You wanted the best for yourself.”

I stepped up to the mechanic. “Keys,” I said.

He quickly dug into his pocket and handed them over.

I grabbed the keys hard, walked to my car, and got inside. My fingers shook as I started the engine.

David approached me, mouth wide, but I didn’t wait to hear what he had to say.

I put my foot on the gas and drove away. I was not going back to Tony. I was not staying with David.

For the first time in my life, I picked a single individual who would listen to and respect me. Myself.