The Marriage Gamble

Seeking Closure

Six months had passed since Sonja and Antoine's breakup, and the void left by his absence had settled deep within Sonja's heart. Her café had flourished, but each success felt hollow without someone to share it with. Antoine's presence lingered in her thoughts, a constant reminder of what could have been.

On a Friday night, Sonja found herself surrounded by her three best friends—Ava, Amelie, and Kayla—at her apartment. They had decided to have a girls' night to lift Sonja's spirits. Laughter filled the air, and glasses of wine clinked together as they reminisced about old times and shared stories.

By midnight, the room was buzzing with a tipsy energy. Sonja, a bit more intoxicated than the rest, found herself clutching her phone, her heart heavy with longing. The conversation had turned to relationships, and as her friends spoke about their significant others, Sonja's thoughts drifted back to Antoine.

"I miss him," she mumbled, her voice thick with emotion. "I miss Antoine so much."

Ava, always the practical one, tried to steer the conversation away from the melancholy. "Come on, Sonja, let's not dwell on the past. Let's have fun tonight!"

But Sonja couldn't shake the feeling. Her fingers hovered over Antoine's contact on her phone. The wine had lowered her inhibitions, and before she knew it, she had pressed the call button. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer. Instead, it went to voicemail.

"Hey, this is Antoine. Leave a message."

Tears welled up in Sonja's eyes as she began to speak. "Antoine, it's me, Sonja. I... I miss you so much. I know it's been months, but I can't stop thinking about you. I miss your voice, your laugh... everything. I'm sorry if this is weird, but I just needed to tell you. I miss you."

Her voice broke as she started to sob, and her friends, realizing what was happening, rushed to her side. Ava tried to take the phone from her, but Sonja clung to it, her emotions pouring out uncontrollably.

"It's okay, Sonja," Amelie said gently, placing a comforting hand on her back. "We're here for you."

Kayla, always the peacekeeper, managed to pry the phone from Sonja's grasp. "Let's just put this away for now," she said, placing it on the coffee table. "You need to rest."

An hour later, after some water and a bit of sobering up, Sonja finally fell asleep on the couch, her tear-streaked face a testament to the emotional toll of the evening. Amelie and Kayla, trying to lighten the mood, turned on some music and began dancing in the living room, their laughter a soothing background noise.

Suddenly, Sonja's phone buzzed on the coffee table. Antoine's name flashed on the screen. Ava, who was closest, picked it up, her own senses dulled by alcohol.

"Hello?" she answered, her tone slightly slurred.

"Ava?" Antoine's voice was cautious. "Is Sonja okay?"

Ava's initial surprise gave way to frustration. "Antoine, do you know what you've done to her? She's been a mess ever since you guys broke up. She misses you so much, and it's tearing her apart."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Antoine sighed. "I know, Ava. I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt her. Can you tell her I'll call her when she's sober? I want to talk to her."

Ava softened slightly, hearing the regret in his voice. "Fine, but you better not make her cry again."

"I promise," Antoine replied. "Thank you, Ava."

After the call ended, Ava placed the phone back on the table and joined Amelie and Kayla in their impromptu dance party. The night continued, but the mood was more subdued, each of them silently hoping that this unexpected contact might bring some closure or, better yet, a new beginning for their friend.