The next morning, Ava stirred awake to the warm sunlight filtering through the curtains. She stretched lazily and smiled, expecting to find Justin by her side. Instead, she noticed an unusual sight— the dining table was filled with an array of dishes, each more tempting than the last. There was only one plate set at the head of the table, and the scent of breakfast wafted through the room.
She called out, her voice filled with cheerful surprise, "Oh, Justin, you woke up early and made all this?"
There was no response. Ava assumed he was in the restroom, and her heart swelled with affection for him. But as she approached the table, her gaze fell on a letter neatly placed beside the plate. Her heart sank as she unfolded it.
The letter read:
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**Dear Ava,**
I hope this letter finds you in a place where you can feel a glimmer of peace amidst the whirlwind of emotions. I am writing to you from a place of deep regret and an aching heart. I couldn't bear the thought of seeing you cry, so I made the decision to leave without saying goodbye in person. It was a cowardly move, and for that, I am truly sorry.
Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The truth is, I needed to go because of circumstances that were beyond my control. But that doesn’t excuse the way I left or the pain it has caused you. You deserved so much more from me, and for that, I am deeply sorry.
I want you to know that my love for you is unwavering and true. Even though we are apart right now, please remember that you are always in my heart. Every moment away from you feels incomplete, and my only solace is knowing that I will return to you.
I hope that one day, you will understand why I had to leave and that you can find it in your heart to forgive me. My deepest wish is for us to be together again, and I promise with all my heart that I will come back to make you my wife. You are my everything, and I can’t wait for the day when we can be reunited and share the life we’ve always dreamed of.
Until then, please take care of yourself. I know this is a difficult time, but I hope you can find comfort in the knowledge that my love for you remains constant and that my commitment to our future is unwavering.
I miss you more than words can express. Please hold on to the memories we’ve shared and know that they are just the beginning of a beautiful life we will build together.
With all my love,
**Justin**
---
Ava’s hands trembled as she read the letter, her eyes brimming with tears. A wave of grief and confusion overwhelmed her. It felt as though the very air had been knocked out of her lungs. The joyful morning she had imagined was replaced by a void of sorrow.
In her anguish, she shouted, her voice echoing through the empty room. Her anger and heartbreak led her to grab a nearby glass and hurl it against the wall. The shards exploded, some landing dangerously close to her. She felt a sharp sting on her hand as she picked up the broken pieces, a deep cut forming as blood trickled down.
She didn’t notice the pain, consumed instead by the depth of her sadness. Tears streamed down her face as she sank to the floor, her sobs wracking her body. The food on the table, once a symbol of Justin’s love, now felt like a cruel reminder of his absence. She couldn’t bring herself to eat; the thought of touching anything he had prepared only deepened her sorrow.
The room was filled with the echo of her crying, the empty plate, and the untouched food standing as silent witnesses to her heartbreak. Ava’s world felt like it had shattered into pieces, and with each passing moment, the weight of Justin’s departure pressed down harder.
She spent the rest of the morning curled up on the couch, her eyes red and swollen, the memory of their last night together replaying endlessly in her mind. Each corner of the room seemed to whisper Justin’s name, every sound a reminder of his absence. Ava’s heart ached, and the longing for his presence was unbearable.
Amidst her tears and the scattered glass shards, Ava’s growling stomach reminded her of her hunger. Slowly, she reached for the plate, her hands shaking as she picked it up. Despite the heartache, she found herself unable to resist the food that Justin had prepared with so much care.
As she began to eat, her sadness mixed with the bittersweet taste of the breakfast. Each bite was a reminder of Justin’s presence, and the food, though ordinary, felt laden with his love. The act of eating became a way to feel closer to him, to hold onto something of the moment they had shared.
Halfway through her meal, Ava noticed something unusual beneath the plate. She pulled it aside, revealing another note tucked underneath. Her heart raced as she unfolded:
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**Dear Ava,**
I love you. Please don’t hate me for leaving like this. I wish I could be there to share this breakfast with you and to see your beautiful smile. I hope this meal brings you a bit of comfort and reminds you of how much I care. I promise I’ll come back to marry you and make you the happiest woman in the world.
With all my love,
Justin
---
Ava’s eyes filled with fresh tears as she read Justin’s heartfelt words. The note made her emotions even more complex—she was torn between the pain of his departure and the warmth of his promises. The breakfast, now touched by his final gesture, tasted of both love and loss.
She placed the note gently on the table, her heart aching with a new intensity. The food, once a symbol of his absence, now carried a bittersweet significance. As she finished eating, her thoughts swirled between the joy of their past moments and the pain of his sudden departure.
Despite the turmoil within her, Ava clung to Justin’s promise. The hope that he would return to fulfill his vow gave her a fragile sense of solace amidst the heartbreak.
That evening, Ava’s parents returned home, their faces brightening as they saw the food spread out on the dining table. Her mother, impressed by the spread, remarked, “Wow, Ava, you made all of this? It looks amazing!”
Ava forced a smile, her heart heavy with the remnants of her sadness. “Yeah, I thought I’d surprise you,” she replied, trying to sound cheerful.
Her mother’s keen eyes noticed the swelling around Ava’s eyes. Concern etched her face as she asked, “Were you crying, dear?”
Ava quickly shook her head. “No, I just couldn’t sleep properly,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. She hoped to avoid further questioning, but her mother’s gaze shifted to her injured hand.
“What happened to your hand?” her mother inquired gently.
Ava tried to sound casual. “I accidentally cut it this morning,” she lied, her voice betraying a hint of unease.
Her mother studied her for a moment, then nodded with a soft sigh. “I know something’s bothering you, and you don’t want to talk about it. But please, take care of yourself. I can’t bear to see my little princess so sad.”
The genuine concern in her mother’s voice brought tears to Ava’s eyes. She nodded, her throat tight with emotion. “I will, Mom. I promise.”
Her mother pulled her into a comforting embrace, and Ava clung to her, finding a small measure of solace in her mother’s warmth. As they sat down to eat, Ava tried to focus on the conversation and the love surrounding her, though the pangs of her heartache lingered.
Despite her attempts to mask her pain, Ava knew that she would have to confront her feelings eventually. For now, she was grateful for her parents’ presence and their unwavering support, even if she couldn’t fully share the depth of her sorrow.
YOU ARE READING
One Week To Love
Teen Fiction**One Week to Love** In a world where misunderstandings and societal judgments can alter lives irrevocably, Justin and Ava find themselves at the intersection of fate and desperation. Justin, fleeing from a wrongful accusation of sexual harassment a...
