Chapter 10 : 2018 - The End of a Dream

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Chapter 10: 2018 – The End of a Dream

Setting: Y/N and Elizabeth's Beach House

The beach house had always been a symbol of their shared dreams. Nestled by the quiet stretch of sand, it had been their sanctuary—where sunsets painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, where whispered promises of forever echoed through the air. It had been a place of warmth, laughter, and the illusion of eternal love. Now, it stood as a reminder of everything slipping away.

Y/N’s gaze locked onto the ‘For Sale’ sign that cut into the sand near the edge of the driveway. A sense of finality gripped her chest as the reality set in. Elizabeth had put the house on the market. Not out of necessity, but as a way to sever their last connection. It wasn’t about the house; it was about forcing Y/N to let go, to move on.

But Y/N wasn’t ready. Not yet. Every corner of the house held memories—the kitchen where they made Sunday breakfasts in a mess of laughter, the couch where they curled up together, and the bedroom where they whispered "I love you" beneath the soft glow of the moon. Now, all of that felt like a cruel joke, a memory taunting her as she stood on the precipice of losing it all.

Elizabeth appeared, entering the space with an air of detachment that stung. She looked different—distant, as though she had already emotionally moved out. Her movements were robotic, impersonal, almost like she was already gone from the place they had once called home.

“Are you still here?” Elizabeth’s voice broke the silence, laced with an unfeeling edge.

Y/N turned to face her, the familiar ache in her chest intensifying. “I thought we agreed… I’m staying until I figure things out.”

Elizabeth shrugged nonchalantly, crossing into the kitchen as if the conversation were a mere inconvenience. “The house is going on the market. The realtor will be here in a few days. You need to leave.”

Y/N felt the sting of her words, her chest tightening. “You’re really going to sell it? This place meant everything to us.”

Elizabeth barely spared a glance in her direction. “No. You meant everything to you. This place is just... a house.”

The coldness in Elizabeth’s voice cut deeper than Y/N had expected. It was her tactic—her way of forcing Y/N out. By stripping the house of its emotional value, she hoped to make the memories feel insignificant. But Y/N knew the truth. She knew Elizabeth wasn’t truly going to sell. This was all a power play. A way to make Y/N leave so that Elizabeth could move forward, free from the ghosts of their past.

“I’m not leaving yet,” Y/N said, her voice resolute despite the trembling beneath. “This house is mine too.”

Elizabeth exhaled sharply, the frustration in her breath palpable. She turned toward Y/N, meeting her gaze with eyes that were once filled with love, but now held nothing but bitterness. “Do whatever you want. Just don’t be here when the realtor comes tomorrow. I don’t need you complicating things.”

Y/N’s stomach churned, but she stood her ground. “You can pretend this doesn’t matter, but I know you, Elizabeth. I know how much this place meant to us.”

For the briefest moment, Elizabeth’s eyes softened, a flicker of emotion passing through. But it disappeared as quickly as it came. “You don’t know me anymore,” she said, her voice icy and dismissive. “People change.”

The words stung more than Y/N had anticipated. She had once believed they would grow old together here, that this house would hold their memories forever. But Elizabeth had already closed the door on that future.

“I thought we’d grow old here,” Y/N whispered, her voice breaking. “We talked about kids, about making this place our forever.”

Elizabeth’s eyes hardened. “Well, things change.”

Y/N wanted to scream, to demand answers. How could Elizabeth be so heartless? But the words stuck in her throat, and all she could do was stand there, crushed beneath the weight of it all.

Without another word, Elizabeth grabbed her keys, walking toward the door with the same detachment she had carried all day. “I’ll be gone for the rest of the day. Just make sure you’re not here when the realtor arrives.”

The door shut behind her, and Y/N was left standing in the emptiness of the house, the silence suffocating. She sank into the couch, her gaze drifting over the room that had once felt like a home. Now, it was just a shell—cold, hollow, a ghost of what it used to be.

Lucky, their golden retriever, padded over and laid his head on Y/N’s lap. She ran her fingers through his soft fur, finding comfort in his presence, even though she knew he, too, was slipping away. Elizabeth had insisted on keeping him, and Y/N had fought for him, but it was a losing battle. Lucky was the last thread holding Y/N to the remnants of their life together.

“I’m going to miss you, buddy,” Y/N whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of Lucky’s head. His big brown eyes met hers, full of understanding. In that moment, Y/N realized she was losing more than just a house—she was losing her entire world.

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Later that Evening, Rachel's Apartment

Rachel had insisted Y/N stay with her until she figured out her next steps. As soon as Y/N entered the apartment, Rachel wrapped her in a tight hug and handed her a glass of wine.

“How was it?” Rachel asked, already knowing the answer.

Y/N took the wine but couldn’t bring herself to speak immediately. When she finally did, her voice trembled. “She’s putting the house on the market.”

Rachel frowned. “You don’t think she’s actually going to sell it, do you?”

“No,” Y/N muttered. “She just wants me to leave.”

Rachel shook her head, disgusted. “Classic Elizabeth. Always playing these mind games.”

Y/N took a shaky breath, staring into her wine glass. “It’s not just the house… she’s taking Lucky too.”

“What?!” Rachel nearly spilled her drink in shock. “That’s messed up.”

Y/N nodded, the lump in her throat thickening. “He’s the only thing that’s kept me sane. I don’t know what I’ll do without him.”

Rachel moved closer, wrapping an arm around Y/N. “You’re going to get through this. I know it feels like everything’s falling apart, but you’re strong. You’ll come out of this even better.”

“I don’t feel strong,” Y/N whispered, her voice shaky. “I feel like I’m drowning.”

“You’re not drowning,” Rachel assured her. “And if you feel like you are, I’ll be your lifeboat. You’re not alone in this.”

Y/N managed a weak smile, her tears still falling. “Thank you.”

Rachel gave her a comforting squeeze. “Anytime. Now, let’s get drunk and forget about the world for a little while.”

Y/N laughed softly, nodding. “That sounds like a plan.”

As they clinked their glasses together, Y/N felt a tiny flicker of hope. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but with Rachel by her side, she knew she didn’t have to face it alone. Maybe—just maybe—she could rebuild her life, piece by shattered piece.

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