The Day My World Shattered

Today is my twenty-second birthday. I've been looking forward to it for half a month. After three years of dating Frank River, this is the first time we're spending a full birthday together. I booked a countryside hot spring inn, the kind with a little private yard. At three in the afternoon, I got to the inn first, carrying the cake. The flowers in the yard were in full bloom, a perfect mix of pink and blue. I took a photo and sent it to Frank, captioning it: "Waiting for you, Mr. River." He replied right away: "On my way, baby. Wait for me." I smiled and put down my phone, then started decorating the room. Balloons were stuck on the walls, and streamers hung by the window. The cake was set in the center of the table, the candles already in place. The sky slowly darkened, steam drifting over the hot spring pool. I glanced at my phone—6:30. Frank River still hadn't shown up. I sent him a message, but no reply. I called, but no one answered. I felt a bit anxious but told myself he might be stuck in traffic. Seven, eight, nine o'clock. The B&B owner came over and asked if I wanted the cake warmed up; I shook my head. Finally, my phone rang—it was Frank River. "Sienna, I'm sorry." His voice was urgent, "Nona just broke up, she's crying so badly, I have to stay with her." My heart dropped. Nona, Nona Sullivan—the "good friend" Frank River always mentioned. "It's my birthday today." I tried to keep my voice steady. "I know!" His tone grew impatient. "But Nona needs me more right now. Her parents aren't around, and I'm the only close person she has." "What about me?" I couldn't help raising my voice. "Can you be more mature?" Frank River's voice turned cold. "I'll make it up with a cake tomorrow, I'll send you the money for the rental, I'm hanging up now." The call got cut off, and the busy signal was harsh and grating. I sat in the empty room as the balloons slowly deflated. Not a single candle on the cake was lit. The wind picked up outside, making the windows whistle. I don't want to stay here anymore. I grabbed my bag, didn't drive, and walked down the country road toward the city. The night wind was cold, sending goosebumps up my arms. There weren't many people around, just the occasional headlights from passing cars. I walked slowly, my mind completely blank. Three years of love couldn't hold up against his "friend's" heartbreak—on my own birthday. After walking for more than two hours, I finally caught sight of the city's neon lights. My legs ached, and blisters had started to form on the soles of my feet. I slipped into a familiar shopping street, looking for a convenience store to grab a bottle of water. And then, I saw Frank River. He stood outside a dessert shop, with Nona leaning against him. Nona's head was buried in his neck, her shoulders trembling slightly. Frank held her close, one hand gently patting her back—so tender. The streetlight's glow fell on them like a glaring painting. I stood there, cold all over. So that's what he meant by "being with her"—this kind of presence. So his "good friend" needed a hug to be comforted. Nona Sullivan looked up and saw me. A flicker of panic flashed in her eyes, but she didn't pull away from Frank River's arms. Frank followed her gaze, and his expression shifted instantly. He released Nona and walked toward me. "Sienna, let me explain." I didn't move or say a word. There was something inside me that shattered completely. "Let's break up." I said those words in an unusually calm tone. Frank River froze. "Sienna, don't be ridiculous. There's really nothing between me and Nona. She's just too upset." "I'm not being ridiculous." I looked at him, my eyes steady as stone. "Frank, this is the end for us." I turned and walked away without looking back. My phone rang again, from an unknown number. I picked up. A deep male voice said, "Ms. Donald, this is Kenneth Silva." Kenneth Silva, heir to the Silva family. My dad mentioned before that the Silva Family is interested in a marriage alliance with the Donald Family. I refused outright back then—because of Frank River. "What do you want, Mr. Silva?" My voice was hoarse. "I heard Ms. Donald is single now?" Kenneth Silva's tone was calm. "I want to talk to you about the marriage alliance." I stopped in my tracks and looked at the busy traffic by the roadside. Frank River's betrayal felt like a knife stabbing right through my trust. Maybe a marriage alliance without any feelings involved would be more stable.