Three Years Later

You'd tell everyone that married life was great, and you suppose some aspects really were, but you know it was just bullshit. Life was hell. He was hell. Everything was hell.

Not a day went by without some sort of argument, a fight, a dispute over the tiniest little thing.

It was the constant over-dramatized saga of 'Chase and Zoey', the PCA sweethearts who found their way back to each other, but the raging hormones you felt as a teenager truly don't carry over into adulthood, you'd figured that out.

You felt more like roommates having casual sex than lovers.

Three years into your marriage, three years what felt like too long. The spark was gone.

It didn't even take you by surprise when you saw the name "Marley" pop up on his cell phone one night when he was in the shower. They had reconnected, she moved to California. Working on a book together, just like the college days. You knew they weren't cheating, Chase wasn't that kind of guy. But something in her had rekindled a flame in Chase you hadn't seen in a long time. A flame that used to be saved for you. Those puppy dog eyes, the ones he had whenever you caught him staring at you while you worked, or when you came home for the day, they were gone. They had laid eyes on another, and while he wouldn't admit it, he had really fallen for someone else.

You saw the pain in his eyes when you asked for a divorce, but it wasn't quite what you were expecting. He sighed, he agreed, and they both began packing.

They had fallen out of love, partially both of their faults. They didn't make an effort anymore. They didn't go out on walks like they used to. No more late night movies or grape wars or just hanging out, talking. Their careers had taken off, but not in the same direction. You wanted a baby, his job, with book tours and signings and promotion, didn't exactly cater to having a baby.

"Eventually, once work settles down", he'd say, but that just wasn't the truth.

They were on different pathways, and he just can't give you happiness anymore.

You need to find happiness.

Therapy and support from friends helped, but you weren't even sure if your heart was broken, or if you needed support.

Because in all reality, Chase wasn't a new beginning. You had a new beginning with an old flame.

But flames only burn so long.

It was time for a real new beginning.

It was time to start over.

A/N:

I'm sorry it took me nearly two years to update this. And I'm sorry that this probably wasn't the ending you were anticipating. Truthfully, I originally did have Chase and Zoey living happily ever after, but due to circumstances in my own life, I couldn't write it. It didn't feel right. This little ending, while only 433 words, took over six months to write and is some of my worst work. But mentally, I'm in a terrible place right now and I'm trying to do a little writing therapy. It helps.

Anyways, I'm trying my very hardest to get back to posting once and a while. School is kicking my ass harder than ever though so we'll see. I miss it though.

-Sarah