Chapter 15
Back in Vistaville, after Brittany tearfully told Josiah how badly Priscilla had treated her, he decided to raise her spirits with a surprise.
He spent days working overtime, tying up everything at the company just so he could clear an entire month for a trip with Brittany.
When Britany heard the news, she was overjoyed and invited Jostal over for dinner at her place.
Planning to leave directly from Brittany’s home the next day, Josiah finally remembered the house he once shared with Priscilla. He went back to pack a few things and, upon walking into the living room, saw the birthday gift that still sat opened,
He finally opened it, but his face darkened when he saw what was inside. There were divorce papers and a divorce certificate. He scoffed, thinking what a wonderful birthday gift it was.
He tossed everything aside and headed to the bedroom to gather his clothes, only to discover that every trace of Priscilla was gone.
Half the wardrobe stood empty. The framed photo from the nightstand had vanished. Even the toiletries in the bathroom had disappeared.
He then thought back to when he saw her quietly packing and how casually she brushed off his questions. Seeing the divorce papers and certificate now only deepened his imitation
Really, Priscilla Collins? Just because I spent more time with Brittany, you decided to leave just like that? Was all that love you used to show me just an act? “Or were you really as take as Brittany said you were? Was your love really that shallow?” He sneered.
He didn’t know why, but despite his anger, something inside him shifted when be realized that Priscilla was truly gone and had no intention of retuming. A tightness gripped his chest, making it hard to breathe.
He kept telling himself that he had always loved Brittany and that Priscilla was just the fallback plan. Josiah repeated it over and over in his mind, forcing himself to believe it, trying to silence that unfamiliar ache,
Josiah, feeling frustrated and out of sorts, drank quite a bit during dinner. With just a little coaxing from Brittany, he ended up sinking into a night of passion with ber.
over the
As he looked at Brittany, now sound asleep and wom out beside him, he realized that there was still a hollow ache Inside him. Ever after he had finally won over woman who had once been his first love, Priscilla’s image kept flashing through his mind,
The next morning, Brittany received the tickets to Warlington and casually asked, “Josh, what made you choose Warlington as our first stop?–
Josiali stared at the ticket in his hand, unable to stop thinking about how Priscilla used to pester him, saying she wanted to travel to Warlington. He couldn’t recall a single time he’d said yes. Even after they got married, they never went on a honeymoon:
When he booked the trip with Brittany, it was almost as if something beyond his control had led him to choose Warlington.
Noticing how Josiah was staring blankly at the ticket, Brittany gently nudged his arm with her elbow. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been distracted these days, always lost in thought.”
Snapping back to the present, Jostali glanced at Brittany, whose makeup was flawless as always. He smiled faintly.
“Nothing. I was just going over our travel route in my head, making sure that I didn’t forget anything.
Although he answered her, he kept unconsciously comparing her to Priscilla,
Brittany always looked polished, and every detall about her was perfect. Priscilla, ofthe other hand, often went bare–faced. Even so, her skin had been somewhat luminous, and slie was beautiful even without makeup.
“Well, since you’re thinking about me, I’ll forgive you,” Brittany said playfully.
che a bright and breezy day, Josiah and Brittany set foot on the dreamy, mysterious land of Watlingiba.
Full si excitement for the unknown scenery ahead, Brittany moved through the mountains and waters like a free bind. She was light and carefree. Meanwhile, Josiah walked beside her dutifully, playing his part. However, his thoughts drifted again and again, like he was always elsewhere.
