The Door That Shouldn’t Have Opened, Love, and Lies
I had no intention of seeking love.
I was pleased and happy being alone until I met **Paul**. Something about him just **clicked** with me in a manner I never anticipated, whether it was his eyes or his smile. **Love at first sight** was the outcome.
Our hands brushed the table as if we had known each other for ages as we chatted for hours on our first date. We became inseparable very quickly. **Wifes, children, the full **happily-ever-after**** **Late-night calls, weekend trips, whispered dreams of a future together.**
I was happier than I had **ever** been.
Then, one day… He vanished.
Everything was typical that morning. **Good morning, love.** I texted him, but he didn’t respond.
Strange.
I waited since I assumed he was busy. When it was time for lunch, I sent another message. **”How are you today?”** Nothing has changed.
My chest constricted. I was **never** the kind to be ignored by Paul. **Did he get hurt? Feeling ill? Is there a problem at work?**
By nightfall, complete panic had taken hold. I gave him a call. No response. called once more. Directly to voicemail.
Then my phone rang at 9:47 p.m.
**Paul:** **QUIT TEXTING AND PHONEING. WE’RE DONE.
### My entire world fell apart.
**Finished?** That’s it?
My hands were shaking as I sat there looking at the television. **No justification. **No fight.** Just a dead, icy text from the man I believed to be my everlasting partner.
I gave another call. No response.
I texted. Nothing.
**This wasn’t right.** This wasn’t **Paul.**
It was more than I could handle. **I had to see him.**
### **The Door That Shouldn’t Have Opened**
I drove to his flat, my heart banging in my chest. The lights were on—he was home.
I knocked. No response. I knocked again, harder this time.
The door swung open.
And my heart **shattered into pieces.**
**She** stood there.
A woman—**wearing his shirt.** Her hair was unkempt, her lips swollen from a kiss I **wasn’t** supposed to see.
Paul came up behind her. His face turned pallid.
I had the feeling that I would get sick.
The woman frowned at me and said, “Who is it, babe?”
Sweetheart.
Paul groaned as if I were some **annoying stranger** who had broken their night, and he **ran a hand through his hair**.
**”I informed you. We’re finished.**
I was having trouble breathing.
### **To Him, I Was Nothing**
The promises, the affection, and all those months meant **nothing**.
My eyes were burning with tears, but I resisted. **Avoid his presence. Not in her presence.
I nodded, clenched my fists, and swallowed my heartache.
**”I got it.”**
After that, I turned and left the man who had just **erased me with a single text** behind.