Five years of marriage boiled down to being nothing more than someone's stand-in.
Lily had his devotion; I was left with hollow gestures.
Gifts from Aaron were rare, usually just token anniversary offerings.
For the past four years, I'd accepted them, whether I liked them or not, convinced they were tokens of his affection.
Now, I expected nothing.
No longer eager to measure my worth through his eyes.
Nor was I interested in dissecting his relationship with Lily.
When love fades, clarity arrives.
I met Aaron's detached gaze, and said plainly, "Aaron, let's get a divorce."
"Stop with the drama, we've got a reunion and you're coming. Let's go," he scoffed.
He noted my chilled, pale face—his eyes briefly showing concern.
He didn't wait for a refusal, just pulled me into the car.
Lily offered a guilty smile, "Oops, didn't realize you were coming, Jane. Took your spot."
Aaron glanced at me in the rearview, nonchalant, "No worries, she prefers the back anyway."
I was always the one who sat in the backseat of our relationship.
In the pecking order of Aaron's affections, I was also always an afterthought.
His life, his priorities, revolved around Lily.
He told me not to mind.
So, I didn't.
Yet, Lily had stood between us like a gap for many years, unbridgeable and unfixable.
I remained silent, simply gazing out the window.
Their laughter and reminiscing filled the car.
We stopped at a restaurant, and the teasing started as soon as we walked in,
"Man, Aaron, you two are thick as thieves. Maybe ditch the wife and marry Lily?"
"Seriously, you could be a dad without the hassle!"
"Emma is too cute. If you don't step up, I might!"
...
Lily's cheeks turned pink.
"Cut it out, guys, Jane's right here," she said, linking arms with me, all smiles. "It's just a joke, we've always ribbed them like this."
Aaron intervened, half-heartedly, "Alright, enough."
Inside the private dining room, his friend Greg called out, "Aaron's late, that's three shots as a penalty."
Lily reached for a glass but Aaron tenderly took it from her, admonishing gently, "Remember your allergy."
Greg added, "Yeah, wasn't it you who ended up in the hospital trying to stop him from drinking?"
Aaron just smiled and downed the shot in one go.
He then thrust the glass towards me, his look stern, "Jane, since you're finally out, have a drink and fit in a bit."