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INTRODUCTION PART 1:

His Reality

Amy as cra!y. It as"#t somethi"g that $ric li%ed to thi"%& or eve" 'eel toard the

oma" he so des(erately loved& )*t she tr*ly as. +ometimes& Dere% eve" 'elt as

tho*gh this oma" as goi"g to %ill him. Not literally& o' co*rse& )*t 'ig*ratively& Amy

as goi"g to )e the death o' $ric& at least& that#s ho it 'elt to him.

$motio"ally he as drai"ed& he as too 'ar go"e to )e saved& it seemed. $arlier the

same day& $ric had (ro(osed to Amy& i" a ay that he 'elt as& i" the very least& orthy

o' a" ,$mmy Aard-. He had tried to )e as roma"tic as a 'airy tale %iss itsel'& )*t had

a((are"tly 'ailed.

Holdi"g a heart sha(ed (e"da"t i" his ha"d& $ric "o 'elt st*(id. He a"grily dema"ded

a" a"ser to the most (ierci"g *estio" he o*ld ever have to as% himsel'/

Ho co*ld he have )ee" so st*(id0

$ric had screed thi"gs *( )e'ore& )*t "ever this )adly. He as i" the dog ho*se 'or

s*re& this time. Cl*tchi"g the "ec%lace tightly& $ric )ega" to reali!e his mista%e very

clearly& as the eve"ts (layed )ac% i" his mi"d.

$ric had s*r(rised Amy ith the "ec%lace a)o*t to ho*rs earlier& a'ter s(e"di"g "early

a mo"th tryi"g to co"vi"ce her& to 'ree *( her )*sy sched*le so that they co*ld ha"g

o*t together a"d go 'or a (ic"ic.

He %"e it as a lo"gshot& as%i"g a girl li%e Amy to come alo"g 'or a (ic"ic. It as"#t

eactly hat she a"ted 'rom him/it as act*ally *ite (athetic& )*t 'or some reaso"&

she as goi"g to give him a"other cha"ce.


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He 'elt silly thi"%i"g a)o*t it "o& )*t he had somethi"g eve" more gra"d (la""ed& )*t

he had to )e care'*l "ot to overshado it& or ma%e it too o)vio*s. A (ic"ic i"vitatio"

seemed roma"tic e"o*gh& eve" tho*gh Amy deserved m*ch )etter.

$ric "o shivered& as he re(layed the mome"t i" his mi"d agai". He o*ld someho

have to 'i"d a ay to drag her to a" o)sc*re locatio"& a"d "ot leave her 'eeli"g as

tho*gh she as asti"g her time ith him agai".

He reaso"ed that re"ti"g a to (erso" )icycle as the ay to go. It as somethi"g

(ec*liarly *"i*e& yet stra"ge e"o*gh& that Amy might 2*st try it. 3*c%ily 'or him& she

did.

I" the mome"t he 'elt that he stood a cha"ce& as 'ate 'i"ally dealt him a mercy 'illed

o*tcome& a" o*tcome tho*gh& that he s*rely did"#t deserve.

As they rode alo"g a )i%i"g trail& $ric )ega" to reali!e that his method as or%i"g/

o"ly/there as o"e (ro)lem.

He co*ld"#t see her reactio"& )eca*se she sat )ehi"d him o" the )icycle.

He had "o idea i' she as tr*ly e"2oyi"g this& or i' she as a)o*t ready to get o'' the

)i%e a"d %ic% him i" the crotch 'or 2*st a"other ,disa((oi"tme"t-. He 'elt a" i"te"se

drive to (*sh 'orard& a"d (ast the do*)ts& regardless o' the idea that she might try to

(*sh him aay agai".

He %e(t remi"di"g himsel'& that somethi"g )igger as aiti"g& a"d as they got closer

a"d closer& he 'elt his heart (o*"di"g harder a"d tighter.

As he a((roached the o'' trail (athay he had co"ve"ie"tly led her toard& he made a"

ec*se that his leg as getti"g cram(ed& a"d as%ed her to sto( 'or a *ic% )rea%. Hecertai"ly did"#t 'eel li%e the smoothest o' (layers& )*t that as (ro)a)ly the )est

ec*se he had ever come *( ith& i" his li'e/a"d she as "ever goi"g to s*s(ect a

thi"g& at this rate.


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As they got o'' the )i%e& a"d stood& resti"g& Amy had )eg*" to ma%e small tal%

co"versatio"& a)o*t the to (erso" )icycle.

,Co"sideri"g the 'act that it ta%es to di''ere"t (eo(le to r*" this thi"g& I#m s*r(rised

at ho easy it is& o"ce yo* get the ha"g o' it-& she had said.

A sigh o' relie' se(t over his )ody& as he reali!ed& he had act*ally slightly i"trig*ed her&

ith his little (loy. No all he had to do as someho co"vi"ce her to ditch the )i%e&

a"d to al% do" the (athay co"ve"ie"tly located right )eside them.

,3oo%s li%e there#s *ite a 'e o''4trail (athays alo"g this road. I#ve alays a"ted to

go do" o"e o' those. 5o* %"o& to see hat it is that other (eo(le see& a"d to see

here it goes.-& he had e(lai"ed.

,5eah& I g*ess it gives yo* a more i"timate e(erie"ce. No (aved roads& or sig"s& or

(eo(le o" roller )lades& or )i%es.-& Amy had co"te"ded& ith a smir% o" her 'ace.

,Do/do yo* a"t to go do" this o"e0 May)e see here it goes0-& $ric "ervo*sly

as%ed& "o.

,Uh. 6ell& e %i"d o' have this h*ge )i%e. 6e ca"#t 2*st leave it here. +ome)ody might

steal it-& she remi"ded him.

,Come o"& e are the o"ly to (eo(le o*t here. 6e "ever do st*'' li%e this. It#s 2*st a

'e mi"*tes& here& I#ll (*ll the )i%e i"to the (ath& so that "o)ody ca" see it& a"d e#ll

2*st )e a 'e mi"*tes a"yay/-& he (ro(osed& as he )ega" (*lli"g the )i%e i"to the

trail.

,6ell4-& she had o"ly )eg*" to re(ly& he" $ric s*dde"ly gra))ed her arm& a"d (*lled

her *ic%ly& toard the secret (ath.

He co*ld"#t ta%e 7"o# 'or a" a"ser this time. He re'*sed to eve" let her THIN8 a)o*t it.

He a"ted her to see ho she 'elt 'irst& )e'ore she said a"ythi"g more. This as the


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most im(orta"t mome"t o' his li'e.

As they made their ay thro*gh the trail& a"d the (ath )ega" to "arro& Amy )ega"

e(ressi"g her rel*cta"ce to head o'' i"to a remote locatio"& )*t he had %e(t o"

reass*ri"g Amy& that everythi"g as goi"g to )e o%& a"d that he o*ld ta%e care o' her.

He remi"ded her that they alays had their cell (ho"es& 2*st i" case they "eeded a"y

hel(. 9eeli"g com'orted at the s*((ortive yet eager to"e $ric as ma"i'esti"g& Amy had

smiled& as she reached to gra) his ha"d 'irmly/.shoi"g the 'irst sig"s o' a''ectio"& i"

hat 'elt li%e ages to $ric.

It did"#t ta%e lo"g )e'ore Amy )ega" to "otice that there ere (hotogra(hs (i""ed to

the trees. $ric had ta%e" (ict*res o' their time together as a co*(le& a"d had (i""ed

them all to the s*rro*"di"g trees o" the (athay& earlier that mor"i"g.

,6hat/.hat is this0-& she c*rio*sly as%ed.

,This is *s.- He had re(lied.

,6ell& yeah I get that& )*t& hy are o*r (ict*res o" the trees0-4 he co*ld tell that she

did"#t a"t to r*i" the mome"t& )*t it as 2*st *"li%e him to do somethi"g THI+

roma"tic& a"d eve" H$ %"e that

As they al%ed& $ric had )eg*" to "arrate each (ict*re& e(lai"i"g ho he 'elt& ith

each (assi"g mome"t that had )ee" so )ea*ti'*lly ca(t*red ithi" their (hotogra(hs

together.

Poi"ti"g to o"e image& $ric )ega" to e(lai"& ,6he" e met& I tho*ght that yo* loo%ed

li%e a" a"gel. I %"o& it so*"ds cheesy& so I "ever told yo* that I tho*ght yo* loo%ed

more )ea*ti'*l tha" I co*ld have ever imagi"ed.-

,A/-& Amy as )eami"g& ith her )ody soo"i"g at the idea that THI+ ma" as

'i"ally e(ressi"g ho he 'elt. He as 'i"ally telli"g her ho he 'elt& a'ter she s(e"t

years rele"tlessly e(lai"i"g ho she had )ee" 'eeli"g so disco""ected ith $ric& a"d


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a'ter almost givi"g *(/here he as& 'i"ally o(e"i"g *( to her

,This is he" I i"trod*ced yo* to my Mom. I had act*ally )ee" telli"g my mom every

little detail a)o*t yo*& )e'ore. I %"o& yo* ere so scared to meet her& a"d yo* ere

o"deri"g hat she o*ld thi"%. 5o* a"ted to ma%e a good im(ressio". ;*t hat I

"ever told yo*& is that I as i" love ith yo*& a"d I had )ee" telli"g my Mom 2*st ho

ama!i"g yo* had )ee" ma%i"g me 'eel& almost every "ight a'ter yo*#d get o'' the (ho"e

ith me-& $ric e(lai"ed.

,Really0-& Amy as%ed< st*""ed yet agai"& that she did"#t eve" %"o a"y o' this. ,No I

*"dersta"d hy yo*r mom& gave me a )ig h*ge h*g& he" e 'irst met I 2*st tho*ght

she as tryi"g to )e s*(er "ice a"d o(e"- Amy la*ghed "o.

$ric co"ti"*ed& ,6ell& )y the time yo* had met her& yo* ere i"'amo*s already. I 2*st

did"#t a"t to 'rea% yo* o*t& or scare yo*& or a"ythi"g li%e that& so I a"ted to ait

*"til the right time to tell yo*& 2*st ho dee(ly I 'eel a)o*t yo*.-

Amy co*ld"#t hel( it& she had to as%& ,;*t yo* %"o& that I#ve )ee" as%i"g yo* to tr*st

me& a"d to (*t yo*r 'aith i" me& all this time. 6hat#s cha"ged to ma%e yo*& "o 'i"ally

a"t to do this0-

,Ho a)o*t yo* let me sho yo* some more& a"d the" I#ll let yo* as% all the *estio"s

yo* a"t& i' yo* have a"y le't& o"ce I am do"e. Deal0-& $ric (ro(osed.

,Alright/ I have to admit& I o*ld li%e to see here this is goi"g.-& Amy agreed.

,This is 'rom he" I too% yo* to that resta*ra"t yo* had )ee" )*ggi"g me to go to& a"d

I got 'ood (oiso"i"g& )*t yo* too% me to the hos(ital& a"d stayed ith me all "ight& 2*st

to ma%e s*re I as O8. 5o* eve" called my Mom& to ma%e s*re she co*ld %"o that I

as O8 too/- He (a*sed.

,I/ I "ever tha"%ed yo* 'or it& )*t I a"t to let yo* %"o "o& that I#ve "ever had

some)ody stay ith me li%e that. I#ve "ever had some)ody love me e"o*gh& to a"t

me ith the good& a"d the )ad.-& he admitted.


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,A"d this...-& he had gra))ed her ha"d& a"d (*lled her over to a"other tree& ,here& this

as the 'irst time I had %issed yo*. I %"o& e had %issed ma"y times )e'ore& )*t yo*

had alays )ee" the o"e %issi"g me. This as the 'irst time& I had reali!ed 2*st ho

)adly I a"ted yo*& ho I a"ted to hold yo*& )e ith yo*& a"d have yo*. I as too

a'raid to tell yo* ho I 'elt& )eca*se I tho*ght it#d ma%e me seem li%e less o' a ma".-.

=ra))i"g )oth o' her ha"ds this time& a"d gri((i"g them tightly& he al%ed )ac%ard&

'*rther i"to the (ath& toard a cree%& (*lli"g her alo"g each ste( o' the ay& *"til they

reached a tree tr*"%& covered i" red (a(er roses.

,6o $ric& it#s so )ea*ti'*l-& Amy eclaimed

,There#s 2*st o"e more thi"g&- $ric his(ered.

,6hat0 Really There#s more0-& Amy co*ld"#t eve" (*t her tho*ghts together a"ymore.

+o ma"y stra"ge yet o"der'*l s*r(rises had already overhelmed her mi"d a"d )ody&

co*ld she ta%e 2*st o"e more0

,5es. 5o* see that tree st*m( over there& covered i" roses0-& he descri)ed.

,5es& I sa it earlier& it#s so )ea*ti'*l $ric& ho did yo* do that0-& she eclaimed.

,6ell& each rose is made o*t o' (a(er& a"d i"side each o"e& there#s a little "ote 'or yo*&

'or each o' the days that e have )ee" o" a date. I made o"e& a'ter every date e had&

a"d hid them *"der my )ed. =o chec% them o*t. Pic% a"y o"e yo* li%e.-& he smiled.

,Really0 $ric This is cra!y. This is the most roma"tic thi"g that I have ever see" I am

2*st/ I do"#t eve" %"o hat to say/ ece(t that I love yo*& a"d I ca"#t )elieve yo*#ve

do"e all o' this& 'or me-& she as ecstatic.

Heari"g these ords& $ric str*ggled to co"tai" his elatio"& reali!i"g that everythi"g as

goi"g accordi"g to (la"/)*t it as"#t over 2*st yet. He still had"#t as%ed the )ig

*estio". 9eeli"g closer to Amy tha" ever )e'ore& he atched as she ecitedly& too% all


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give i" to him. His ha"ds moved *( toard her "ec%& li'ti"g her hair *(. He (*lled aay

to %iss her "ec%& the" moved )ac% to her li(s.

,Hold yo*r hair *( 'or me& 'or 2*st a sec/-& he i"str*cted. +he *ic%ly li'ted her hair

aay& as he moved i" close toard her& ith his ha"ds )ehi"d her "ec%& '*m)li"g ith

somethi"g. ,Ugh/-& he sighed.

,$verythi"g alright0-& she as%ed. ,5es& 2*st a sec.- he a"sered. A arm a"d ti"gly

se"satio" coasted across her s%i"& as she 'elt a eight s*dde"ly (*ll at the )ase o' her

"ec%. +he loo%ed do"& to see a (e"da"t o" her chest. +he li'ted it *(& ge"tly& to "otice

that it as a heart& a gold heart.

$ric (ro'essed& ,I dre this mysel'& a"d had it s(ecially made to match the drai"g.

There is "o other "ec%lace li%e it. It#s *"i*e& 2*st li%e yo*. I a"t yo* to have this& to

remem)er that I ill alays )e there to %ee( yo* arm& a"d sa'e& a"d loved. I a"t yo*

to %"o that he" yo* see this& that yo* are my i'e& a"d my everythi"g& that yo* are

im(orta"t to me& a"d alays ill )e. 5o* are the love o' my li'e. 5o* are my heart.-

6ith tears rolli"g do" her 'ace agai"& she had someho ma"aged to m*m)le to him:

,Are/ are yo* serio*s0-.

$ric let go o' her ha"ds& a"d *ic%ly ra((ed his arms aro*"d her& em)raci"g her

tightly. +he co*ld 'eel his )reath o" her "ec%& as he his(ered: ,I love yo*& a"d I "ever

a"t to let yo* go. I#m sorry it too% me so lo"g to say it. I %"o& I#m a" idiot& )*t I ho(e

that yo* ca" 'orgive this idiot o"e last time& as I do o"e more thi"g& to try a"d ma%e it

right.-

+o ra((ed *( i" the mome"t& Amy had )ee" *"a)le to say a"ythi"g/ she stood there

i" sile"ce a"tici(ati"g heavily& his "et move. +till ra((ed i" a" em)race& she 'elt his

ha"ds reach do" i"to the )ac% (oc%et o' her 2ea"s& she s*irmed a"d giggled& as she

ta*"ti"gly yelled ,$ric-.

Thi"%i"g he m*st )e 'eeli"g a little 'ris%y& she s*irmed aay& o"ly to 'i"d that he had

let go o' her. 3oo%i"g *( at him& i" 'ear that may)e she had r*i"ed everythi"g& she


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co*ld o"ly sta"d& i" sile"ce "o& asto*"ded at hat she as seei"g.

6ith his head t*r"ed to the side& to hide the 'act that he as cryi"g& he as i(i"g his

tears o"to his shirt sleeve& a"d holdi"g a (ict*re toard her& ith his other ha"d. It as

a" image o' her slee(i"g.

$m)arrassed she m*rm*red ,$ric/ I/ *h.. I really/ I do"#t *"dersta"d0-& reali!i"g that

he had (*lled this (ict*re 'rom her (a"ts (oc%et& a"d m*st have (laced it i" there

earlier& itho*t her eve" "otici"g.

,6he" did yo* ta%e this (ict*re o' me0 Ha ha ha& it#s so )ad-& she la*ghed& tryi"g to

lighte" the mood.

,This as the mome"t& he" I reali!ed& that I a"ted to s(e"d the rest o' my li'e ith

yo*. I 'elt so com'orta)le& lyi"g "et to yo*& I 'elt so at home& a"d so at (eace& that I

a"ted to remem)er that mome"t 'orever. I %"o yo* hate it he" I ta%e (ict*res o'

yo*& he" yo* 'eel li%e yo* might loo% li%e a mess. ;*t this "ight& yo* loo%ed li%e my

i'e. 5o* loo%ed li%e my '*t*re. 5o* loo%ed li%e everythi"g i" the oma" that I a"t to

s(e"d the rest o' my li'e ith.-& he revealed.

A"d ith that& he had )e"t do" o" o"e %"ee& t*r"i"g the (ict*re aro*"d& to reveal the

)ac% o' the (ict*re& here he had ritte": ,6ill yo* marry me& a"d ma%e me

com(lete0-.

Thi"%i"g "o& o' everythi"g that had ha((e"ed& $ric ished more tha" a"ythi"g& that

he co*ld 2*st sto( time itsel'& i" that very mome"t. He as"#t (re(ared 'or the a"ser

she as a)o*t to give him. He had"#t tho*ght o' the real reality& he" he so 'oolishly

tried somethi"g so des(erate o" a girl li%e Amy.

,Are yo* @Bi"g %iddi"g me& right "o0-& she screamed& *"a)le to co"tai" hersel'.

The more she reali!ed hat as ha((e"i"g& the more (issed o'' she had )ecome.

,Really/.R$A3350 +erio*sly0 Are yo* 'or real0-& she )ar%ed.


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,I do"#t eve". I ca"#t )elieve yo*#d have the "erve to eve" THIN8 a)o*t (*lli"g

somethi"g li%e this& a'ter everythi"g I said to yo*. I made it (retty 'ric%i"g clear& $ric.

Ho sel'ish ca" yo* )e0-& she roared& as a rai"'all o' tears s*dde"ly )ega" to e(lode

'rom her eyes.

,B 5o*-& she moa"ed& as she ri((ed the (e"da"t 'rom her "ec%& a"d ch*c%ed it

toard him& as tho*gh it ere (oiso".

A"d ith that& she had made *( her mi"d& a"d ra" o''.

Tears 'ell i"to $ric#s ha"ds "o& o"to the (e"da"t& as he tried to 'i"d some logical

reaso" to a relatio"shi( that had "o go"e so horri)ly ro"g. He loved Amy ith all o'

his heart& )*t he 2*st co*ld"#t seem to get her to liste" a"ymore.

He tho*ght that everythi"g had )ee" (er'ect. He had tried so hard to (lease her& a"d

yet there she had )ee"& throi"g her 'ists i"to his chest& screami"g at him& at the to( o'

her l*"gs& calli"g him the most sel'ish a"d ig"ora"t 2er% o" the (la"et.

,;a)e4 I4-4 those ere the o"ly ords he ma"aged to get o*t& )*t she had c*t him o''.

+he o*ld"#t eve" let him a(ologi!e& or as% hat as ro"g. +he as really goi"g to

tear his heart o*t (iece )y (iece& as"#t she0

He sighed. O' co*rse she as. 6hat else as he s*((osed to e(ect 'rom his (ri"cess0

$ve" (er'ect& as"#t (er'ect e"o*gh i" her eyes& it seemed. +he as"#t ha((y& *"less

everythi"g as dramatic.

The (ro)lem& tho*gh& as"#t that she had re2ected him& or gotte" mad. The (ro)lem

as that he as 'orced to love her& "o matter hat she did. He as i" it 'or the lo"g

ha*l "o.

No other oma" as goi"g to re(lace Amy& eve" i' she com(letely hated him& a"d eve"

i' everythi"g 'elt ho(eless& $ric %"e that he had o"ly o"e resolve: he had to ma%e it

or% ith her& "o matter hat.


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That as the o"ly ay& he co*ld ever 'eel com(lete agai". Tho*gh this h*rt& he %"e it

o*ld "ever h*rt as m*ch as 'aili"g to try agai". Amy as orth it. Amy had give" him

so ma"y cha"ces )e'ore& over the years& )*t he had 'ailed her time a"d time agai".

It as o"ly 'air 'or her to as% him 'or more& a"d to (rove himsel'. +he "eeded more tha"

ords& a"d des(erate attem(ts. He %"e that/a"d he as goi"g to (rove to her that

they ere mea"t to )e together& eve" i' that mea"t sacri'ici"g everythi"g he ever %"e&

2*st 'or a cha"ce at tr*e love.

INTRODUCTION PART E:

Her Reality

$ric as cra!y. It as"#t somethi"g that Amy li%ed to thi"%& or eve" 'eel toard the ma"

she so des(erately loved& )*t he tr*ly as. +ometimes& Amy eve" 'elt as tho*gh this

ma" as goi"g to %ill her. Not literally& o' co*rse& )*t 'ig*ratively& $ric as goi"g to )e

the death o' Amy& at least& that#s ho it 'elt to her.

+he had )ee" so emotio"ally i"vested i" this g*y& 'or > years "o& that she as"#t eve"

s*re ho she as a"ymore& or hy she as eve" still )otheri"g to 7try#. $ric had asted

her time& a"d her heart& so ma"y times over a"d over agai"& that her 'rie"ds a"d 'amily'elt that she as sim(ly del*sio"al a"d cra!y 'or eve" tryi"g to love the g*y a"ymore.

Her o" mother had )eg*" to re'er to $ric as a" ,a)*sive- a"d eve" ,toic- g*y& a"d

'rom here Amy stood& "o)ody seemed to )e a)le to see the (ote"tial that she a"d

$ric had to ma%e thi"gs or% o*t )etee" them.

It had ha((e"ed a)o*t a mo"th earlier& )*t Amy co*ld remem)er it as clear as a )eam

o' s*"light& glari"g i" her eyes. $verythi"g had )ee" 7ty(ical# i" her relatio"shi(& *( *"til

that (oi"t& at least& ty(ical 'or the %i"ds o' thi"gs $ric *sed to try to (*ll aro*"d her. ;*to" this day& somethi"g 'elt di''ere"t. +omethi"g as "ot 7right#.

+he co*ld"#t *ite (*t her 'i"ger o" it& )*t a'ter s(e"di"g the e"tire "ight 'ro!e" i" a


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(ool o' her o" tears& ith eyes "o )*r"i"g li%e a ho*se o" 'ire& a s*dde" reality

)ega" to cree( *( i" Amy#s s*)co"scio*s.

At 'irst it came li%e a his(er/ 7hy are yo* doi"g this to yo*rsel'0#& it as%ed. The o"ly

a"ser she co*ld ma"age to ri( 'rom her already tor" heart& as a" eve" more

co"'*si"g reality& 7I do"#t %"o#& she tho*ght& disco"certedly.

9eeli"g as dehydrated as a dead cact*s& Amy stood i" the %itche"& str*ggli"g to ch*g

do" a glass o' ater& as a"other *estio" *ic%ly cre(t *( 'rom the de(ths o' her

des(air. 76hy are yo* letti"g HIM do this to yo*0#.

Her gri( o" the c*( sloly loose"ed& almost *""oticea)ly& *"til its cris( crac% o" the

tile& )ro%e the dea'e"i"g sile"ce ithi" her& remi"di"g Amy that this as "o lo"ger

somethi"g she co*ld ig"ore.

A tho*sa"d tho*ghts )ega" to 'l*tter thro*gh her mi"d li%e a clo*d o' ra)id )ats i" the

"ight. The most (ierci"g tho*ghts o' all& ere the memories she had so o)vio*sly

overloo%ed )e'ore. U( *"til this (oi"t& Amy had s(e"t a great deal o' her > years& illi"g

to 'orgive& 'orget& ig"ore& loo% (ast& a"d eve" PR$T$ND 'or the sa%e o' $ric#s 'eeli"gs&

a"d the relatio"shi(.

;*t ho as she 'ooli"g "o0 +he had ta%e" a )eati"g o' > i"te"se& lo"g& a"d *tterly

emotio"ally gr*eli"g years ith this g*y& a"d it as (retty clear that he did"#t eve"

a"t to )e ith her& the ay she deserved.

I' a"ythi"g& it as "o starti"g to )ecome clear& that Amy had )ecome $ric#s door mat&

a"d she as"#t eve" his 'irst& or seco"d choice

The "ight )e'ore& Amy had a"sered her (ho"e as *s*al& ready to tal% to $ric& as% him

ho his day as& a"d ho(e'*lly& i' he as"#t tired& she might have time to emotio"ally

*"i"d i" his com'ort.

;*t $ric& )ei"g as ty(ically disa((oi"ti"g as he as& decided to dro( a"other )om)shell

o" Amy.


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He did"#t eve" aste a"y time i" e(lai"i"g to her& ho the "ight )e'ore& he as sitti"g

do" ith his mother& he" she had as%ed him ,Do yo* really see yo*rsel' s(e"di"g

the "et E? years ith Amy0 I mea"& that#s a hole li'etime.-

,Hec% No-& he had re(lied so heartlessly.

6hat made it eve" orse& as the 'act that $ric 'elt it as a good idea to share this

i"'ormatio" ith Amy. 6hat he 'orgot to reali!e& hoever& as the 'act that he had 2*st

si"gle ha"dedly cr*shed her e"tire *"iverse& ith o"e sim(le stateme"t.

/,Hec% "o-/

The ords re(layed i" Amy#s mi"d li%e 'iery daggers (ierci"g her se"ses a tho*sa"d

times over.

7Hec%/"o0#& she m*rm*red to hersel'.

7No0#& she tho*ght& as the a"ser )ega" to )ecome 'righte"i"gly clear.

7NO0 6hat does he mea"/"o0#& she o"dered as reality )ega" to crash thro*gh

every dream she had ever )*ilt *( aro*"d $ric.

+he 'o*"d hersel' lost 'or ords& as she heard $ric as% ,Amy/yo* there0 Amy0 Did yo*

ha"g *(0 Ca" yo* hear me0 I thi"% the call is c*tti"g o*t/-.

+he let the (ho"e dro( o"to the 'loor& as she *ic%ly raced toard her )ed& (a"ic

setti"g i". 6ithi" a matter o' o"ly a 'e seco"ds& she 'o*"d hersel' gas(i"g 'or air& as

she cried 'or li'e to sho her some %i"d o' mercy& o"ly to a"io*sly )e met ith the

cold"ess o' the sile"t alls s*rro*"di"g her.

Pa"ic had *ic%ly gra))ed a hold o' her li%e a crocodile h*"gry 'or his last meal. +he 'elt

the gri( o' her (ai" tighte"i"g ithi" her chest& as her tears )ega" to )*r" do" her

'ace at light"i"g s(eed. The tr*th as too hard 'or Amy to )ear. +he co*ld"#t do this.


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+he sim(ly as"#t c*t o*t to 'ace this %i"d o' (ai"& this %i"d o' loss/.this %i"d o'

re2ectio". This same ma" had s(e"t years lyi"g to her& leadi"g her o"& a"d telli"g her

everythi"g she a"ted to hear.

All o' this time& s(e"t& asted o" this ma"& o"ly 'or him to come )ac% a"d tell her that

she as some %i"d o' ,hec% "o- reality to him0

Her e"tire orld )ega" to cr*m)le right )e'ore her very eyes& as every memory )ega"

to sho its *gly 'ace to her& ith each "e revelatio" c*tti"g dee( i"to her& harder tha"

the last.

+he co*ld"#t hel( )*t si(ho" all o' the co"'*sio" right o*t o' her (ast& so that she

o*ld"#t have to ever 'eel this st*(id& this alo"e& or this heart)ro%e" ever agai". Amy

as determi"ed to s(e"d the "et eter"ity& i' that#s hat it too%& *"doi"g everythi"g

that $ric had so deceit'*lly made her )elieve i".

+he as"#t goi"g to )e that 'oolish oma" a"ymore& ho "aively )elieved i" em(ty

(romises. +he co*ld"#t a''ord to )e ta%e" 'or gra"ted a"ymore& a"d she most certai"ly

as"#t goi"g to )e his ,last resort choice- either.

Tr*th'*lly& Amy as starti"g to lose ho(e. +he had i"vested so m*ch i"to this

relatio"shi(& a"d this ma"& )*t she as 'i"di"g it hard to mai"tai" a"y ho(e i" a '*t*re

together a"ymore& eve" i' she as or%i"g as hard as she co*ld.

To add '*rther co"'*sio" to the mi& o"ly a 'e mo"ths (rior she had rece"tly 'o*"d

e(licit tets to other ome"& o" his cell (ho"e. It seemed that he as 'lirti"g ith

a"yo"e ho eve" remotely resem)led a 'emale& a"d this too& hile (romisi"g Amy 'or

? years "o& that he o*ld marry her.

Amy 'elt so st*(id& (*tti"g her 'aith a"d tr*st i" a ma" ho treated her li%e a doormat.


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He did"#t love tr*ly her& ho as she %iddi"g0 He 2*st loved himsel'& a"d i" 'act he as

the most sel'ish (erso" she had ever come across

He as 2*st *si"g her& a"d every)ody )*t Amy& seemed to )e a)le to see that. +he had

tried hard to see him as the )ad g*y )e'ore& )*t the" he#d alays 'i"d a ay to

a(ologi!e ith those (*((y dog eyes& or melt her heart agai"& ith his smooth tal%i"g

ays.

6as he ever goi"g to love her& the ay she deserved0

Reality seemed to c*t thro*gh her li%e a %"i'e& so o'te" "o& that she#d 'i"d hersel'

'eeli"g li%e a (iece o' glass )ei"g dro((ed/2*st shatteri"g i"to a millio" ti"y (ieces&

*"a)le to )e (*t )ac% together agai".

Amy co*ld have AN5 g*y& a"d yet here she as& emotio"ally str*"g& ith the )iggest

2er% ever. There as "o ay o*t& she 'elt. +he as des(erate at this (oi"t& )*t "othi"g

seemed to reach $ric.

Tryi"g to e(lai" ho she 'elt& or hat her "eeds ere& to a g*y li%e $ric as almost li%e

tryi"g to e(lai" *a"t*m (hysics to a "e)or" )a)y/

6as it *"realistic o' her to e(ect him to ,get it-0 6as she 2*st )ei"g (layed 'or a 'ool0

Ho co*ld he tell her that he "eeded her& a"ted her& a"d a"ted to )e ith her/ a"d

yet o" the same )reath ig"ore her (ho"e calls 'or a hole mo"th& a"d the" he" he

does tal%& o"ly tell her ho other ome" are i"terested i" him& a"d ho he does"#t

really %"o hat he a"ts0

+he as"#t a (lay toy. ;*t someho she had gotte" ca*ght *( i" the stri"gs o' this love

a"d relatio"shi(& a"d "o he as her (*((et master& stri"gi"g her alo"g hichever

ay he had a"ted her to go.

Amy 'elt *tterly alo"e& ho(elessly tra((ed& a"d (athetically hel(less. This as her li'e&

)*t she as"#t eve" the mai" character a"ymore. $ric as.


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+*dde"ly everythi"g as a)o*t him/.a"d he did"#t eve" seem to care ho that

a''ected Amy& or hat that mea"t 'or her. He#d go o*t& (artyi"g a"d dri"%i"g& itho*t a

care i" the orld/ a"d itho*t eve" so m*ch as a co*rtesy call to let her %"o here

he as.

$ve" more ecr*ciati"g& 'or Amy& as the 'act that she had )ee" his girl'rie"d 'or >

years& a"d yet she )arely eve" %"e ho his 'rie"ds ere& or hat they ere li%e.

At least he had ta%e" her to meet his mom& )*t he seemed to o"ly ever do the right

thi"g& he" he as 'aci"g a" immi"e"t loss. The 'irst time she had threate"ed to leave

him& he seemed to 2*m( *ic%ly to 'i the sit*atio"& ta%i"g her to meet his mother& as

some sort o' des(erate& ,see& I am serio*s a)o*t yo*- ma"e*ver.

+he 'o*"d hersel'& hoever& co"sta"tly as%i"g hy it as that she alays had to go to

etremes& 2*st to get him to do the right thi"g. I' he really loved her& hy did she alays

have to threate"& (lay mi"d games& or arg*e ith him& 2*st to get him to liste" or treat

her as she deserved0

It as all so co"'*si"g to Amy& as she )ega" to 'eel more a"d more& that it as 'i"ally

time to call everythi"g o'' ith $ric. He as shoi"g his tr*e colors to her& time a"d

time agai"& a"d altho*gh she cared dee(ly 'or this ma"& a"d had i"vested every ce"t o'her )ei"g a"d so*l i"to this relatio"shi(/he 2*st sim(ly did "ot a"t her.

6he" she tho*ght a)o*t it& he sim(ly as"#t there 'or her either& i" the relatio"shi(.

$motio"ally& he as o"ly availa)le he" it as co"ve"ie"t 'or him. Physically& he

seemed to o"ly )e (rese"t he" the mood str*c% his 'a"cy. All o' it added *( to a

'eeli"g that she sim(ly as dati"g the most sel'ish a"d *seless ma" ever.

Amy co*ld vividly recall the 'irst time she %"e that this as"#t goi"g to )e a" easy

relatio"shi(& ith $ric. It as the 'irst real arg*me"t they had ever had.

+he had "oticed that $ric o*ld devote more time& to everythi"g ece(t her. It co*ld )e

'amily& 'rie"ds& or%& a"d eve" his video games/ )*t it "ever seemed to really matter

6HAT it as& )eca*se it as really more a)o*t the 'act that $ric o*ld (rioriti!e


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everythi"g )*t Amy& i" his li'e.

It seemed that eve" doi"g la*"dry& as a orthy e"o*gh tas%& to do i" lie* o' s(e"di"g

time ith Amy. +he had )eg*" to "otice that $ric had )ecome a" ec*se trai"& ho

alays arrived o" time to each statio"& ro*ght ith ec*ses& all co"ve"ie"tly )*"dled

*( 2*st 'or her.

6hat had )othered her eve" more& as that he seemed to ma%e the most *seless

ec*ses to e(lai" aay& 7hy# it as that he sim(ly did"#t have time 'or her a"ymore.

$c*ses li%e ,I have la*"dry to do-& or ,I#m (layi"g my game& gotta go-& o*ld (ierce

thro*gh the (ho"e& a"y time she remotely tried to get close to him agai"& a"d her

(erso"al 'avorite: ,I#m tired-.

This same ma"& o*ld o"ce stay *( EF ho*rs& 2*st to tal% to her. This same ma" o*ld

o"ce dro( everythi"g& 2*st to )e aro*"d her as m*ch as he co*ld. This same ma" o"ce

'o*"d her to )e so addictive& that it as almost toic. They o*ld"#t slee(& a"d

sometimes they o*ld"#t eve" eat& 2*st stayi"g *( o" the (ho"e all day a"d "ight&

la*ghi"g& tal%i"g& a"d shari"g everythi"g.

No& s*dde"ly& Amy as )ac%ed i"to a cor"er o' *ltimate co"'*sio"& here she#d have

to co"sta"tly o"der 7as it somethi"g I said0#& 7may)e I did somethi"g0#& 7may)e he#s

mad at me 'or somethi"g/-.

No clear a"ser o*ld come tho*gh& a"d the '*rther she tried to (*sh him to 'i"d

a"sers& the more )i!arre the ec*ses )ecame.

,Oh& I 'orgot to charge my (ho"e-& he#d say& a"d the" he )ega" to tell her this: ,May)e

yo* ca" do )etter.-

This as"#t *"*s*al )ehavior 'or $ric tho*gh& he ty(ically as ro*ght ith stra"ge

ec*ses& a"d he as o"e o' the hardest g*ys to 7get to %"o# that Amy had ever come

across.

There as a time& he" Amy had act*ally ta%e" time o'' o' or%& a"d had s(e"t days


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clea"i"g her (lace& (re(ari"g 'or his arrival& a"d getti"g everythi"g ready 'or him& he"

magically& he as a "o sho. Thi"%i"g may)e he o*ld come a day later& she had

aited (atie"tly& o"ly to 'i"ally e"d *( calli"g him& as%i"g him hat he as doi"g.

,G*st atchi"g a movie/hy0-/he had res(o"ded so "o"4chala"tly. ,Uh& is there

may)e somethi"g yo* are 'orgetti"g a)o*t0-& she had hi"ted. ,Not that I %"o o'-& he

had re(lied so carelessly.

6hat came "et as certai"ly a storm o' emotio"s that had )ee" )rei"g 'rom the

dar% de(ths o' Amy#s heart& as she crac%ed o"e arg*me"t a'ter a"other& o"to $ric#s

co"scie"ce& thro*gh the (ho"e. Ho co*ld sim(ly 2*st 'orget& to meet his o"

girl'rie"d& a'ter she had (aid 'or his tic%et to come *(& eve"0

;*t this as eactly the %i"d o' gar)age that $ric o*ld (*ll& a"d Amy had tho*sa"ds o'

eam(les& it seemed o' thi"gs $ric alays ma"aged to do to her& that drove her cra!y.

6hat made it eve" orse& as that a"y time Amy (oi"ted o*t his 'las& or tried to

directly co"'ro"t him o" his h*rt'*l )ehavior& or dista"t emotio"al reality& he#d alays

'i"d ays to (*"ish her. +he co*ld recall "o& a time he" they had gotte" i"to a

massive arg*me"t& a)o*t him "ot committi"g or ta%i"g the relatio"shi( serio*sly.

Net thi"g she %"e& he had h*"g *( the call& a"d had eve" t*r"ed his (ho"e o''. Heig"ored her 'or days& he" s*dde"ly at i" the mor"i"g& she got a tet ith a (ict*re

o' a"other girl. The tet had said ,see. I already re(laced yo*.-

The tet& o' co*rse& as 'rom $ric& a"d he immediately sitched his (ho"e )ac% o''& so

that she as *"a)le to re(ly& res(o"d& or eve" as% him hat it mea"t.

He seemed to (lay mi"d games li%e that all o' the time& or at least he" he did"#t a"t

to ta%e res(o"si)ility 'or his role i" the relatio"shi(. Amy had later 'o*"d o*t that it as

2*st a (ict*re he had ta%e" 'rom =oogle& a"d eve" tho*gh it as "o)ody $ric %"e i"(erso"& it still st*"g her to thi"% a)o*t the 'act that he co*ld )e so h*rt'*l& a"d careless

toard her.


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It seemed that he too% her 'or gra"ted& a"d orse he did"#t eve" a((reciate her& here

it mattered.

The harshest eam(le Amy had o' this reality& as he" she accide"tally a"d

*"e(ectedly )ecame (reg"a"t.

The last time Amy had )ee" (reg"a"t& $ric had )ailed& leavi"g her a)sol*tely

devastated& to deal ith a (reg"a"cy a"d )rea%*( all alo"e. To ma%e matters orse&

Am had lost the )a)y o"ly a mo"th i"to the (reg"a"cy& a"d as 'orced to deal ith a

gr*eli"g& a"d heart)rea%i"g miscarriage all alo"e.

To ma%e matters orse& Amy had lost the )a)y o"ly a mo"th i"to the (reg"a"cy& a"d

as 'orced to deal ith a gr*eli"g a"d heart)rea%i"g miscarriage& all alo"e.

Co"ve"ie"tly& $ric had a((eared mo"ths later& almost i"t*itively comi"g )ac% he"

the coast as clear. A"d eve" tho*gh $ric had so sel'ishly r*" o'' right he" Amy had

"eeded hi most& she did"#t eactly hold a"y ill ill toard him.

This did"#t mea" that Amy as "ot h*rt& she as dee(ly scarred& )eca*se $ric had

made her 'eel a)a"do"ed& alo"e& a"d re2ected& hoever she also %"e that this child

as *"(la""ed& a"d she *"derstood that $ric& as sim(ly immat*re.

;*t eve" ith this reali!atio"& a"d ith *ite a )it o' a(ologi!i"g a"d )eggi"g 'rom

$ric#s e"d& Amy had decided to ta%e him )ac%.

+he did "ot ma%e or ta%e the decisio" lightly& hoever. $ric had eve" )egged& (leaded&

a"d (romised to do the right thi"g 'rom hereo" o*t. He had (ress*red her ete"sively

ith (romises to cha"ge& to )e a )etter ma"& commit (ro(erly& a"d to give more to

Amy a"d the relatio"shi(.

Tho*gh he co*ld"#t ta%e )ac% the (ast& Amy 'elt that it as at least orth it to try& a'ters(e"di"g mo"ths alo"e& st*c% ith the solit*de o' her (ai"& tor" ith a secret that she

had )ee" *"a)le to tell a"yo"e.


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+he had 'o*"d relie' i" the 'act that she co*ld "o share her (ai"& a"d that she co*ld

release the demo" i"side o' her& i" the sa'ety o' $ric#s com'ort.

The miscarriage had to )e %e(t a secret& at the time& )eca*se $ric had )ailed& a"d the

idea o' deali"g ith s*ch a shoc%i"g a"d disa((oi"ti"g )rea%*(& (l*s tryi"g to tell her

'amily that she as (reg"a"t ith her "o e4)oy'rie"d#s )a)y& o*ld have )ee" too

m*ch. Amy had 'elt com(letely closed i"& as she 'o*"d hersel' *"a)le to co"'ess to her

'amily& a"d eve" her )est& a)o*t the (reg"a"cy.

+he had 'elt eve" more shattered a"d tra*mati!ed he" she s*dde"ly s*''ered a very

i"te"se miscarriage. Ho co*ld she have told her 'amily or 'rie"ds "o0

+he 'elt tra((ed ithi" the *ltimate emotio"al (riso"& *"a)le to release a"ythi"g& that

as& *"til $ric had ret*r"ed.

Thi"gs had go"e ell 'or a hile& )*t it did"#t ta%e lo"g 'or $ric to head )ac% i"to his

ty(ical )ehaviors& ma""erisms& a"d ha)its. He had eve" )eg*" to start (oi"ti"g o*t

Amy#s (hysical 'las& telli"g her that she loo%ed 'atter& letti"g her %"o that a ri"%le

had a((eared o" her 'ace& as%i"g her to dress seier& a"d telli"g her that she as

sometimes )ori"g.

Amy tried to )e (atie"t& *"dersta"di"g& a"d hel('*l toard $ric )*t she had 'i"ally

reached her last stra& ith $ric#s ,hec% "o- (ho"e call.

Ma%i"g matters more *rge"t& as the 'act that Amy as o"ce agai" (reg"a"t. O"ly this

time& she as"#t eve" goi"g to )other telli"g him. +he had decided that it as her

res(o"si)ility& a"d her reality to deal ith solely )y hersel'& this time aro*"d.

+he as"#t goi"g to try to co"vi"ce him to stay aro*"d. +he as"#t goi"g to )eg& (lead&

al% o" egg shells& "or as she goi"g to try to cha"ge hersel' i" E di''ere"t ays 2*st

to try a"d reach him. +he as"#t goi"g to eve" try a"d reaso" ith him at all this time

aro*"d& a"d she 'or certai" as"#t goi"g to )e s*c%ed i"to his mi"d games& or

de(ressi"g re2ectio" mood si"gs. This time& she as sim(ly goi"g to get serio*s

e"o*gh 'or the )oth o' them.


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+he as goi"g to give him a" *ltimat*m& that she 'i"ally as goi"g to %ee(.

$ric had )ee" (romisi"g her marriage& a li'e together& childre"& a"d the or%s 'or

years/. ;*t 'or > years "o& he had"#t eve" remotely '*l'illed o"e o' his (romises& had

had"#t eve" come close to '*l'illi"g a"ythi"g that Amy "o sa as sim(ly $ric#s ,ish'*l

thi"%i"g-.

6ords ere "ot e"o*gh this time aro*"d. +he as (reg"a"t agai"& a"d she %"e that

she ge"*i"ely a"ted a 'amily& a"d marriage& a"d a li'e. ;*t may)e $ric as 2*st "ot

goi"g to )e that g*y. May)e he really as 2*st a aste o' time& a"d Amy as goi"g to

have to move o" to create her o" li'e& a"d ma%e her dreams come tr*e 'or hersel'/

i"stead o' sitti"g aro*"d relyi"g o" $ric to do that 'or her.

;*t& it as"#t goi"g to )e that sim(le. As m*ch as Amy a"ted to ma%e a clea" c*t& she

as still har)ori"g a child that had a" *"certai" '*t*re& a"d the least Amy co*ld do as

try 2*st o"e more time& to try a"d hel( her child have $ric as a 'ather 'ig*re i" the

'*t*re.

;*t there as a h*ge (ro)lem agai"/ $ric 2*st as"#t THAT %i"d o' a g*y. Or may)e he

as0

$ve" more stra"ge& as the 'act tha" a stro"gly eerie tho*ght %e(t cree(i"g *( i" Amy#s

mi"d. $ve" tho*gh she had decided that she as goi"g to (*sh $ric to either )e the

ma" he a"ted to )e& or to leave 'or good/ 'or some reaso" a very stra"ge& a"d a)s*rd

memory %e(t o" comi"g to the s*r'ace& that made Amy 'eel li%e she might "ot )e a)le

to.

9or the lo"gest time she did"#t *"dersta"d hat it mea"t& )*t it as the %i"d o'

tho*ght that o*ld "ot let Amy rela. +he had )ee" tryi"g to s*((ress& 'orget& a"d )*ry

this memory 'or ages "o& a"d it seemed that the more she tried to do that& the harder

it )*))led )ac% *( to the s*r'ace.

It as o"e o' the most de(ressi"g& shoc%i"g& a"d h*rt'*l thi"gs Amy had ever


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e(erie"ced& )*t the more she tried to avoid it& the more it (*lled her& a"d the more it

%e(t )eggi"g her to loo% at it.

The memory had %e(t (*"chi"g at her co"scio*s hard& 'or days "o& almost as i' it ere

tryi"g to 'orce her to loo% at it/*"til 'i"ally& Amy decided to co"sider it agai".

Altho*gh it as (ai"'*l& she alloed the memory to 'lo thro*gh a"d re(lay agai"& i"

her mi"d. At 'irst she 'elt h*rt& thi"%i"g o' the circ*msta"ce over agai".

A hirli"d o' emotio"s overtoo% her< 'irst a )*rst o' a"ger 'ired thro*gh her )ody& as

she )ega" as%i"g hersel' hy this had eve" ha((e"ed to her. +he did"#t deserve this&

she remi"ded hersel'& adama"tly.

+hame the" (o*red thro*gh her vei"s& as do*)ted )ega" to cr*sh her o" reass*ra"ce.

May)e it as her 'a*lt0 May)e she 2*st as"#t good e"o*gh0

The *"certai"ty still d*g dee( i"to her core& as it seemed "o a"ser as good e"o*gh

to e(lai" hat had ha((e"ed. 6as there a"y reaso"& that co*ld )e 'orgive"&

*"derstood& or acce(ted0

Co*ld she ever get (ast this0

This idea *ic%ly e(loded i"to a"other stro"g reali!atio"& that& NO& she 6A+ good

e"o*gh& a"d i" 'act she as the )est& a"d she deserved )etter.

;*t the" a"other (ierci"g *estio" )ro%e thro*gh/ i' I deserve )etter& ho come I

ca"#t get )etter0

A 'eeli"g o' )etrayal )ega" to cree( i"to her mi"d& as she )ega" to 'eel co"tem(t.

Ho co*ld he do this to me0 Her heart so))ed& as the memory re(layed agai"& a"d

agai" i" her mi"d& this time alloi"g her to 'i"ally grieve the eve"t.

O"ly a year (rior& a'ter )ei"g ith $ric 'or J years& she had tem(orarily moved to


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a"other city& to hel( her com(a"y set *( a"other )ra"ch. $ric& had reass*red Amy& that

he o*ld ait& a"d that he still a"ted to )e ith her. He (romised to remai" her

)oy'rie"d& a"d had said all %i"ds o' ho(e'*l thi"gs to Amy& that made her 'eel sec*re i"

her decisio" to leave 'or a short (eriod.

$ric had (romised to still tal% to her& everyday& )*t as time e"t o"& Amy "oticed that

$ric had )eg*" s(ei"g his ro)otic ec*ses agai". ,Oh& I did"#t charge my (ho"e-& he#d

say& or the same lame ec*se as )e'ore/ ,I have la*"dry to do-& o*ld echo thro*gh

the (ho"e.

+he as o"ly go"e 'or three mo"ths& )*t someho i" that time'rame& $ric had

ma"aged to )egi" dati"g a"other oma"& a"d o' co*rse& he had do"e this all itho*t

telli"g her& o' co*rse.

Not %"oi"g hat as really goi"g o"& a"d 'eeli"g $ric (*ll aay& dista"ci"g himsel'

more a"d more 'rom her everyday& Amy had )eg*" to (a"ic.

+t*(idly& she had )eg*" to *estio" hersel'& her choice to tem(orarily move& a"d

everythi"g else he" she 'o*"d that he had s*dde"ly gro" dista"t. He "o lo"ger

eagerly ret*r"ed her calls. He "o lo"ger a"sered her tet messages.

Her i"sec*rities gre& as she 'o*"d hersel' *"a)le to e(lai"& or reaso" ith his s*dde"

cha"ge i" )ehavior. He had eve" )eg*" to gro s"ar%y toard her& a"d had )eg*"

)lami"g her 'or all %i"ds o' thi"gs& seemi"gly o*t o' "ohere.

+he 'elt as i' he as )lami"g her& 'or leavi"g/ )*t it as"#t eve" a (erma"e"t thi"g. +he

had o"ly le't& a'ter tal%i"g it over ith him thoro*ghly& a"d agreei"g together& that it

o*ld )e a good career move& to hel( her com(a"y adva"ce their o*tlets.

No all o' a s*dde"& it as a )ad idea0

No"e o' it made a"y se"se. $very day she#d (*sh $ric 'or eve" 2*st a" o*"ce o'

e(la"atio"& )*t the harder she tried to (*sh him& the more he ithdre& *"til o"e day&

he )ega" to ma%e a loomi"g s*ggestio".


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,May)e yo* deserve some o"e )etter. I do"#t thi"% I ca" )e hat yo* "eed.- He had

dro((ed this stateme"t li%e a )om)shell& o*t o' "ohere. He re'*sed to e(lai" it&

either& o(ti"g to tell Amy agai" that he had to go& leavi"g her alo"e to deal ith the

co"'*si"g reality that $ric as "o (rese"ti"g.

6as it somethi"g she had do"e0

6as it )eca*se she moved0

Did she say somethi"g ro"g0

No a"ser seemed to 'ill the void that his s*dde" cha"ge i" attit*de toard her& hadcreated.

The" o*t o' "ohere& $ric le't her a tet message sayi"g ,G*st a"ted to let yo* %"o

that e are thro*gh. Do"#t try to call me. I am sorry-.

At 'irst Amy as *"certai" i' $ric as serio*s. +he called his (ho"e& )*t it as t*r"ed

o''. Over the (eriod o' the "et ee%& she had )eg*" to reali!e that he had )ee" more

tha" serio*s& as he %e(t his (ho"e t*r"ed o''& 'or the 'irst time ever& 'or a" e"tire ee%.

Tryi"g to reach his 'amily (roved e*ally di''ic*lt as ell& as she str*ggled to get eve" a

grai" o' reaso" 'or his s*dde" a)a"do"me"t yet agai". +he 'elt )eyo"d 'r*strated&

)eca*se $ric %"e that she o*ld"#t )e a)le to leave her city to come )ac% a"d see him

i" (erso" 'or at least a"other mo"th.

+he as st*c% ith "o a"sers& "o reaso"s& a"d a )ro%e" heart yet agai"& a"d this time

she co*ld"#t eve" attem(t to me"d it.

To more ee%s o' ago"i!i"g de(ressio" set i"to Amy li%e a ild'ire& *"til s*dde"ly o"eday she "oticed that she had a" email 'rom him. +he *ic%ly o(e"ed it *(& eager to 'i"d

some %i"d o' a"ser& or e(la"atio".


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I" the email he detailed ho he had secretly )eg*" dati"g a"other oma"& hile Amy

as aay. Her heart ached& a"d a "e terror o' sad"ess se(t thro*gh her vei"s& as

she reali!ed that this as more tha" a )rea%*(. He had com(letely )etrayed her.

More details revealed a" eve" more i"te"se reality& as $ric e"t o" to e(lai" ho

great he had 'elt this oma" as& ho ha((y he had 'elt aro*"d her& a"d ho addictive

it 'elt& a'ter Amy had le't him all alo"e& to go or% i" some other city.

He clari'ied that he had"#t 'elt he as doi"g a"ythi"g ro"g either& )eca*se o' the 'act

that Amy a"d him had "ot )ee" ,too serio*s- a"yay.

At this (oi"t Amy 'elt li%e leavi"g her 2o)& the city& a"d everythi"g 2*st to sho *( at his

door& to (*"ch him i" the g*t/ )*t the" she reali!ed that she still "eeded to hear the

rest. $ve" tho*gh she 'elt as i' a s(eedi"g trai" had 2*st )*lldo!ed her e"tire all o'

sec*rity do"& she had to co"ti"*e.

The email co"ti"*ed o"& to e(lai" '*rther that $ric& had 'elt so alive ith this oma"

agai"& that he did thi"gs he "ever ever tho*ght he#d do. He had ta%e" her o*t da"ci"g

o" "*mero*s occasio"s. 5et he had "ever do"e that ith Amy o"ce. I" 'act& he had

alays give" her the ec*se that he had a ,)ad )ac%-& or that he had ,headaches-.

$ve" more )i!arre& as ho $ric detailed se"di"g this oma" 'loers. Amy %"e that

$ric as"#t eactly the )est )*dgeter& ith his mo"ey. He o'te" co*ld"#t& or o*ld"#t&

ta%e care o' his 'i"a"ces (ro(erly& a"d Amy as *s*ally havi"g to "ag him& hel( him& or

drag him o*t o' o"e 'i"a"cial crisis a'ter a"other& )eca*se he o'te" e"ded *( asti"g

his mo"ey o" *seless thi"gs& or got i"to de)t.

;*t here& he had someho ma"aged to save some mo"ey& a"d the" have some le't

over 'or this "e oma"& to )*y her 'loers& some 2eelry& a"d more. $ach "e detail&

as Amy read o"& )ecame more shoc%i"g& tha" the last& as he revealed all %i"ds o' vivid

details that she co*ld"#t have ever imagi"ed had )ee" ha((e"i"g hile she as aay&

i" her ildest o' dreams.

6hat as eve" more )i!arre& as that )y the e"d o' the email& he had made it clear


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that this other oma" had DUMP$D him& a"d "o he as heart)ro%e"& a"d a"ted

Amy )ac%. +omeho this a''air had ta*ght $ric to *"dersta"d or reali!e that Amy as a

val*a)le (erso" i" his li'e& )*t the o"ly (ro)lem "o& as that he as clearly sayi"g&

she as "*m)er to i" his li'e.

I' he co*ld have his ay& he o*ld ta%e the other oma"& over Amy. ;*t this other

oma" had d*m(ed his sorry ass& a"d had %ic%ed him to the c*r). Amy 'elt st*(id "ot

havi"g e"o*gh se"se to do that ages ago& )*t "o she as cr*shed i" the middle o' a"

i"te"se a"d lo"g relatio"shi( ith the g*y& regardless o' ho she 'elt "o/ she had

already i"vested so m*ch& there as "o easy ay o*t "o.

;y the time Amy had 'i"ished $ric#s "ovel o' a" email& she sat& 'la))ergasted& *"certai"

a"ymore ho to res(o"d. +he had a"ted to get a"gry. ;*t she co*ld o"ly stare at the

scree" i" *tter dis)elie'. +he had a"ted to cry& )*t her eyes 'elt drier tha" ever.

I' she co*ld have screamed she o*ld have too& )*t "o so*"d came o*t.

A stra"ge %i"d o' "*m)"ess (ossessed her )ody& as i' she died& a"d had )ee" thro"

i"to a cold& sile"t co''i".

$very )ei"g o' her so*l o*ld have "ormally a"ted to ta%e all o' this aggressio" o*t

o" $ric& )*t eve" tho*gh she had 2*st )ee" dealt the most tragic& tra*mati!i"g& a"d

shoc%i"g )lo ever/ she oddly& 'elt "o aggressio" toard him.

As m*ch as she a"ted to hate him& a"d )ash his *"iverse i"to a millio" ti"y cr*shed

(ieces& 'or some reaso" she co*ld"#t ig"ore o"e h*ge 'a*lt that might have act*ally

)ee" her o"& i" all o' this.

O"e achi"g tho*ght %e(t cree(i"g )ac% *( i"to Amy#s mi"d& as she )ega" )lami"g

hersel' 'or everythi"g. 6hy o*ld he give this other oma" the moo" a"d the stars&

a"d yet the )est that Amy had ever gotte" 'rom him as the ec*se ro)ot& versio" E..

6hy o*ld $ric )*y her 'loers& ta%e her da"ci"g& roma"ce her/ a"d yet the most

roma"tic thi"g $ric had ever do"e 'or Amy& as ta%e her to McDo"alds. This as the


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o"ly resta*ra"t he had ever ta%e" her to.

At the time Amy had acce(ted this& a"d she %"e that it had so*"ded odd& eve" he"

she tried e(lai"i"g it to her girl'rie"ds& )*t she had alays acce(ted a"d *"derstood

that a relatio"shi( ith $ric had "ever mea"t a ,glamoro*s a"d rich- li'estyle.

;*t this email as telli"g Amy a di''ere"t story. The mi"*te she le't& he as s*dde"ly a

cha"ged ma"& doi"g all o' the right thi"gs& save 'or havi"g a" a''air& ith this other

oma". He as savi"g his mo"ey& he as )*dgeti"g& he as roma"ci"g/ everythi"g

as 'i"ally right.

The o"ly (ro)lem as that he did this ith a"other oma"& )*t o*ld "ever do that

ith Amy& eve" a'ter stri"gi"g her alo"g 'or years& telli"g her that he a"ted to marry

her& )e ith her& a"d have childre" together.

This idea had cr*shed Amy so i"te"sely that the o"ly thi"g she co*ld do as )*ry it& i"

the dee(est& dar%est de(ths o' her o" des(air. It had le't her so emotio"ally disa)led&

that she had "o choice at the time.

$verythi"g had )ee" so shoc%i"g& so *")elieva)ly damagi"g& a"d so irre(ara)ly

tra*mati!i"g& that the o"ly thi"g le't 'or her to do& to try a"d move o"& as to avoid the

s*)2ect a'ter that.

$ric& had ta%e" this as Amy 'orgivi"g him& at the time& )*t she had"#t eactly 'orgive"

him. +he sim(ly had lac%ed the ca(acity to 'ace the tr*th.

;*t "o as the memory )*r"ed thro*gh her co"scio*s& teari"g thro*gh her )ei"g ith

all its 'orce yet agai"& Amy as 'i"ally ready to let the sic%e"i"g tr*th settle i".

$ric o*ld do that 'or other ome"& )*t 2*st "ot Amy.

9i"ally her emotio"al volca"o ithi" her as a)o*t to er*(t& as this reality had )ee"

)oili"g ithi" her& 'or ages "o.


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6hose 'a*lt as this0

It o*ld )e easy to )lame $ric 'or it all& a"d she %"e that he as de'i"itely ro"g 'or

stri"gi"g Amy alo"g& hile tryi"g to co*rt& charm& a"d i" over a"other oma".

5et& a (ressi"g reali!atio" as gri((i"g Amy so (oer'*lly& that eve" the 'act that $ric

as ro"g& as "ot e"o*gh to e(lai" the R$A3 (ro)lem.

6as the (ro)lem sim(ly the 'act that $ric as a cold& a"d heartless )astard0

6as that it0 $ric as 2*st a com(lete 2er%& do"e deal0

As m*ch as she a"ted to see $ric this ay& 'or the sa%e o' her o" me"tal sa"ity& the

more she tried to (eg him as the *ltimate 2er%& ho ro"ged her i" all ays (ossi)le&

the more she 'o*"d hersel' *"a)le to.

There as 2*st o"e (ressi"g thi"g that %e(t )*))li"g )ac% *( to the s*r'ace& that

(reve"ted her 'rom (laci"g all o' the )lame o" him.

6as it her 'a*lt0

This *estio" alays seemed to (ierce thro*gh her desire to sim(ly 'a*lt $ric 'or

everythi"g that ever e"t ro"g i" their relatio"shi(.

The mi"*te she had read the email 'rom him the 'irst time& g*ilt had )ega" to settle i"&

as she had )eg*" to 'eel as i' she had do"e somethi"g ro"g to ca*se $ric to 'eel as i'

he co*ld"#t )e that %i"d o' a roma"tic& cari"g& tho*ght'*l& or co"siderate g*y aro*"d

her.

He clearly had the ca(acity to )ecome that g*y& he" *"der the right circ*msta"ces.

6as his relatio"shi( ith Amy& sim(ly the 6RON= circ*msta"ces0

+he %"e that she#d have to thro her (ride o*t the i"do& i' she a"ted to get a"y


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real a"sers& so she (*t her ego aside a"d )ega" to sallo each a"d every detail 'rom

$ric#s old email all over agai".

Hoever& this time& she as"#t loo%i"g 'or the same e(la"atio"& )*t she as act*ally

loo%i"g 'or a com(letely di''ere"t e(la"atio". As ridic*lo*s as it so*"ded& she reali!ed

that ithi" this cry(tic email& there as a sol*tio" to almost all o' her e"tire

relatio"shi( (ro)lems& ith $ric.

+he as 'i"ally starti"g to see clarity i" everythi"g that had )ee" so *"clear )e'ore.

$ric o*ld give the starts& moo"& a"d $arth to this other oma".

This tho*ght re(eated i" her mi"d as she read thro*gh the details o' the email agai".

Ho he met this other oma". Details a"d lists o' thi"gs he had go"e o*t o' his ay to

do. $(licit details o' ho he had 'elt a)o*t this oma"& i"cl*di"g a (assio"ate

detaili"g o' 2*st ho )rillia"t he 'elt this other oma" as.

The" a" e(la"atio" o' his cr*shi"g disa((oi"tme"t& as this oma" had s*dde"ly

t*r"ed cold& a"d had re)*''ed his a''ectio"s.

The"& a" admitta"ce that he a"ted Amy )ac%& )eca*se this other oma" had coldly

d*m(ed him.

Normally all o' these details o*ld have )ee" e"o*gh to drive a (erso" to mad"ess a"d

)eyo"d& )*t Amy sat "o& 'eeli"g calm as ever. No"e o' these details )othered her "o&

ece(t 'or o"e remai"i"g thi"g:

$ric o*ld go o*t o' his ay to roma"ce a"other oma"& as lo"g as he 'elt that the

circ*msta"ces ere right.

That#s he" it hit Amy& harder tha" a"ythi"g had ever hit her i" her li'e. This reali!atio"

came i" li%e a" asteroid i" the "ight& lighti"g *( the e"tire s%y& )rea%i"g thro*gh every

)ei"g o' eiste"ce.


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$ric co*ld"#t )e THAT g*y aro*"d Amy& )eca*se she had )ee" ma%i"g it im(ossi)le 'or

him to do that.

+he as alays )a)yi"g him. +he o*ld ta%e him )y the ha"d& a"d do everythi"g 'or

him. I' a"ythi"g& he co*ld"#t love her& (ro(erly& )eca*se she as more li%e a mother to

him& tha" a girl'rie"d.

+*re he a"ted to s(e"d his li'e ith her& s*re he 'o*"d com'ort i" her. +*re she as

=OOD at thi"gs& )*t she as"#t the ;$+T at thi"gs.

This other oma" had clearly come i"& a"d had o*tdo"e Amy i" all o' the thi"gs that

mattered. It did"#t matter the ay or reaso" $ric had come i"to co"tact ith this other

oma"& )*t hat mattered as the 'act that he did& )eca*se it revealed the most mi"d

)loi"g 'act to Amy.

$ric had the ca(acity to do the right thi"g& say the right thi"g& )e the right g*y/. as lo"g

as he 'elt that he COU3D.

+*re& he co*ld have A36A5+ do"e the right thi"g& i' he really a"ted to. ;*t it as"#t

that sim(le. Amy reali!ed that she as o'te" a" i"te"se (erso" to )e aro*"d. +he did

reali!e that she as the "ag *ee"& a"d her e(ectatio"s ere o'te" *"realistic at )est.

+he had )ee" e(ecti"g $ric to )e her orld. +he a"ted $ric to ste( *( to the (late&

a"d )e everythi"g& a"d do everythi"g 'or her/

+he a"ted her ha((ily ever a'ter& )*t itho*t ever havi"g to or% 'or it. +he a"ted

him to come i" a"d soo( her o'' her 'eet& 'or "o other reaso"& ece(t that he#d

massively love her& a"d o*ld love everythi"g a)o*t her too.

;*t this as the real orld.

Ha((ily ever a'ter#s& had to )e made. They had to )e or%ed at.

6ith this (oer'*l reali!atio" live i" her mi"d& she )ega" to ri( a(art $ric#s email all


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over agai"& this time loo%i"g to (i" (oi"t a"d 'ig*re o*t& eactly hat it as that this

oma" as doi"g& that activated $ric#s love ce"ter.

+he de'i"itely %"e that there ere details that she as missi"g. The a"sers ere

already there& a"d $ric had give" her the e"tire i"do to see everythi"g& she o"ly had

to 'i"d them "o.

As she (ic%ed thro*gh the email agai"& a"d agai"& a"d the" agai"& each time& ith

somethi"g "e 2*m(i"g o*t a"d hitti"g her o" the head& ith o"e massive reali!atio"

a'ter a"other.

This oma"& had )ee" doi"g some very strategic thi"gs aro*"d $ric& to )asically get

everythi"g she had a"ted 'rom him. +he had o"ly )ee" aro*"d him 'or a mo"th& a"d

yet she had com(letely cha"ged this ma"& itho*t eve" %"oi"g it& i"to a com(letely

(er'ect lover.

Amy )ega" to ta%e "otes& as o"e detail a'ter a"other emerged& a"d eve"t*ally

everythi"g added *(. It as all sim(ly clear "o& a"d all o' the dots ere co""ected.

Altho*gh Amy co*ld have easily give" *( o" him& she still had o"e im(orta"t reaso" to

try o"ce more.

The 'act that she as o"ce agai" (reg"a"t& mea"t that she really had "o choice. It as

do or die& this time aro*"d. $ither she as goi"g to do hat it too% to hel( him )e the

ma" he as s*((osed to )e& or she co*ld co"ti"*e doi"g hat she had alays do"e&

o"ly to get the same cra((y res*lts over a"d over agai".

6hat had i"itial )eg*" as a ,last ditch- e''ort to try o"e more time& as "o a

strategically (la""ed o*t '*t*re& a"d Amy %"e that either ay& she#d 'i"ally have a

clear a"ser )y the e"d o' it. +he %"e that she#d "o lo"ger have to deal ith *"certai"

realities& or ec*ses 'rom $ric.

6ith this method& she co*ld get a very clear a"ser& o"e that he o*ld "ever )e a)le

to aver o"& or ever say 'rom. This time aro*"d& she had the (oer to ma%e him

choose a" o*tcome that "o lo"ger i"volved draggi"g thi"gs o*t 'or years& asti"g her


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time& leavi"g her 'or other ome"& or tho*sa"ds *(o" tho*sa"ds o' ec*ses.

+he resolved that i' there as a"y gear she had to )e i"& it as her ,all the ay- gear&

a"d she %"e this time aro*"d that she co*ld"#t do a"ythi"g li%e she o*ld "ormally

do it. This time aro*"d she had to do everythi"g di''ere"tly& )*t ith o"e h*ge

di''ere"ce: she %"e hat to do "o.

+he )ega" immediately a((lyi"g everythi"g she %"e& covertly& choosi"g isely& to start

ith o"e thi"g at a time& scali"g it *( 'rom there very *ic%ly.

The 'irst thi"g she did& shoc%ed $ric i"to calli"g her li%e cra!y& 'or a" e"tire ee%. Amy

had 'elt a" i"te"se (ress*re to give i"& a"d let him have his ay& )*t she %"e that she

had to ta%e thi"gs eve" '*rther.

+he a((lied a"other method& hich ca*sed him to start se"di"g her i"te"se emails& a"d

eve" cards ith ha"d ritte" letters i" them& e(lai"i"g ho sorry he as& a"d

detaili"g his eact (la"s to cha"ge.

;*t this as"#t good e"o*gh 'or Amy. +he "eeded more. $ric %"e that she might

)*c%le *"der the (ress*re o' his ver)al (romises& )*t this time he "eeded to ma%e s*re

that he too% her serio*sly& a"d that he 'i"ally co"verted over i"to the ma" he deserved

to )e& )*t moreover i"to the ma" Amy "eeded "o.

As time (assed o"& she %e(t o" scali"g *( the tactics a"d methods she a((lied to him&

each time care'*lly mo"itori"g the res*lts& so she co*ld tea% her res(o"ses each time

to get a" eve" )etter res(o"se 'rom $ric.

I" 2*st a s(a" o' to ee%s& she had com(letely tra"s'ormed $ric 'rom a" ec*se trai"4

rec%& i"to a" actio" ma". No i' he s(o%e to her& it as o"ly a)o*t hat as )ei"g

do"e a"d ho. 6ith "o more ,"o#s- echoi"g thro*gh the (ho"e& a"d "o more reaso"s

as to hy he co*ld"#t do somethi"g& $ric#s creativity as shi"i"g thro*gh.

He as "o )ecomi"g the %i"d o' ma" that Amy had alays dreamed o' havi"g aro*"d&

)*t eve" more shoc%i"g& as he as s*r(risi"g her& a"d (rovi"g to her that there as


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more to him& tha" eve" she %"e (ossi)le. He as a com(letely "e (erso" almost&

a"d hat as eve" )etter& as that every day he )ega" to THAN8 Amy 'or the (rogress&

a"d he )ega" to sho a((reciatio" 'or all %i"ds o' thi"gs& 'rom the everyday little

thi"gs& to the )igger thi"gs.

9or the 'irst time ever& Amy )ega" to 'eel a((reciated& a"d she almost gave i" agai"& at

the seet"ess o' it all& )*t %"oi"g that givi"g *( "o mea"t that $ric co*ld 'all )ac%

i"to his old ha)its& Amy (ersisted.

6ith her (ersiste"ce& a"other cha"ge a((eared. $ric as "o he as 'illed ith more

ideas tha" ever )e'ore& a"d had tho*sa"ds o' s*ggestio"s 'or her& o" hat to do& i" his

li'e& i" the relatio"shi(& a"d he had )ecome e"tici"gly roma"tic.

It too% every 'i)er o' Amy#s )ei"g to "ot give i"to him& es(ecially he" he as tryi"g

this hard& )*t it as im(orta"t that the cha"ges stic% this time. +he co*ld"#t have him

do*)ti"g the relatio"shi(& his choice i" havi"g her as his oma"& or a"ythi"g else i" the

'*t*re.

+he "eeded him& to 'i"ally 'ig*re o*t& a"d %"o 'or himsel' this time aro*"d& that he is

i" 'act ha((y& that this is hat he a"ted& a"d that thro*gh Amy& he ill have every

desire& ish& a"d "eed '*l'illed.

It had o"ly )ee" a mo"th si"ce Amy had )eg*" im(leme"ti"g everythi"g she had

lear"ed& a"d as time (assed& she )ega" to come *( ith her o" tactics a"d challe"ges

'or $ric to '*l'ill. ;*t& i" that time'rame& $ric as "o atte"tive to her "eeds& he

liste"ed& a"d he (rioriti!ed Amy a)ove everythi"g else 'or o"ce.

+he 'o*"d him com(lime"ti"g her i" ays that ere more ge"*i"e tha" ever. No lo"ger

as he sim(ly sayi"g hat she a"ted to hear. No he as )ei"g real ith her& "o he

as e(ressi"g thi"gs he had "ever really e(ressed )e'ore. He as )ei"g 1 ho"est

'or o"ce& a"d "ot eve" )r*tally ho"est& )*t sim(ly the %i"d o' ho"esty that 'i"ally gave

Amy the 'eed)ac% she had alays 'elt so des(erate to get o*t o' him.

No he as illi"g to o(e" *( to her& a"d let her %"o hat his tr*e i"sec*rities a"d


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'ears ere. +he )ega" to 'i"ally *"dersta"d hat had )ee" holdi"g $ric )ac% )e'ore.

No he as co"'idi"g i" her& a"d more im(orta"tly& he as "o )egi""i"g to tr*st her.

+he had"#t reali!ed it )e'ore& )*t he clearly did "ot tr*st her& a"d he act*ally co"'essed

that he as a'raid o' Amy. Her reactio"s had made him a'raid to o(e" *(& a'raid to )e

real& a'raid to let her i".

$ve" more stra"ge& as the reali!atio" Amy had& that eve" tho*gh the circ*msta"ces

*(o" hich she lear"ed ho to 'i"ally R$ACH $ric ere i"te"se a"d (ai"'*l& she

reali!ed that it co*ld"#t have )ee" a"y other ay.

He had h*rt her (retty )ad& )*t it revealed so m*ch to her& it had give" her the %ey to

o(e" the door 'i"ally. Had $ric "ever do"e that& Amy o*ld have still )ee" str*ggli"g to

reach him& she o*ld have still )ee" "aggi"g him& arg*i"g& a"d getti"g mad over

everythi"g& 2*st tryi"g to get him to 'i"ally address at least o"e thi"g that as goi"g

ro"g.

;*t it as "ever 2*st o"e thi"g& Amy reali!ed. It as $K$R5THIN= that as alays goi"g

ro"g& a"d that#s )eca*se she had "ever *"derstood ho to reach him. I" the (ast she

o*ld (ress*re him& to try a"d 'orce him to say or do the right thi"g& that she 'elt

e"titled to& or that she 'elt she deserved i" the mome"t.

+he "o %"e that this made him (*ll aay& )eca*se as a ma"& he sa thi"gs

di''ere"tly& 'elt thi"gs di''ere"tly& a"d e(erie"ced thi"gs di''ere"tly. +he had made the

mista%e o' ass*mi"g that the ay she a"ted to )e loved& as the same ay he

a"ted to )e loved. +he "o %"e di''ere"tly.

I" 'act& she %"e so m*ch "o& )eca*se $ric as clearly comm*"icati"g his "eeds& 'or

the 'irst time& si"ce they had met& a"d hat made this eve" more a)s*rd& as the 'act

that they had )ee" dati"g 'or > years

+he had "o idea all o' the thi"gs that ere goi"g o" i"side o' $ric. +he had "o idea that

he had (erso"al challe"ges& 'ears& i"sec*rities that ere com(letely o*tside o' her. +he

had alays )lamed hersel' or 'elt as i' she as ca*si"g his ithdraals. +*dde"ly he 'elt


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com'orta)le reveali"g that it as"#t alays her& a"d he )ega" to almost vomit o*t all o'

his secrets. It as as i' he co*ld"#t get everythi"g o*t 'ast e"o*gh.

He had )ee" holdi"g everythi"g i" 'or so lo"g& that everythi"g came )*rsti"g thro*gh

at o"ce. It as so i"te"se& that they had eve" stayed *( all "ight together& cryi"g over it

all& liste"i"g to each other& a"d the" they la*ghed& a"d 2o%ed.

It as as i' the relatio"shi( had re"eed itsel'. +he 'i"ally 'elt hersel' heali"g& a"d $ric

eve" admitted that he as 'eeli"g more sec*re 'i"ally& a)o*t himsel'& a"d his '*t*re. He

did"#t 'eel the "eed to h*rt her a"ymore& he admitted.

This revelatio" had shoc%ed Amy& )eca*se she had "o idea that her )ehavior as

(*shi"g him to 'eel li%e he "eeded to react& )*t the" he e(lai"ed& that he" she#d

attac% him& his de'e"ses o*ld get *(. To ma%e himsel' 'eel )etter& he#d o'te" go o*t

a"d do rec%less thi"gs.

This as hy he str*ggled so hard to save mo"ey& to )e loyal& to commit/ )eca*se a"y

time he tried& Amy o*ld )e (*shi"g him aay ith a"other e(ectatio"& or a"other

dema"d& or she#d tell him that hat he as doi"g as "ever e"o*gh.

$ric#s e(ressio" o' this made Amy 'i"ally *"dersta"d& that she had res(o"si)ilities i"

the relatio"shi( too& a"d she %"e "o ho to ma%e thi"gs or%.

9i"ally i" a (lace o' com'ort& there ere a 'e hard thi"gs le't that she as goi"g to

have to do& i' she a"ted to ma%e all o' the cha"ges (erma"e"t. It as goi"g to ca2ole

$ric harder tha" he had ever )ee" tested& (*shed& or challe"ged )e'ore& )*t Amy %"e

that this as the 'i"al %ic% "eeded to e"s*re that everythi"g she a"d $ric had or%ed

so hard at tryi"g to 'i i" the (ast 'e mo"ths& as goi"g to 'i"ally )e (erma"e"t.

$ric as 'i"ally tal%i"g a)o*t a (ro(er '*t*re together& a realistic o"e& o"e that act*ally

had a (la"& ith dates& a"d deadli"es& a '*t*re that really as comi"g tr*e.

;*t she "o had to test him& a"d (art o' that mea"t )ei"g 'air to him. This as"#t goi"g

to )e easy 'or him either a"ymore& a"d she %"e that he 'i"ally *"derstood that& a"d


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had acce(ted that& )*t "o she "eeded him to (rove that he co*ld (*t those i"te"tio"s

i"to actio".

+o& she decided& a'ter a lo"g time o' aiti"g& a"d a'ter holdi"g o'' i"timacy ith him& to

reveal that o"ce agai" she as (reg"a"t. This time she as "ot goi"g to s*gar coat it.

+he as"#t goi"g to o''er him a ay o*t either& i" 'act she as"#t goi"g to tell him hat

to do& "or as she goi"g to ,o''er- him a sol*tio".

+he as goi"g to let him or% 'or a sol*tio"& that he a"ted& a"d she as"#t goi"g to

,ho(e- 'or him to do the right thi"g this time either. +he decided to agree to meet him

'i"ally& a'ter restricti"g his a)ility to have access to her.

$ric had )ee" as%i"g her 'or ee%s "o& to agree to meet. ;*t he as"#t 2*st as%i"g to

meet& a"d Amy %"e that. He as as%i"g to ta%e her o*t o" a date& )*t Amy had

(*shed him to ste( thi"gs *( a "otch& a"d had re'*sed to go ith his 'irst& seco"d& or

eve" third choice.

9i"ally he had come *( ith somethi"g that Amy tho*ght as *ite )rillia"t. He had

as%ed her to go o" a to (erso" )i%e ride. They had "ever go"e o*t together& 2*st the

to o' them& itho*t havi"g to do a"ythi"g& ece(t s(e"d time together& as a co*(le.

This o*ld )e the 'irst time they ever e"t somehere& ith the i"te"tio" o' sim(ly

s(e"di"g time o" each other.

Previo*sly& i' $ric had ta%e" her o*t& it as to eat& may)e at a 'ast 'ood resta*ra"t.

There as "ever a"y time the"& to sit a"d 2*st tal%& a"d e"2oy each other#s com(a"y.

Other times he did at least ta%e her to see a movie& )*t the o"ly (ro)lem as& that they

ere alays co"ce"trati"g o" the movie.

$ric had eve" o"e time& )r*shed her o'' i" the movie theater& he" she tried to c*ddle&

sayi"g ,Do"#t do that& I am act*ally (ayi"g atte"tio" to this (art.-

;*t "o& he had ste((ed *( to the (late& 'i"ally o''eri"g her a cha"ce to act*ally sit

do" ith him& a"d s(e"d time& 2*st the to o' them alo"e& o"ly o" each other. Amy


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had 'elt ecstatic& yet "ervo*s& )eca*se she still had to test him& a"d reveal somethi"g

im(orta"t to him.

+he co*ld o"ly do it i" (erso".

6he" she met i" (erso"& she as care'*l "ot to get too close to $ric. +he did"#t a"t to

lead him o" or give him 'alse ho(e too soo" either& that o*ld have r*i"ed everythi"g.

+he %e(t her dista"ce& a"d made s*re that the co"versatio" stayed light.

;*t the" the *"e(ected ha((e"ed.

$ric had ta%e" her do" a (athay& o" the to (erso" )icycle& he" s*dde"ly he

com(lai"ed o' havi"g leg cram(s. +he sto((ed& he" $ric )ega" to (oi"t o*t a" o'' trail

(athay )eside them. He reaso"ed that he had alays a"ted to go do" them.

The "et thi"g Amy %"e& he as (*lli"g her do" the (athay& here hat she sa

"et shoc%ed her. He had st*c% (ict*res o' them together all over the trees.

He had the" )eg*" to e(lai" all %i"ds o' thi"gs he had "ever revealed to her )e'ore.

$ve" tho*gh she had 'elt he as )ei"g etremely o(e" )e'ore& si"ce he had )eg*"

cha"gi"g& his "e revelatio"s com(letely )le everythi"g else o*t o' the ater.

No he as e(lai"i"g to her ho he had 'elt years ago& 'rom he" they 'irst met& to

that time he got 'ood (oiso"i"g a"d she too% care o' him i" the hos(ital. There ere so

ma"y thi"gs she did"#t %"o a)o*t him.

+he s(e"t ho*rs e"g*l'ed i" his every ord. All o' this as so *"e(ected. $ve" more

shoc%i"g& as that he had sta(led (a(er roses to a tree st*m(& a"d he" he as%ed her

to ta%e a loo% at them& there ere "otes i"side each o"e& hich he had ritte" to her&

'or every time they had )ee" o" a date.

$cstatic& she had o(e"ed every o"e o' them& gl*ed to every ord a((eari"g )e'ore her

eyes. $verythi"g as so i"te"se& a"d so )ea*ti'*lly do"e& that she co*ld"#t hel( )*t cry&

la*gh& a"d 'eel a rollercoaster o' emotio"s.


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$ric had "ever do"e a"ythi"g this roma"tic ever )e'ore. He had clearly (la""ed this o*t

very care'*lly& this time aro*"d& a"d all 'or her. He 'i"ally =OT it. He 'i"ally& *"derstood

hat he had to do& to ta%e care o' her.

6ra((ed *( i" the mome"t& Amy had com(letely 'orgotte" to tell $ric a)o*t the

(reg"a"cy. He gave her "o time to eve" s(ea%& a"d had act*ally told her to ait to say

a"ythi"g *"til a'ter he had 'i"ished.

;*t "o she as st*c% i" a h*ge dilemma. +ho*ld she r*i" the mome"t ith her

)om)shell o' a revelatio"0

Or sho*ld she 2*st leave it 'or a"other day0

;e'ore she co*ld eve" react& $ric thre a"other emotio"al love act her ay. The "et

thi"g she %"e& he as (*tti"g a )ea*ti'*l gold "ec%lace aro*"d her "ec%. He )ega"

e(lai"i"g ho he had act*ally dra" the desig" himsel'& a"d had it s(ecially made& so

that there o*ld )e "o other "ec%lace li%e it.

Amy a"ted so des(erately to 2*st give i"& a"d let everythi"g ha((e". ;*t g*ilt rose

over here li%e a (lag*e risi"g *( 'rom dee( ithi"& as the loomi"g tho*ght stayed 'resh

i" her mi"d& that she still had to test him& a"d tell him a)o*t the (reg"a"cy.

It as )eyo"d im(orta"t to do this& )eca*se so 'ar all o' $ric#s cha"ges a"d actio"s ere

o"ly ha((e"i"g& )eca*se everythi"g as goi"g smoothly& mostly& a"d there really

as"#t a"y direct o)stacles or (ro)lems )etee" them at the mome"t. The o"ly

(ro)lem& as the "eed 'or )oth o' them to cha"ge& to ma%e thi"gs or%& )*t $ric had

)ee" more tha" '*l'illi"g his hal'.

I" 'act& he had )ee" goi"g etremely o*t o' his ay 'or ee%s "o& to im(ress Amy& a"d

to (rove to her that he as serio*s "o.

;*t i' she 2*st acce(ted everythi"g& he" thi"gs ere goi"g smoothly& it o*ld set $ric

*( ith the 'alse idea that he sho*ld"#t also act this ay he" thi"gs are "ot goi"g


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+he ra" aay as 'ast as she co*ld& 'eeli"g childish& )*t she %"e that she co*ld"#t give

him a cha"ce to try a"d sto( her& 2*st yet. +he as too emotio"ally ea% "o& a"d she

had to "ot give i"to him& "o matter hat& *"til it as 1 certai" that the cha"ges

ere (erma"e"t this time.

+he had )ee" thro*gh too m*ch& a"d had or%ed too hard over the years& to 2*st sto(

short o' the *ltimate goal.

This did"#t mea" that it as easy 'or her& either& )eca*se the g*ilt tore thro*gh her

more i"te"sely tha" a"ythi"g else had ever ri((ed thro*gh her co"scie"ce )e'ore.

Never had she ever do"e somethi"g this cold& or this i"te"se to a"y)ody i" her li'e.

Normally& she#d )e chasi"g $ric aro*"d& madly& tryi"g to get him to do the right thi"gs.

Normally she o*ld have melted& a"d give" i" to somethi"g li%e this/ a"d she

des(erately a"ted to& this time& es(ecially ith all o' the cha"ges $ric had go"e

thro*gh ith 'or himsel'& a"d 'or their relatio"shi( rece"tly.

;*t she %"e she had "o choice. $ve" tho*gh she le't him ha"gi"g high a"d dry& she

%"e that it sim(ly 2*st as"#t 'air& "or as it the right ay to tell him a)o*t the )a)y&

*"der those circ*msta"ces.

Pl*s& she as still i" the testi"g stages/ a"d here $ric had 2*m(ed to a" almost etreme

love (roclamatio". It as very clearly he as dee(ly a"d madly i" love ith her "o& so

she %"e he#d *"dersta"d a"d that he#d )e (atie"t.

His (ho"e call to her later that "ight& revealed that he *"derstood. +he co*ld"#t 'ace

him& he" he called& so she let it go thro*gh to voicemail& here he revealed ,Hey.

3oo%& I %"o that as (retty s*dde"& a"d I %"o that it#s as%i"g a lot a'ter everythi"g I

have do"e. I ill give yo* some s(ace a"d time "o& )*t 2*st %"o that I am "ot goi"g

a"yhere. I %"o that I still have a lot o' (rovi"g to do 'or yo*& )e'ore yo* tr*st me

e"o*gh to do that. 6he" yo*#re ready I ill )e aiti"g to tal%.-

+he 'elt a little )it relieved.


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It too% her a ee%& )e'ore she eve"t 'elt com'orta)le 'aci"g $ric agai". +he had )ee"

too emotio"ally str*"g a'ter everythi"g that too% (lace& to eve" remotely s(ea% to him

itho*t )rea%i"g do". +he also as"#t i" a (ositio" 2*st yet to e(lai" to him& hy she

as doi"g this.

+he o*ld"#t )e a)le to do that& *"til he 'i"ally committed (ro(erly ith his ords&

i"te"tio"s& a"d e"tire )ei"g to her. Tha"%'*lly& he as )ei"g a'*lly (atie"t. The old

$ric o*ld have )ailed& )*t "o she as deali"g ith a g*y ho literally se"t her

'loers everyday& a'ter she de"ied his (ro(osal.

He as act*ally aiti"g 'or her to come to him& to lear" hat as ro"g. He act*ally

a"ted to %"o hat as goi"g o" 'or o"ce& a"d he as illi"g to ait it o*t& *"til she

as ready& to get that %i"d o' a" a"ser.

The e"tire ee% she ig"ored him& he le't her voicemails a"d tets& remi"di"g her that

he is there to s*((ort her& a"d a(ologi!i"g over a"d over 'or tryi"g get her to commit to

him that heavily )e'ore he has (rove" himsel'.

Amy 'elt it as time "o& to 'i"ally reveal the 'i"al test. Agreei"g to meet 'or a co''ee& i"

the middle o' the day& Amy 'i"ally revealed the o"ly remai"i"g all resti"g )etee"

their ha((i"ess& a"d '*t*re.

+he as (reg"a"t.

It as 'i"ally o*t there. +he as care'*l to ma%e it clear to $ric that this had )ee" tr*e

'or some time& a"d that her decisio" as 'i"al& regardless o' hat he decides to do. +he

the" told him that she had to go& leavi"g him "o room to as% a"y '*rther *estio"s that

might e"d *( res*lti"g i" her givi"g him the a"sers to his o" (ro)lems.

This as"#t his (ro)lem& it as hers. He co*ld choose to s*((ort her a"d )e a (art o' it&

or he co*ld choose to leave. ;*t she as"#t goi"g to mother him a"ymore i"to a"

o*tcome.

This time& she 'i"ally did the o"e thi"g she had "ever do"e )e'ore4 she let him )e a


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ma". A real ma".

6ith that she le't& agai"& this time& ith a 'eeli"g o' relie' o" her chest. They did"#t tal%

a)o*t the (ro(osal& )*t it as clear 'rom his messages d*ri"g the ee%& that he

*"derstood that she co*ld"#t acce(t it at this time.

;*t "o he %"e hy.

+he as clear i" letti"g him %"o that she co*ld"#t commit to him& ith somethi"g li%e

that loomi"g i" the air& a"d o"ly gave him o"e direct a"ser a)o*t the (ro(osal. +he

had told him that she o*ld "ot )e a)le to do a"ythi"g li%e that& i" the "ear '*t*re& )*t

that she as"#t closed to it either. It 2*st as"#t the right time& give" the circ*msta"ces.

+*r(risi"gly& over the "et ee%& she 'o*"d yet agai"& 'loers delivered& this time ith

)alloo"s attached sayi"g ,co"grat*latio"s-. He co"ti"*ed to call her& leavi"g voice mail

messages& a"d tets agai"& detaili"g his (rogress& e(lai"i"g his 'eeli"gs& letti"g her

%"o that he as there.

+he decided to leave it 'or a"other ee%. 6hat o*ld he do& i' she did"#t res(o"d0

6o*ld he 2*st give *(0 Ho committed as he this time0

;*t to her s*r(rise& he co"ti"*ed. He set *( (la"s to meet her agai"& this time tryi"g to

im(ress her o"ce agai"& a"d tryi"g to tailor the circ*msta"ces o' the ,date- to (lease

her. +he decided to give i"& agai"& he" he (ro(osed a"other )rillia"t o*ti"g& this time&

to a" o)servatory& so that they co*ld see the stars together.

They s(e"t the e"tire "ight there& stayi"g *( late together& la*ghi"g& holdi"g ha"ds&

eve" %issi"g.

Over a (eriod o' the "et mo"th& $ric made it clear that he as"#t goi"g a"yhere& a"d

that this as his 'amily. He cha"ged com(a"ies a"d got a (ositio" as a ma"ager o' a

"e com(a"y. He moved i"to a )igger (lace& a"d set *( a "*rsery room.

O"e move $ric made a'ter a"other& "o matter hat it as 'or& as "o )igger& )etter&


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a"d com(letely committed& toard the relatio"shi( a"d Amy.

+he 'o*"d that they )arely eve" arg*ed a"ymore& altho*gh they still had to )e ho"est

a"d give critical 'eed)ac% ith o"e a"other& the di''ere"ce as& that this time& they

act*ally $NGO5$D arg*i"g As sic% as it as 'or Amy to admit& eve" their arg*me"ts

ere "o almost (er'ect.

+he had everythi"g she had dreamed o' "o& a"d $ric#s as "o ta%i"g lo"g term

actio" to (rove his loyalty& love& a"d desire to Amy.

6ith "othi"g le't to do& )*t live ha((ily ever a'ter& Amy 'i"ally gave i" to $ric. J mo"ths

later& their 'irst child as )or"& as $ric as there to c*t the cord& i" the delivery room.

He held his child 'or the 'irst time& a"d tha"%ed Amy 'or the )ea*ti'*l li'e she had give"

him.

He (ro(osed agai"& i" the delivery room& this time ith a ri"g& i" 'ro"t o' her 'amily. I"

'act he had as%ed her 'ather 'or his da*ghters# ha"d i" marriage earlier& a"d her 'ather

had o)liged. +he said yes this time& 'i"ally 'eeli"g a" i"te"se se"se o' relie'& they co*ld

live ha((ily ever a'ter& 'rom hereo" o*t.

They 'i"ally )oth %"e hat to do& )*t more im(orta"tly& they %"e ho to love each

other& i" the most ge"*i"ely '*l'illi"g& a"d everlasti"g ay (ossi)le.

A"d so& Amy a"d $ric lived ha((ily ever a'ter.

Chapter 1: The Drama Method

Amy#s story as i"te"se& a"d I am s*re that yo* are "o o"deri"g hat eactly it is

that she did to get s*ch a (oer'*lly i"te"se res(o"se o' love a"d commitme"t 'rom

$ric. There are three im(orta"t thi"gs that had to ha((e"& 'or Amy to achieve the

t*r"aro*"d that she did& i" her relatio"shi(.


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The 'irst thi"g& as a series o' ,aha- mome"ts& that )ro%e thro*gh all o' the

misco"ce(tio"s& i"correct co"ve"tio"al )elie' systems& a"d misleadi"g co"ditio"i"g

that had )*ilt *( aro*"d Amy over the years.

The seco"d thi"g& that had to ha((e"& as the im(leme"tatio" o' some very strategic

methods& tactics& g*ideli"es& a"d r*les& all o' hich ere desig"ed to give Amy the most

ge"*i"e ha((ily ever a'ter& that she co*ld have ever ho(ed& or dreamed o' havi"g.

These to very im(orta"t thi"gs are ;OTH i"cl*ded& a"d addressed i" this co*rse& a"d

that#s eactly hat this (rogram is goi"g to teach yo*. I" this (rogram& yo* ill lear"

eactly hat it is that Amy did& )*t yo* ill also lear" eactly ho she did it& so that yo*ca" get the same& i' "ot )etter %i"d o' res*lts& i" yo*r o" relatio"shi(s ith me".

+o I o*ld li%e yo* to *se this (rogram as a g*ide i"to creati"g yo*r o" (erso"al

ha((ily ever a'ter& )*t I#d li%e to 'irst let yo* i" o" a little secret.

The ome" ho are the most s*ccess'*l& ha((y& a"d loved i" their relatio"shi(s& o"ly

ever s*cceed i' they im(leme"t )oth o' the im(orta"t thi"gs listed a)ove& alo"gside

o"e 'i"al a"d com(elli"g thi"g.

I ill tell yo* hat that 'i"al thi"g is& i" 2*st a little )it& )*t *"dersta"d 'or "o& that i"

Amy#s story& she lac%ed the %"oledge "ecessary to act*ally get her ha((ily ever a'ter&

a"d li%e most ome"& she or%ed hard to try a"d ma%e thi"gs or% o*t& a"d yet "o

matter ho hard she tried& everythi"g %e(t 'alli"g a(art.

U"'ort*"ately& Amy#s story is "ot *"li%e that o' ma"y other ome" o*t there& hich

mea"s that eve" i' yo* %"e hat to do& i' yo* sim(ly did"#t %"o HO6 to do it&

)eca*se yo* lac%ed the %"oledge& yo* are )asically goi"g to e"d *( st*c% i"

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