Melissa’s mind spiraled back to the beginning of their love story.
They had met four years earlier at a friend’s party, bonding instantly over their shared affection for cheesy rom-coms and classic novels. Weekends became their sacred time—hours spent in cafés, wandering through bookstores, or getting lost in laughter. It wasn’t the stuff of movie scripts, but it was real, and it was theirs.
After a year, Melissa moved into Paul’s cramped apartment. The kitchen was barely big enough for one, let alone two, but they made it work. She often dreamed aloud of a family home away from the noise of the city, while Paul hesitated at the financial leap. Their arguments over the future were heated, but Melissa’s determination eventually won.
Together, they saved relentlessly for two years, living on a shoestring budget until finally they managed to lease a small house by the forest. Melissa had been overjoyed. She believed the fresh start would solve everything.
And for a time, it did. The forest air felt like a promise of peace. They married within months of moving, and not long after, Melissa discovered she was pregnant. Their evenings were filled with plans for the nursery and tender hopes for the future.