Oxford, England, 2019
The café was buzzing with people, the warm glow of the late afternoon filtering through the large windows. Brooke settled into her chair, nerves jangling, her fingers fidgeting with the small pouch in her jacket pocket. Inside was a pregnancy test that could turn her world upside down. But for now, all that mattered was being here, across from Ethan, the man who had been by her side for the past three years.
The father of her child.
Ethan arrived right on time, as always. When he pushed open the door, his eyes met hers, and a wide smile spread across his face as he made his way to the table.
“Everything okay?” he asked, sliding into the empty seat.
Brooke nodded, masking the storm brewing in her chest.
“Of course,” she replied, taking a sip of her coffee. “And you? How’s that bright future you’re always talking about coming along?”
Ethan leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face. He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and slid it across the table.
“I’ve been offered a position,” he said, his voice brimming with excitement. “There’s a spot for a neurology resident in an exchange program in Japan. The head of neurosurgery recommended me, and they confirmed it this morning. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Brooke fell silent, staring at the paper. Something inside her began to unravel. Ethan was leaving for somewhere so far away? Why hadn’t he mentioned this sooner?
“That’s… amazing, Ethan. I’m so happy for you,” she said, forcing a smile as her fingers brushed against the test in her pocket.
The lump in her throat was almost unbearable. She couldn’t ruin his moment.
“Thanks, Brooke. I know this is going to be a huge change, but it’s an opportunity I can’t pass up.”
Brooke nodded, the weight of the world pressing down on her chest. She wanted to tell him she was pregnant, that everything had just shifted, but something held her back. She couldn’t do it, not right now.
“When do you leave?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“In a few weeks. The exchange starts right away,” he replied, letting out a small, nervous laugh. “It’s a big change.”
Brooke looked at him, struggling to hide the flood of emotions washing over her. She wanted to beg him not to go, to tell him there was something far more important than any medical fellowship. But she stayed quiet.
She stayed quiet because she knew how hard Ethan had worked to get to this point. This was his moment to shine. In a few days, she’d tell him about the pregnancy, and they’d figure out how to navigate all the changes together.
“Congratulations,” she said, reaching across the table to take his hand.
“Thanks, Brooke. But… this has also got me thinking a lot.”
The words that followed hit her like a ton of bricks.
“What I mean is, with this trip, I need to focus on my career. This is my moment, and I can’t let it slip away.” He paused. “Maybe it’s best if we call things off for now.”
Brooke stared at him, stunned, feeling the absence of his hand as he pulled it away. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan avoided her gaze, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.
“I just don’t want anything holding me back. I don’t want you to worry about the distance or the time difference. It’s going to be tough, and I know you wouldn’t like that. I’ve put my career ahead of a lot of things, and I didn’t want to put it ahead of you, but right now, I need to focus on this. On my future.”
Brooke felt the air drain from her lungs. Tears welled up, but she held them back, biting her lip.
She couldn’t let him see her break.
She didn’t want to.
Ethan, noticing her reaction, lowered his eyes, as if searching for an apology.
“Please don’t cry. I’m really sorry. But I’m sure you’ll want to focus on your own career too. I don’t want this to hold you back either.”
Brooke couldn’t say a word. She just looked up, her heart shattered, and stood. Grabbing her bag, she clutched the test tightly in her pocket and walked out without another word.