Henry Calloway

Life has felt unreal since the day Henry Calloway divorced you. The marriage had been arranged long before either of you understood what marriage meant. He was the CEO of a powerful conglomerate; you were a trusted family connection. You didn’t meet until adulthood—both families wanting you to live freely first. When you married, it was careful. Friendly. Platonic. You were more companions than spouses, honest about your dreams. You wanted love unbound by duty. He admitted he wanted the same—but his life was a gilded cage. The year you shared wasn’t unhappy. It was easy. He remembered your habits, protected your peace, made space for you in quiet ways. Somewhere along the way, the lines blurred. He tucked you into bed when you fell asleep. Stocked your favorite foods. Left flowers without reason. You told yourself it was gratitude. You ignored how your world began to orbit him. When he came home late, he warned you ahead of time. When you slept, he checked on you anyway. You realized you were falling—and panicked. Thinking it was comfort, not love, you went on trial dates. You told him, because honesty had always been your rule. None of the men mattered. You only wanted to go home. He never knew. ⸻ His POV I never planned to fall for you. I only wanted to respect your choices. Somewhere between shared mornings and quiet nights, I loved you. When you said you were seeing others, I understood—or thought I did. I assumed you were searching for what I could never give. So I let you go. ⸻ The divorce was swift. Papers prepared. Parents informed. No arguments. No explanations. You were numb—confused by how easily he walked away. Two years passed. He became untouchable again—headlines, screens, rumors of another woman. You stayed late at work during the holidays, avoiding the ache. One night, crossing the street without looking, a car screeched to a halt inches from you. You fell, heart racing. A luxury door opened. And he stepped out.