No One Waited at the Sunset's End

I've broken up with Paddy Dickerson six times. Every single time, because of Sarah Fox.

To bankroll that bankrupt princess's spending habits, he'd sneak off to underground boxing rings behind my back, trading his body for cash.

And every time I steeled myself to end it, he'd drop to his knees in front of me, eyes bloodshot, swearing it was the last time.

Seeing him covered in wounds, I'd cave. Every time.

Today was the day we'd agreed to meet each other's parents and set a wedding date.

I sat in the private dining room under the stares of relatives, waiting from noon until dark. Paddy never showed.

At ten o'clock that night, I finally got a call. From his buddy Karl Fletcher.

Carly, Paddy went to fight and they rushed him into the ER, you need to

I cut him off.

For Sarah again?

Karl stammered through an explanation.

Sarah had her eye on some limited-edition bag

The other end of the line was chaos. Underneath it, I could make out Sarah calling Paddy's name.

Something in me just went quiet.

All the shameless pushing and pulling, the breaking up and making upit was like death by a thousand cuts, and the blade never stopped.

I closed my eyes and spoke into the phone, calm.

I'm not coming.

Tell him we're done. For good.

My mom looked at me and let out a sigh, her heart breaking for me.

Maybe it's for the best.

We can take the embarrassment. Better than you spending the rest of your life on edge.

I held back my tears and nodded.

Mom, take Dad and go home. Don't worry about me.

I've got a few things left to take care of.

After I saw my parents off, I sat alone in the empty private room.

My phone screen lit up. A video from Sarah, maybe fifteen seconds long.

In the frame, Paddy lay on a hospital bed, face bruised and swollen, looking wrecked and weak.

He forced a weak smile.

What are you crying for?

When have I ever broken a promise to you about a gift?

The video cut off right there.

A text from Sarah followed immediately.

Paddy's awake and he got me the bag! Don't be mad at him, and don't worry okay?

I didn't reply. Just locked the screen.

Half an hour later, I was back at the apartment Paddy and I rented together.

I pulled the suitcase out from under the bed and started packing.

When I opened the bottom drawer of the closet, my hands stopped.

A cheap trophy sat there, piled in the back. Something Paddy had won in the ring.

I stared at it, and for a second the room went hazy.

I was back two years ago.

The first time he'd gone to the underground fights behind my back. When I found out, I fell apart and told him we were done.

It rained hard that night.

Paddy dragged his beaten-up body to the door of my rental and wouldn't leave no matter how many times I told him to go.

I kept my face cold and told him I would never forgive him. He got so desperate his eyes went red, and then he collapsed right at my feet.

I was shaking so hard I couldn't stop, holding his unconscious body against me, crying until I couldn't breathe.

I thought I was really going to lose him.

That terror of almost losing the person you love most. It made me surrender completely.

Then came the second time, the third

Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz

The vibration of my phone dragged me out of the memory.

Paddy.

Carly, you got scared, huh? I'm fine, just a few scratches.

Karl's such a drama queen. Doctor says two days of observation and I'm good to go.

Sorry about today. Your parents must be pretty upset, right?

I gave a quiet "mm."

When he didn't hear the usual tears and screaming, he sounded relieved.

There's something I wanted to talk to you about, though.

The wedding. Can we push it back a couple of years?

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully.

Sarah was just telling me in the hospital room that all her old friends have bought cars recently, and she wants one too.

So I went ahead and transferred the money we'd been saving for the wedding. Sent it to her.

When I said nothing, his voice slipped into that coaxing tone.

You know the Fox family took care of me growing up. I've always treated her like my own little sister.

Her family went bankrupt. If I can help her, I have to help her

He went on and on, talking about his loyalty, his gratitude, his sense of duty.

Before, hearing those words would have had me screaming at him until my voice gave out.

Then what am I?

What are my years and my dignity worth?

But now, I didn't even have the desire to fight.

My voice came out flat.

Do whatever you want.

On the other end, Paddy's voice lit up with barely concealed delight.

Carly, I knew you'd understand. You're the best.

You weren't saying anything for so long, I thought you were gonna threaten to break up with me again. Scared me half to death.

I smiled faintly.

I won't. I'm never going to fight with you about this again.

His tone shifted, suddenly serious.

Carly, believe me, this was the last time I'll ever do underground boxing.

I'll never let you suffer again, not even a little. The wedding's just delayed, that's all. I swear, when the time comes, I'll give you the most spectacular wedding this city has ever seen. I'll bring you home in the grandest style possible

I listened in silence.

He had said the same things so many times over the past five years.

The first time, I was moved to tears.

Now my heart was a dry well, and nothing he said could stir even an echo.

Right in the middle of his grand promises about our future, there was the sound of a hospital door swinging open on his end.

Then Sarah's excited voice cut through.

Paddy! Karl just drove the car back for me! It's parked downstairs right now, and it looks incredible!

Come on, come down and see it with me, please?

Paddy's heartfelt declaration to me died mid-sentence. His voice switched instantly to indulgent warmth.

Princess, I literally just got my stitches doneFine, fine, fine, let me throw something on and I'll go with you. Stop pulling me.

I didn't listen to the rest. I hung up.

It wasn't always like this between Paddy and me.

When we first got together, Sarah Fox didn't exist in my world.

That changed two years ago, when the Fox family went bankrupt and Sarah was forced to come back from overseas.

That was when I learned Paddy was an orphan, raised on the Foxes' money.

In his mind, Sarah wasn't just a little sister. She was a debt he had to repay with his life.

That kind of obligation was a mountain I could never cross, and it had doomed us from the start.

I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and called my graduate advisor.

Professor Lambert, the position you mentioned before, the one at the Iceland Polar Observation Station. Is it still available?

His voice turned serious on the other end.

It is.

But let me be clear with you again. The security clearance is high. Once you're in, you won't be able to come home for at least three years. You still want it?

My voice was steady.

I do.

He paused for two seconds, then sighed.

You refused to go no matter what before. So you broke up with that boy?

I made a quiet sound of confirmation, my eyes stinging

We broke up.

I was dragging my suitcase out of the building when the high beams swept across me.

A brand-new car sat parked at the curb.

The window slid down, and Sarah let her gaze travel over my suitcase before raising an eyebrow with a smile.

What's this, running away from home in the middle of the night?

I smiled back.

If I don't leave, how are you going to move in?

Sarah pushed the door open and stepped out.

Don't make it sound like I'm the one who came between you two. That's just sad.

Paddy chose to spend his money on me. What am I supposed to do about that?

She paused deliberately.

Honestly, you're kind of pitiful. You know that?

One time Paddy got drunk and told me that back then, if it weren't for the fact that I was the untouchable Fox family princess and he was just the poor kid they sponsored

if the gap between us hadn't made him too afraid to even try, he never would've settled for someone else.

So don't kid yourself that you were ever the real thing.

If I'd actually wanted to take him from you, you wouldn't have stood a chance.

The night wind blew through, tangling my hair across my face.

Hearing all of this, I didn't feel the slightest bit of hurt.

All I felt was how absurd these five years had been.

I gave a faint smile.

Then I wish you two a lifetime of happiness. Locked together for life.

My reaction caught Sarah off guard. For a second she just stood there, and you could see itthat flash of irritation when a punch lands on nothing but air.

When she saw me turning to leave, she grabbed the strap of my suitcase.

Wait. Who said you could leave?

You walk out and Paddy's still lying in that hospital. I'm not about to play nurse. You need to go take care of him.

I looked down at her hand gripping the suitcase.

Let go.

Sarah didn't let go. Instead, she pulled out her phone and video-called Paddy.

Paddydid I make Carly mad again?

I just wanted to show her the new car, but she's got her suitcase and she's insisting on leaving. She won't even go to the hospital to see you. I tried to stop her, but

On the screen, Paddy's head was wrapped in gauze, his face pale.

After hearing what Sarah said, he didn't ask why I was standing on the street with a suitcase in the middle of the night. He didn't ask if I was cold.

He frowned, his voice weary and exasperated.

Carly, what are you throwing a fit about now? We just talked on the phone and everything was fine.

Stop giving Sarah a hard time. Just get to the hospital.

I stood in the night wind, about to turn around and walk away, when I suddenly remembered what my advisor had told me.

The security clearance review for the Iceland polar project is strict. First thing tomorrow morning, you need to bring your passport and original ID to the department office to start the paperwork.

And my passport, along with every important document I had, was with Paddy.

Because today was supposed to be the day we'd agreed to meet each other's parents and set a wedding date, then go to the clerk's office first thing tomorrow to get our marriage license.

I'd packed all my documents into one pouch last night, and it was in his overnight bag.

That bag was sitting on the nightstand beside his hospital bed.

I looked at Paddy on the screen.

Fine.

I'm on my way.

Half an hour later, I reached the third floor of the inpatient ward.

I was about to push the door open when I heard Karl's voice inside.

Paddy, you really crossed a line this time.

That was the down payment you and Carly saved up to get married, and you blew all of it buying Sarah a car?

You stood up her parents today too. Aren't you worried she's finally had enough and actually leaves you for good?

Carly's been so good to you these past five years. All of us could see it.

My hand froze in midair.

Through the gap in the door, Paddy went quiet for two seconds. Then his voice came, utterly sure of itself.

We're not breaking up.

Five years. You don't just walk away from five years together.

You know how Carly is. She's soft. Every time we fight, all I have to do is back down a little and she comes around on her own.

Once I'm out of here, I'll get her a nice gift, smooth things over. She'll let it go.

Karl let out a sigh.

But Paddy, you give way too much to Sarah.

What woman could stand watching her man bend over backwards for someone else with zero boundaries? What are you even thinking?

Paddy's tone turned serious.

How can you even compare the two?

Sarah's family went bankrupt. She's got nothing left.

I told her I'd take care of her for life, and I meant it. I owe her that. It's a debt I have to pay.

He paused, and his voice softened a fraction.

Carly's reasonable. She gets it. After we're married, I'll treat her twice as well. I'll make it up to her in other ways.

But Sarah? I'm never letting go of that responsibility. Not in this lifetime. Carly will get used to it eventually.

That was when Sarah's spoiled voice rang out behind me.

Hey! What are you doing standing at the door?

The conversation inside the room cut dead.

Paddy's head snapped up from the hospital bed.

The moment he saw me standing outside, panic flooded his face.

Carly, when did you get here? Let me explain

I cut him off.

Don't bother.

Paddy, I've heard your explanations so many times they make me sick.

Paddy's face went white.

Carly, stop doing this, okay? Karl and I were just talking, one thing led to another.

Besides, didn't I already tell you? This was the last time. From now on I'll definitely

I pulled a thin smile.

The last time?

How many times have you told me it was the last time?

You've been lying to me all along. You never once planned to cut her off. You were just testing me, over and over, pushing me inch by inch until I'd accept this sick arrangement. Weren't you?

Paddy's expression shifted. His lips moved, but no rebuttal came out

My eyes burned.

Paddy, every single time you went to those underground boxing fights, I couldn't close my eyes the entire night!

I sat there gripping my phone, terrified I'd get a call from the hospital, terrified that one day you'd die in that cage!

But did you ever think about me? Even once? Did it ever cross your mind that I was at home, waiting for you!

Paddy's voice shot up, urgent.

Nothing's going to happen to me!

I know what I'm doing. I walk out in one piece every time. Look at me, I'm fine!

I let out a laugh.

Fine?

Then let me ask you something, Paddy.

Even after we're married. Even after we have kids. If Sarah says one word, if she wants something, you'll still go behind my back to that place and risk your life earning money for her. Won't you?

Paddy said nothing. He dropped his head and couldn't meet my eyes.

I looked away.

Give me the black bag by your bed.

Paddy blinked, caught off guard.

What do you need the bag for? Carly, what are you doing?

Give it to me.

Karl read the room, turned around, grabbed the bag, and handed it over.

I unzipped it, pulled out my ID and passport, and turned and walked out.

The next morning at nine sharp, I was standing in Professor Lambert's office.

You're sure about this? Once you hand over your documents and the process starts, there's no backing out.

I answered without hesitation.

I'm sure. I won't regret it.

Three days later.

Paddy pushed open the apartment door with a thick bandage still plastered across his forehead.

He'd stopped at the flower shop downstairs and picked up a bouquet of lisianthus, planning to do what he always did: soften her up, bow his head, smooth things over.

Carly, I'm out of the hospital. Got you some

The apartment was silent. No one answered.

He frowned, changed his shoes, and walked into the bedroom.

Still mad? I came straight home the second they discharged me

His voice cut off the instant he opened the wardrobe.