Not a wedding photo , exactly .
A photo from their marriage license .
Ashley smiled , a smaller , more hesitant smile than before .
She leaned towards Jason , who stood beside her with a neutral expression , jarring against the cheerful red background .
They didnt have any real wedding photos .
After a year of agonizing , Jason had finally agreed to marry Ashley .
He wasnt marrying the woman he loved , so he hadnt cared about any of the usual traditions .
Plus , his mom was in the hospital .
Theyd skipped the wedding and the photos , just signing the papers .
Id expected this page .
the day she finally got him to be overflowing with declarations of love .
But it was blank .
I stared at the picture , a dull ache in my chest .
Five years of a crush , five years of marriage , and this was their only picture together .
I turned the page , my heart heavy .
No more pictures of Jason .
Just occasional entries .
Hes so busy .
His new company takes up all his time .
He works so hard .
Made him sweet and sour pork , but he came home drunk and passed out .
He bought a condo near work .
He said it was for convenience .
But why was she there ? I know Im not her .
But I want his baby .
Am I crazy ? Saw Chad at the nursing home today .
He said Im an idiot , that Jason wont fall for these tricks .
We almost had a fight .
Because I knew he was right .
I was ready to give up .
But Jason came home drunk and upset .
I kissed him , and he kissed me back .
For the first time .
< 12:40 Blank pages .
Then : I think … Im pregnant ? I kept reading .
Those two months had been the happiest of their marriage .
Even though Ashley knew Jasons change of heart was only because of the baby .
But it was enough .
Shed been in love with him for years .
Shed thought he was her savior .

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Shed wanted his warmth , his love , but shed been wrong from the start .
The illusion had shattered .
The last page : an ultrasound picture .
The paper was creased , the ink faded , as if water damaged .
Below it , a barely legible caption : Baby , Im sorry .
I failed you .
A jolt of pain shot through me .
Images flooded my mind , overwhelming me .
I felt like I was drowning , gasping for air .
I remembered .
I hadnt time traveled into the book .
I was Ashley .
16 .
My phone rang , shattering the silence .
It was Chad .
You went to see Jason at the hospital today ? He was supposed to be out of town on < business .
He shouldnt have known .
Id made that comment on Instagram , but he shouldnt have known the details , the timing .
Yes , I admitted .
How did you know ? A pause .
Jason called me .
Asked about you .
A vague answer , but I knew what he meant .
Jason had asked about the miscarriage .
Chad had been the first one to arrive at the hospital that day .
Oh .
I didnt press for details .
Chads voice softened .
Its late .
Arent you sleeping ? The doorbell rang .
It was Jason .
I hung up on Chad and went downstairs , opening the door just a crack , not letting him in .
It was dark out , the streetlights casting long .
shadows across his face .
What is it ? He looked pale .
I … I wanted to apologize .
I didnt know … I didnt know how serious it was that day .
I … Three hours after Id left the hospital , and he was just apologizing ? Dont bother , I said quietly .
Its over .
Too late .
I didnt need his apology anymore .
Jason paled further .
Ashley , please , let me explain .
I can explain ! I didnt mean to fight with you that day .
It was … it was … Melissa ? I finished for him .
He flinched .
He closed his eyes , each word a struggle .
I thought you were lying again .
I thought it could wait .
If Id known … So everything you think is true ? Pain flickered in his eyes .
But … but why did you say … why did you say you did it on purpose ?! A faint smile touched my lips .
You believed me , didnt you ? He froze .
Hed already decided what kind of person I was selfish , manipulative , cruel .
Hed condemned me without a second thought .
He struggled to speak .
Did you … that day , with Melissa … did you push her ? I looked at him .
This man … Id loved him for ten years .
And now , his greatest act of faith was to question .
Melissas version of events .
I nodded .
I pushed her .
No ! He grabbed my wrist , his eyes pleading .
You didnt ! Tell me you didnt ! His grip tightened , and I winced .
I was about to push him away when a figure appeared behind him , yanking Jason off me and sending a fist crashing into his face .