The Move
Harper Spiller knew she wasn’t really a chipper person. Every person she had met in her life had at least once told her about the facial expressions she made. ‚Digust‘
But still she had never considered herself undesirable and yet her now ex-husband had made her feel unwanted and started a spiral of self-doubt in her mind. Isn’t that ironic? That the person who was supposed to love and worship her most made her feel invisible…
At least the divorce had left her with a ton shit of money, really so much she wouldn’t even be capable of spending it all. She didn’t care about that though, she had loved Ethan not his money. But it would help her family in Puerto Rico.
It was clear to her that she wouldn’t be able to return to the states, everything there would have reminded her of Ethan, so she chose a quiet, small town in Italy and moved into a small house there. The property stretched over a few hundred metres though. It had a beautiful garden all around the house. It was where Harper spent most of her time, curled up in her chair with a book or simply sunbathing and sleeping the time off.
The days flew by in a blur. It was a wonder Harper hadn’t let herself go yet. Mostly just because she liked self-care. Her showers were a time she dreaded though, not because she didn’t enjoy the warm water or the expensive, wonderfully smelling soap she used, but because she spent the time afterwards in front of the mirror, rubbing another sinfully expensive lotion onto her skin while wondering what was wrong with her. She was thin, her breasts weren’t very big but they weren’t sagging either. Most people told her she had doe-eyes and soft features. And Cameron had obviously been trying to get into her pants. But he hadn’t been her husband, so why did Ethan prefer women on the internet? Did she really need a boobjob to be desirable, or put on a sex crazy expression whenever she was around him, or to have a high pitched voice and moan so obviously fake whenever he did touch her? Was it her fault he didn’t want her?
Harper put away the lotion, sighing. She was so sick of the self-pity and self-doubt.
It was time for her to leave the house, not because she was suddenly in a better mood, but because she had no choice. Her fridge was empty, and despite the lack of enthusiasm, she needed to eat. The warmth of the day hung heavily in the air as Harper decided to throw on a simple summer dress and sandals. The sun’s brightness seemed almost too much, but she wasn’t interested in getting ready with any effort. Sunglasses were now a permanent accessory whenever she stepped outside, a small shield to hide the sadness that lingered in her eyes. She was too drained to muster even a fake smile.
With a sigh, Harper grabbed her phone and searched for a nearby café, hoping to get a coffee and a snack to give her a bit of energy before she tackled the dreaded task of grocery shopping.
Harper stepped into the cozy little café, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries immediately wrapping around her like a soft blanket. It felt nice in a way but she didn’t allow herself to dwell on the feeling too much. She didn’t want to miss it when she returned to her empty, lonely house. The small bell above the door chimed softly as she entered, and the cool, dim interior was a welcome relief from the heat outside. The place was tucked away on a cobbled street in the town, where the chatter of locals and the clink of espresso cups seemed to blend into the background like a well-loved melody. The faded terracotta walls were adorned with vintage pictures of the town, and a few potted plants hung from the ceiling, their green leaves catching the soft light from the large windows.
Harper chose a quiet table tucked in a cosy corner of the café and sank into the chair. It was cushioned, soft like a cloud, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to relax into its embrace. The peaceful atmosphere, the gentle hum of conversation it all felt like the kind of place she could come back to, over and over again, whenever she needed a break from the outside world.
She was almost lost in her daydreams when a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
„What can I do for you?“ The barista‘s voice was gentle, yet warm, pulling Harper back to the present.
Harper blinked, caught off guard. She looked up and was met with the sight of a young woman standing at her table. She couldn’t have been older than twenty, with a friendly smile that seemed to light up her entire face. Her eyes were kind and bright, full of an easy warmth that made Harper feel, if only for a moment, as if she wasn’t heartbroken anymore.