The first rule of a revenge vacation was never to fall for the person helping you get revenge. Unfortunately, nobody had thought to mention that to me before I booked a week at a luxury seaside resort with a man whose last name I barely knew.<\/p>\n
At the time, I had convinced myself it was a brilliant idea. My ex-boyfriend had humiliated me, moved on as though our relationship had meant nothing, and left me questioning everything about myself. I wanted him to see that I was doing just fine without him. Better than fine, actually. I wanted him to regret ever walking away.<\/p>\n
What I hadn’t anticipated was that the stranger I hired to play my boyfriend might turn out to be the one person who could teach me what being genuinely loved felt like. And by the time I understood that, my carefully constructed little performance had become something neither of us knew how to handle.<\/p>\n
My name is Sophie Bennett, and the whole ridiculous adventure began in a dimly lit bar on a rainy Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
I was sitting alone, staring at a glass of wine that had barely been touched. Three weeks earlier, my boyfriend of four years, Daniel, had announced that he needed a different kind of life. Apparently, that meant a life without me. He had delivered the news over dinner, calmly explaining that our relationship had become predictable and that he wanted someone who shared his ambitions.<\/p>\n
The particularly painful part was discovering two days later that he’d already been seeing someone from his office. Her name was Vanessa, and according to the photographs flooding their social media accounts, she was everything Daniel suddenly wanted: adventurous, glamorous, and seemingly incapable of having a bad hair day.<\/p>\n
I had spent the previous week doing what every heartbroken person promises themselves they won’t do. I checked their profiles, examined their holiday photographs, and compared my appearance to hers. It was humiliating, but knowing that didn’t make me stop.<\/p>\n
That evening, a man sitting two stools away noticed my increasingly miserable expression.<\/p>\n
“Either that wine tastes terrible, or somebody has committed a serious crime against your happiness,” he remarked.<\/p>\n
I glanced at him. He was probably in his early thirties, with dark, slightly unruly hair and an easy smile. His shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, and he had the relaxed appearance of someone who had never worried about what strangers thought of him.<\/p>\n
“Something like that,” I replied.<\/p>\n
“Want to talk about it, or should I pretend I didn’t notice?”<\/p>\n
I laughed despite myself. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”<\/p>\n
“Try me.”<\/p>\n
His name was Ethan Miller. He worked as a freelance photographer, mostly covering weddings, travel events, and commercial assignments. He had recently lost a major contract after a client refused to pay him, leaving him struggling to cover his expenses.<\/p>\n
I told him about Daniel, the breakup, and Vanessa. I even showed him one of their photographs, which I immediately regretted.<\/p>\n
Ethan studied it for a moment.<\/p>\n
“That’s your ex?”<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately.”<\/p>\n
“And you’re upset because he found someone else?”<\/p>\n
“I’m upset because he seems happier than he ever was with me.”<\/p>\n
Ethan leaned back, considering that.<\/p>\n
“Have you thought about doing something that makes you happy instead of worrying about whether he’s happy?”<\/p>\n
“That’s easy for you to say.”<\/p>\n
“You’re right. I have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about.”<\/p>\n
His dry delivery made me laugh again.<\/p>\n
Somehow, our conversation drifted toward my upcoming vacation. I had booked a week at a coastal resort in Portugal months earlier, back when Daniel and I were still together. After the breakup, I considered canceling, but the thought of losing the money made me hesitate.<\/p>\n
Then I remembered something. Daniel and Vanessa were going to be staying at the same resort during exactly the same week.<\/p>\n
I had learned that through a mutual friend who had casually mentioned their plans.<\/p>\n
An idea began forming in my mind.<\/p>\n
“What if I went with someone else?” I said aloud.<\/p>\n
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “Someone else?”<\/p>\n
“Someone who could pretend to be my boyfriend. Just for the trip.”<\/p>\n
He stared at me.<\/p>\n
I stared back.<\/p>\n
Then he burst out laughing.<\/p>\n
“You’re serious?”<\/p>\n
“Completely.”<\/p>\n
“That’s either the worst idea I’ve ever heard or the beginning of a very entertaining story.”<\/p>\n
“I’ll pay you,” I added quickly. “All your expenses, plus a fee for your time. You get a free vacation, and I get to prove to my ex that I’ve moved on.”<\/p>\n
Ethan stopped laughing.<\/p>\n
“How much are we talking about?”<\/p>\n
I told him.<\/p>\n
He considered it for several seconds before extending his hand.<\/p>\n
“Well, Sophie Bennett, I suppose I’m your boyfriend for the next seven days.”<\/p>\n
I shook his hand, wondering whether I had just made the biggest mistake of my life.<\/p>\n
Three days later, I was standing in the departure terminal, checking the arrivals and departures board for what felt like the hundredth time.<\/p>\n
Ethan was late.<\/p>\n
I had already begun imagining every possible disaster. Perhaps he had changed his mind. Perhaps he had decided I was completely insane. Perhaps he’d taken the money and disappeared.<\/p>\n
Then someone tapped my shoulder.<\/p>\n
“Looking for your handsome traveling companion?”<\/p>\n
I turned around.<\/p>\n
Ethan stood behind me wearing a navy jacket, carrying a battered suitcase, and looking entirely too pleased with himself.<\/p>\n
“You’re late,” I said.<\/p>\n
“Good morning to you, too.”<\/p>\n
“I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes.”<\/p>\n
“And yet, somehow, you’ve survived.”<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling.<\/p>\n
He glanced at my suitcase. “You packed for a week or an expedition to the Arctic?”<\/p>\n
“Some of us like having options.”<\/p>\n
“Excellent. I’ll make sure to compliment every single outfit.”<\/p>\n
We headed toward security, and for the first time since arranging the trip, I began to feel nervous about the actual performance.<\/p>\n
“What happens if we run into Daniel?” Ethan asked.<\/p>\n
“Just act naturally.”<\/p>\n
“That’s a terrible instruction. I have no idea what naturally means when I’m pretending to be somebody’s boyfriend.”<\/p>\n
“Put your arm around me. Smile. Maybe call me something affectionate.”<\/p>\n
“Darling?”<\/p>\n
“Absolutely not.”<\/p>\n
“Sweetheart?”<\/p>\n
“Please stop.”<\/p>\n
He grinned. “This is going to be a long week.”<\/p>\n
We were approaching the boarding area when I heard a familiar voice behind me.<\/p>\n
“Sophie?”<\/p>\n
My stomach dropped.<\/p>\n
I turned around slowly.<\/p>\n
Daniel stood a few feet away, holding a boarding pass. Vanessa was beside him, wearing oversized sunglasses and carrying a designer handbag.<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us spoke.<\/p>\n
Then Daniel’s eyes moved toward Ethan.<\/p>\n
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Funny. I was just thinking the same thing,” I replied.<\/p>\n
Ethan seemed to understand immediately. He stepped closer, slipped an arm around my shoulders, and smiled.<\/p>\n
“Hey, I’m Ethan.”<\/p>\n
Daniel shook his hand, although his expression had changed.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, I didn’t know you were traveling with someone.”<\/p>\n
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me anymore,” I replied.<\/p>\n
Vanessa gave me a polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.<\/p>\n
“How lovely. Are you two together?”<\/p>\n
Ethan answered before I could.<\/p>\n
“Very much so.”<\/p>\n
He kissed my forehead.<\/p>\n
It was such a simple gesture, but something about it made me forget to breathe.<\/p>\n
Daniel looked between us.<\/p>\n
“Well, congratulations. I suppose you’ve moved on quickly.”<\/p>\n
I smiled.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes life surprises you.”<\/p>\n
We exchanged a few more awkward pleasantries before Ethan checked our boarding passes and announced that we needed to find our seats.<\/p>\n
As we walked away, I glanced over my shoulder.<\/p>\n
Daniel was still watching us.<\/p>\n
For the first time in weeks, I felt as though I had regained a little control over my life.<\/p>\n
But Ethan’s next words quickly brought me back to reality.<\/p>\n
“Just so we’re clear, I’m charging extra if I have to kiss you again before breakfast.”<\/p>\n
I elbowed him.<\/p>\n
“You’re unbearable.”<\/p>\n
“Yet apparently boyfriend material.”<\/p>\n
I laughed, and we boarded the plane.<\/p>\n
The flight was relatively uneventful, although Ethan managed to irritate me by falling asleep almost immediately after takeoff. He even had the audacity to lean against my shoulder.<\/p>\n
I considered waking him.<\/p>\n
Instead, I looked out the window and watched the clouds drift beneath us.<\/p>\n
I had spent so much time imagining Daniel’s reaction that I hadn’t considered what I would do if he genuinely didn’t care. What if he and Vanessa simply enjoyed their vacation while Ethan and I spent a week pretending to be happy?<\/p>\n
The thought bothered me more than I wanted to admit.<\/p>\n
By the time we landed in Portugal, I had almost convinced myself to forget the entire plan and enjoy the holiday.<\/p>\n
That intention lasted approximately fifteen minutes.<\/p>\n
We arrived at the resort, collected our luggage, and approached the reception desk. The property was beautiful, with white buildings, palm-lined pathways, and a swimming pool overlooking the ocean.<\/p>\n
I’d booked a room with two separate beds.<\/p>\n
At least, that was what I remembered.<\/p>\n
The receptionist checked our reservation, smiled, and handed us a key card.<\/p>\n
“Your suite is ready. I hope you enjoy your stay.”<\/p>\n
We thanked her and headed upstairs.<\/p>\n
Ethan opened the door.<\/p>\n
Then he stopped.<\/p>\n
I stepped around him and stared at the room.<\/p>\n
There was one enormous bed in the middle.<\/p>\n
One.<\/p>\n
Not two.<\/p>\n
I looked at the bathroom, then the balcony, then the bed again, hoping another one might magically appear.<\/p>\n
“Please tell me you’re seeing what I’m seeing,” I said.<\/p>\n
Ethan dropped his suitcase.<\/p>\n
“Unless I’m hallucinating, that’s definitely a bed.”<\/p>\n
“I booked two beds!”<\/p>\n
“Maybe they thought we were celebrating an anniversary.”<\/p>\n
“Do I look like someone celebrating an anniversary?”<\/p>\n
He looked me up and down.<\/p>\n
“Not particularly. You look like someone preparing to file a complaint.”<\/p>\n
I grabbed my phone and called reception.<\/p>\n
The receptionist apologized but explained that the hotel was fully booked and that no alternative rooms were currently available.<\/p>\n
I was still arguing when a familiar voice interrupted me.<\/p>\n
“Sophie? Everything all right?”<\/p>\n
I turned.<\/p>\n
Daniel was standing near the elevator with Vanessa.<\/p>\n
Of course.<\/p>\n
“Everything’s fine,” I replied immediately.<\/p>\n
Daniel glanced past me into the room.<\/p>\n
“Is there a problem?”<\/p>\n
“No problem whatsoever.”<\/p>\n
The receptionist, still speaking through my phone, began explaining the situation again.<\/p>\n
I quickly lowered the volume.<\/p>\n
“We’re actually very happy with the room,” I announced.<\/p>\n
Ethan looked at me with an expression that suggested he was enjoying every second of my misery.<\/p>\n
Daniel smiled faintly.<\/p>\n
“One bed? How romantic.”<\/p>\n
I lifted my chin.<\/p>\n
“Yes. It is.”<\/p>\n
“Well, enjoy yourselves,” he said. “Vanessa and I have a lovely suite with a private terrace.”<\/p>\n
“Wonderful. Have a nice stay.”<\/p>\n
He walked away, looking rather pleased with himself.<\/p>\n
I watched him disappear around the corner before turning toward Ethan.<\/p>\n
“Don’t say a word.”<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t going to.”<\/p>\n
“Your face is saying plenty.”<\/p>\n
He raised both hands.<\/p>\n
“Fine. I’ll be quiet.”<\/p>\n
We eventually accepted our room situation, agreeing that one of us could sleep on the sofa if necessary.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the sofa turned out to be more decorative than practical. It was barely large enough for someone half Ethan’s size.<\/p>\n
After considerable negotiation, we decided to share the bed, with a pillow barrier separating us.<\/p>\n
Ethan examined the arrangement.<\/p>\n
“Very professional.”<\/p>\n
“Don’t push your luck.”<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”<\/p>\n
That night, I lay rigidly on my side, trying to concentrate on the sound of the waves outside.<\/p>\n
After several minutes, Ethan spoke.<\/p>\n
“Are you awake?”<\/p>\n
“No.”<\/p>\n
“Interesting. You answer questions remarkably well for someone who’s asleep.”<\/p>\n
I ignored him.<\/p>\n
A moment later, he said, “I hope you don’t kick in your sleep.”<\/p>\n
“I don’t.”<\/p>\n
“Good. Because I have a feeling that pillow barrier won’t survive the night.”<\/p>\n
I threw a pillow at him.<\/p>\n
He laughed so loudly that I had to cover my mouth to stop myself from joining in.<\/p>\n
It was the first time in weeks that I had gone to bed without checking Daniel’s social media.<\/p>\n
And strangely enough, I slept better than I had in a long time.<\/p>\n
The next morning, Ethan woke me by opening the curtains.<\/p>\n
Sunlight flooded the room.<\/p>\n
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.”<\/p>\n
I pulled the blanket over my head.<\/p>\n
“Close them.”<\/p>\n
“Absolutely not. We’re in Portugal. You didn’t come all this way to sleep until lunchtime.”<\/p>\n
“I came here to make my ex jealous.”<\/p>\n
“Right. Important business.”<\/p>\n
He disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me to wonder how someone could be so cheerful before coffee.<\/p>\n
Over the following days, our little performance became increasingly elaborate.<\/p>\n
We made sure to appear affectionate whenever Daniel and Vanessa were nearby. We held hands during breakfast, shared desserts at restaurants, and occasionally sat close together by the pool.<\/p>\n
But something unexpected happened.<\/p>\n
The more time I spent with Ethan, the less I cared whether Daniel noticed.<\/p>\n
Ethan was nothing like the men I had previously dated. He didn’t spend conversations talking about his career or trying to impress people. He was curious about everything, from the history of the little fishing villages to the strange names of local pastries.<\/p>\n
He also had an irritating habit of making me laugh when I was trying to be serious.<\/p>\n
One afternoon, we rented bicycles and rode along the coastal path. Ethan insisted he knew the route, despite having studied the map for approximately twelve seconds.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes later, we were completely lost.<\/p>\n
“Are you sure this is the right way?” I asked.<\/p>\n
“Absolutely.”<\/p>\n
“Then why are we passing the same bakery again?”<\/p>\n
“Perhaps the bakery is following us.”<\/p>\n
I burst out laughing.<\/p>\n
Eventually, we stopped at a small caf\u00e9 overlooking the water. We ordered sandwiches and cold drinks, and Ethan took several photographs of the scenery.<\/p>\n
I watched him work.<\/p>\n
There was something different about him when he held his camera. The teasing disappeared, replaced by concentration and an almost surprising gentleness.<\/p>\n
“Why photography?” I asked.<\/p>\n
He lowered the camera.<\/p>\n
“My grandfather.”<\/p>\n
“Really?”<\/p>\n
“He used to photograph ordinary things. His garden, the neighbors, my grandmother making breakfast. He always said people spent too much time waiting for something extraordinary to happen instead of noticing what was already beautiful.”<\/p>\n
I smiled.<\/p>\n
“That’s actually lovely.”<\/p>\n
“He gave me my first camera when I was fifteen. I suppose I’ve been trying to see the world the way he did ever since.”<\/p>\n
For the first time, I realized how little I knew about the man I had hired to play my boyfriend.<\/p>\n
He asked about my work, too. I told him I was an architect, although I had recently been struggling with a major project because my confidence had taken a serious hit after the breakup.<\/p>\n
Daniel had always made me feel that my achievements were somehow less impressive than his.<\/p>\n
Ethan listened without interrupting.<\/p>\n
“Do you actually enjoy your work?” he asked.<\/p>\n
“I used to.”<\/p>\n
“Then perhaps you should try remembering why you started.”<\/p>\n
I looked down at my drink.<\/p>\n
It was such a simple suggestion, but nobody had asked me that question in months.<\/p>\n
On the fourth evening, Ethan suggested we attend a small outdoor music festival near the beach.<\/p>\n
I hesitated because I knew Daniel and Vanessa were likely to be there.<\/p>\n
“Why does everything have to be about them?” Ethan asked.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t.”<\/p>\n
“Then let’s go because we want to.”<\/p>\n
I eventually agreed.<\/p>\n
The festival was beautiful. Strings of lights hung between palm trees, local musicians performed on a small wooden stage, and people danced barefoot in the sand.<\/p>\n
Ethan bought us two drinks and pulled me toward the crowd.<\/p>\n
“I don’t dance,” I protested.<\/p>\n
“Excellent. Neither do I.”<\/p>\n
“Then why are you dragging me out there?”<\/p>\n
“Because we’re both terrible, and that’s much more entertaining.”<\/p>\n
I laughed as he took my hand.<\/p>\n
We danced badly, stepped on each other’s feet, and nearly collided with an elderly couple who seemed considerably more coordinated than we were.<\/p>\n
At some point, I noticed Daniel standing near the bar.<\/p>\n
He was watching us.<\/p>\n
For once, I didn’t feel the need to perform.<\/p>\n
I simply smiled at Ethan and continued dancing.<\/p>\n
Later, we walked along the beach, away from the music and the crowds.<\/p>\n
The ocean was dark, and the moonlight shimmered across the water.<\/p>\n
Ethan had taken off his shoes and was carrying them in one hand.<\/p>\n
“You’re quieter tonight,” he observed.<\/p>\n
“Just thinking.”<\/p>\n
“About your ex?”<\/p>\n
I shook my head.<\/p>\n
“Actually, about how strange this week has been.”<\/p>\n
“Strange good or strange bad?”<\/p>\n
“Both, probably.”<\/p>\n
He smiled.<\/p>\n
“Fair enough.”<\/p>\n
We continued walking until we reached a quiet stretch of sand.<\/p>\n
Then Ethan stopped.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, can I ask you something?”<\/p>\n
“Sure.”<\/p>\n
“If Daniel had never booked this holiday, would you still have come?”<\/p>\n
I considered the question.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know.”<\/p>\n
“That’s not a very encouraging answer.”<\/p>\n
“I mean it. I spent so much time thinking about what he would think that I forgot to ask myself what I wanted.”<\/p>\n
Ethan nodded slowly.<\/p>\n
“Maybe that’s something worth changing.”<\/p>\n
I looked at him.<\/p>\n
“Why are you helping me so much?”<\/p>\n
He shrugged.<\/p>\n
“Because I like making people happy.”<\/p>\n
“Even people who hire you to pretend to be their boyfriend?”<\/p>\n
“Especially those people. They clearly need help.”<\/p>\n
I laughed, but his expression remained thoughtful.<\/p>\n
Then he reached for my hand.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, I know we started this under strange circumstances. But I’ve genuinely enjoyed spending time with you.”<\/p>\n
My heart began beating faster.<\/p>\n
“I’ve enjoyed it too.”<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us moved.<\/p>\n
His eyes dropped briefly toward my lips.<\/p>\n
I could feel the distance between us disappearing.<\/p>\n
Then I stepped back.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know if I can do this.”<\/p>\n
He immediately released my hand.<\/p>\n
“That’s okay.”<\/p>\n
“It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just…”<\/p>\n
“You’re still sorting things out. I understand.”<\/p>\n
His response was so gentle that it almost made me feel worse.<\/p>\n
I had expected him to joke, complain, or try to persuade me.<\/p>\n
Instead, he simply walked beside me until we returned to the hotel.<\/p>\n
That night, I couldn’t sleep.<\/p>\n
And for the first time, I wasn’t thinking about Daniel.<\/p>\n
I was thinking about Ethan.<\/p>\n
The following morning, I found Ethan sitting on the balcony with his camera.<\/p>\n
He was reviewing photographs from the previous day.<\/p>\n
I poured myself some coffee and sat beside him.<\/p>\n
“Did you get any good pictures?”<\/p>\n
“A few.”<\/p>\n
He turned the screen toward me.<\/p>\n
There were photographs of the festival, the ocean, the musicians, and the colorful lights.<\/p>\n
Then I saw one of myself.<\/p>\n
I was laughing, my head tilted slightly backward, completely unaware that he had taken the picture.<\/p>\n
I looked genuinely happy.<\/p>\n
“That’s a nice photograph,” I said quietly.<\/p>\n
“One of my favorites.”<\/p>\n
I studied it for a moment.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think I’ve looked like that in a long time.”<\/p>\n
Ethan lowered the camera.<\/p>\n
“Maybe you just needed a reason to smile again.”<\/p>\n
I looked at him.<\/p>\n
“And maybe I found one.”<\/p>\n
He smiled, but before either of us could say anything else, his phone rang.<\/p>\n
He glanced at the screen and answered.<\/p>\n
I couldn’t hear the conversation, but I noticed his expression change.<\/p>\n
He became serious, asking several questions before ending the call.<\/p>\n
“Everything okay?” I asked.<\/p>\n
“Yeah. Just work.”<\/p>\n
He slipped the phone into his pocket.<\/p>\n
I sensed that something was bothering him, but I didn’t want to pry.<\/p>\n
Instead, I suggested we spend the afternoon exploring a nearby village.<\/p>\n
He agreed.<\/p>\n
We wandered through narrow streets, visited a little bookshop, and ate lunch at a family-run restaurant. Ethan bought a small handmade ceramic bird from a market stall, explaining that his grandmother collected them.<\/p>\n
It was such an ordinary, thoughtful gesture that I found myself smiling at him.<\/p>\n
Then, while we were walking back toward the resort, he suddenly stopped.<\/p>\n
“There’s something I should tell you.”<\/p>\n
My stomach tightened.<\/p>\n
“What?”<\/p>\n
He looked uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been offered a photography assignment.”<\/p>\n
“That’s wonderful!”<\/p>\n
“Not exactly. It’s a three-month project in another country. I would have to leave almost immediately.”<\/p>\n
I tried to hide my disappointment.<\/p>\n
“Well, that’s exciting. Congratulations.”<\/p>\n
“I haven’t accepted it yet.”<\/p>\n
“Why not?”<\/p>\n
He looked at me.<\/p>\n
“Because I wasn’t sure what was happening here.”<\/p>\n
I didn’t know what to say.<\/p>\n
The truth was that I had begun imagining what it might be like to see him after the vacation. To have coffee together, go on actual dates, and get to know him without pretending.<\/p>\n
But I had no idea whether he wanted any of that.<\/p>\n
Before I could respond, we heard someone calling my name.<\/p>\n
It was Daniel.<\/p>\n
He approached us, looking unusually serious.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, can we talk privately?”<\/p>\n
Ethan glanced at me.<\/p>\n
I nodded.<\/p>\n
“Go ahead,” he said. “I’ll wait over there.”<\/p>\n
Daniel led me toward a quieter section of the walkway.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been thinking,” he began.<\/p>\n
“About what?”<\/p>\n
“Us.”<\/p>\n
I folded my arms.<\/p>\n
“There is no us, Daniel.”<\/p>\n
He ignored my comment.<\/p>\n
“Seeing you with Ethan has made me realize something. I don’t think I appreciated what we had.”<\/p>\n
I almost laughed.<\/p>\n
“You mean you didn’t appreciate it when you were busy dating Vanessa?”<\/p>\n
His expression tightened.<\/p>\n
“Things were complicated.”<\/p>\n
“No, they weren’t. You made a choice.”<\/p>\n
He looked down briefly.<\/p>\n
“I know I hurt you. But I still care about you, Sophie.”<\/p>\n
I stared at him.<\/p>\n
For months, I had imagined hearing those words. I had pictured myself smiling triumphantly, making him regret everything, and perhaps even considering whether we could start over.<\/p>\n
But standing there, listening to him, I felt strangely empty.<\/p>\n
“Why now?” I asked.<\/p>\n
He hesitated.<\/p>\n
“I suppose seeing you happy with someone else made me realize what I lost.”<\/p>\n
I shook my head.<\/p>\n
“That’s the problem, Daniel. You only seem to want me when you think someone else might have me.”<\/p>\n
He reached for my hand.<\/p>\n
“Please. We could talk properly. Maybe go somewhere together when we get home.”<\/p>\n
I pulled away.<\/p>\n
“I’m not interested.”<\/p>\n
His expression changed.<\/p>\n
“Is this because of Ethan?”<\/p>\n
I looked toward the walkway where Ethan was waiting.<\/p>\n
“Partly. But mostly because I’ve finally realized that I don’t want the relationship we had anymore.”<\/p>\n
Daniel looked genuinely surprised.<\/p>\n
For a moment, he seemed ready to argue.<\/p>\n
Then Vanessa appeared behind him.<\/p>\n
“Daniel, are you coming?”<\/p>\n
He turned toward her, visibly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
I took the opportunity to walk away.<\/p>\n
But as I approached Ethan, I noticed that he was no longer smiling.<\/p>\n
He had heard enough to understand what had happened.<\/p>\n
And suddenly, I was afraid that I had lost something far more important than the approval of my ex.<\/p>\n
That evening, Ethan was unusually quiet.<\/p>\n
He answered my questions politely but didn’t tease me or make his usual sarcastic remarks.<\/p>\n
Finally, when we returned to our room, he placed his suitcase on the bed.<\/p>\n
“What are you doing?” I asked.<\/p>\n
“Packing.”<\/p>\n
My stomach dropped.<\/p>\n
“Why?”<\/p>\n
He looked at me.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s better if I leave tomorrow.”<\/p>\n
I stared at him.<\/p>\n
“Did I do something wrong?”<\/p>\n
“No.”<\/p>\n
“Then why are you leaving?”<\/p>\n
He sighed.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, I came here because you offered me a job. We agreed that this was temporary. You wanted to make Daniel jealous, and I helped you do that. Now you’ve had your conversation with him, and it seems you’ve finally moved on.”<\/p>\n
I stepped closer.<\/p>\n
“That’s not why I want you to stay.”<\/p>\n
He looked away.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want to become somebody’s rebound.”<\/p>\n
The words stung because I understood exactly what he meant.<\/p>\n
“I know how this started,” I said quietly. “But what happened between us wasn’t part of the arrangement.”<\/p>\n
He remained silent.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t supposed to enjoy your company this much. I wasn’t supposed to look forward to breakfast with you or wonder what you’re thinking when you go quiet. And I certainly wasn’t supposed to feel this miserable at the thought of you leaving.”<\/p>\n
He sat on the edge of the bed.<\/p>\n
“Sophie, I like you. More than I expected to. But I don’t want you choosing me just because Daniel hurt you.”<\/p>\n
I sat beside him.<\/p>\n
“Then don’t let me choose you for that reason.”<\/p>\n
He looked at me.<\/p>\n
“I want to get to know you when we’re not pretending. I want to see you again when there’s no audience, no performance, and no ex-boyfriend standing around waiting for a reaction.”<\/p>\n
A small smile appeared on his face.<\/p>\n
“That sounds considerably more complicated than our original agreement.”<\/p>\n
“It probably is.”<\/p>\n
“And what about my photography assignment?”<\/p>\n
“Take it.”<\/p>\n
He blinked.<\/p>\n
“What?”<\/p>\n
“Take the job, Ethan. I don’t want you giving up something important because of me. If we genuinely want to see each other, we can figure out how to do that.”<\/p>\n
For several seconds, he simply studied my face.<\/p>\n
Then he laughed softly.<\/p>\n
“You really are different from what I expected.”<\/p>\n
“Is that good?”<\/p>\n
“I haven’t decided yet.”<\/p>\n
I pushed his shoulder.<\/p>\n
He caught my hand.<\/p>\n
And this time, when he leaned toward me, I didn’t pull away.<\/p>\n
Our kiss was gentle at first, almost hesitant. Then he smiled against my lips, and I laughed.<\/p>\n
It wasn’t a dramatic movie moment.<\/p>\n
There were no fireworks, no orchestra, and certainly no guarantee that everything would work out.<\/p>\n
But it felt honest.<\/p>\n
And that was more than I had experienced in a very long time.<\/p>\n
The remainder of our vacation passed differently.<\/p>\n
We stopped worrying about where Daniel and Vanessa might be. We explored the coastline, visited little restaurants, and spent long afternoons talking about our lives.<\/p>\n
Ethan eventually accepted the photography assignment.<\/p>\n
It meant we would have to spend some time apart, but we agreed to stay in touch and see where things went.<\/p>\n
On our final evening, we sat on the balcony overlooking the ocean.<\/p>\n
Ethan was editing photographs while I read a book.<\/p>\n
Every few minutes, he would show me a picture and ask what I thought.<\/p>\n
Eventually, he turned his camera toward me.<\/p>\n
“One last photograph.”<\/p>\n
I covered my face.<\/p>\n
“Absolutely not. I look terrible.”<\/p>\n
“That’s exactly what people say before taking their best photograph.”<\/p>\n
I lowered my hands.<\/p>\n
He took the picture.<\/p>\n
“Show me.”<\/p>\n
He turned the screen toward me.<\/p>\n
It was another photograph of me laughing.<\/p>\n
This time, I knew he was taking it.<\/p>\n
I looked at the picture for a long moment.<\/p>\n
“Keep that one,” I said.<\/p>\n
“Planning to become famous?”<\/p>\n
“No. I just want to remember this.”<\/p>\n
He smiled.<\/p>\n
“Me too.”<\/p>\n
When we returned home, Ethan left for his assignment a few days later.<\/p>\n
We didn’t rush into promises or make dramatic declarations about forever. Instead, we started with phone calls, messages, and occasional video chats across different time zones.<\/p>\n
Sometimes we argued about silly things. Sometimes we went an entire day without speaking because of work. But we kept making an effort.<\/p>\n
Three months later, Ethan returned.<\/p>\n
He had a new collection of photographs, several exciting opportunities, and a small gift for me: a framed photograph of the Portuguese coastline.<\/p>\n
On the back, he had written:<\/p>\n
For the woman who taught me that the best journeys are rarely the ones we plan.<\/p>\n
I laughed when I read it.<\/p>\n
“That’s terribly sentimental.”<\/p>\n
“I know. I nearly threw it away.”<\/p>\n
I put the photograph on my shelf.<\/p>\n
Then I kissed him.<\/p>\n
A year later, we returned to Portugal together.<\/p>\n
This time, there was no elaborate plan, no staged romance, and no reason to check whether Daniel was watching.<\/p>\n
We spent our days exploring, taking photographs, and arguing over which restaurant served the best seafood.<\/p>\n
On our final night, Ethan surprised me with a reservation at a small restaurant overlooking the ocean.<\/p>\n
As we finished dinner, he reached across the table and took my hand.<\/p>\n
“Do you remember why we came here the first time?”<\/p>\n
“Because I was heartbroken and apparently had terrible decision-making skills.”<\/p>\n
He laughed.<\/p>\n
“That’s one way to describe it.”<\/p>\n
I smiled.<\/p>\n
“I wanted someone to make my ex jealous. I thought that would somehow prove I was worth loving.”<\/p>\n
“And now?”<\/p>\n
I looked at him.<\/p>\n
“Now I know I never needed to prove that to anyone.”<\/p>\n
He squeezed my hand.<\/p>\n
“Good answer.”<\/p>\n
I had spent so much of my life measuring my happiness by other people’s reactions. I wanted Daniel to regret losing me because I had mistaken his approval for proof of my worth.<\/p>\n
But the greatest surprise of that vacation wasn’t that my ex wanted me back. It wasn’t even that a stranger had become someone important to me.<\/p>\n
It was discovering that I could be happy without winning anyone’s attention.<\/p>\n
Ethan hadn’t rescued me from heartbreak. He hadn’t magically fixed my insecurities or made every difficult day disappear. He had simply given me room to rediscover the person I had been before I started believing I wasn’t enough.<\/p>\n
And perhaps that was the most beautiful part of all.<\/p>\n
The vacation I had booked to make someone regret leaving me became the beginning of a life in which I no longer cared whether he regretted it.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the best revenge isn’t making someone wish they had kept you.<\/p>\n
It’s reaching a point where you wouldn’t go back, even if they begged.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The first rule of a revenge vacation was never to fall for the person helping you get revenge. Unfortunately, nobody had thought to mention that to me before I booked a week at a luxury seaside resort with a man whose last name I barely knew. At the time, I had convinced myself it was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":39429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tales"],"yoast_head":"\n