Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Serve - Sever - Veers - Verse (08/14/25)
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TITLE: When Vows Break | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marilyn Meiners
08/18/25 -
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"Coming!" the twins answered in unison, their voices full of the morning rush.
Stephanie glanced at her children—Timothy, and Tammy—each with their own personality but always in sync when it mattered. She had them later in life, and though Jack never said it, she knew the twins were his pride, just as they were hers.
“Mom, you comin’ to my game today?” Timothy asked as he stuffed a piece of toast into his mouth.
"You bet, son. I'll see if your dad can come too."
“Yeah, right,” Timothy muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tammy raised an eyebrow.
“Nothin’. It’s just... Dad never comes to my games anymore,” Timothy mumbled.
Tammy, ever the practical one, glanced at the clock. “We gotta go. Bus is coming in five.”
Stephanie smiled as the two headed out, walking side-by-side like the duo they were. A perfect picture of sibling harmony.
As she turned to go back inside, her phone rang. Jack’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hey, Jack. What’s up?”
“Steph, can you meet me today at Noire at 11:30?”
“Noire? The upscale French place? We only go there for special occasions.”
“I know. Just... be there, okay?”
“Sure, I’ll be there.”
“Good,” Jack said, before hanging up abruptly.
Stephanie stood there perplexed, wondering what was going on. “Maybe he got a promotion... finally wants to celebrate,” she thought, though something felt off. Jack wasn’t the type to call for lunch unless it was something important.
She chose her outfit with care—a green silk dress with a sweetheart neckline. She paired it with the pearl necklace Jack had given her for their first anniversary. When she was ready, she touched up her makeup and headed out, feeling a flutter of excitement. Maybe this would be a turning point in their marriage. They had been through tough times, but Jack had been working long hours. Maybe now it was all paying off.
Walking into the restaurant, her heart pounded as she spotted Jack sitting in the corner. She approached with a smile.
“Hi, this is a nice surprise,” she said, trying to read his expression.
Jack didn’t return her smile. “Yeah,” he muttered, barely looking up. “I’ve got about an hour, so let’s order.”
Stephanie’s smile faded. Something was wrong.
The waiter took their orders—then left them in an uncomfortable silence.
“How’s work?” she asked, hoping to break the tension.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Jack replied, still not looking at her.
Stephanie froze. “Oh?”
“Steph... I think you know things between us haven’t been great. The truth is, I’ve found someone else.” Jack’s words hung in the air like a punch to the gut. “I want a divorce.”
Stephanie’s fist tightened around her napkin, her mind racing. Divorce? After all they’d been through? The years, the kids, everything they’d built?
“Jack, what are you talking about?” Her voice was trembling. “I gave you eighteen years of my life. We have two kids. And now you want to sever all that for what? Some woman from work?”
“Steph, quiet down. You’re drawing stares.”
"I don't care," she snapped, her voice rising. "How could you do this, Jack? You bring me here, to this fancy restaurant, like it’s some sort of apology, but all you're doing is chopping up our marriage and throwing it away. Just like that." She snapped her fingers.
“Come on, Steph. You knew things weren’t right. It was just a matter of time before one of us left.”
“Well, I meant my vows, Jack. I was willing to fight for us, for our family. But now—what are you going to tell the kids?”
“You can tell them,” he said flatly.
Stephanie’s eyes burned with anger. “Oh no, you don’t. You severed this marriage, this family. You’ll face the kids. I’m not doing your dirty work for you.”
With that, Stephanie grabbed her wine glass, tossed the contents at Jack, and stood up.
Without another word, she walked out of the restaurant, her heart pounding in her chest.
Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do, but it felt like the only thing left to do. Her marriage might be over, but one thing was clear: her bond with her children was solid. That, at least, was something Jack couldn’t sever.
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