A week later, I threw a little get-together at my place. Casual invite, nothing fancy. I made sure to include his friends in the guest list.
Ryan showed up, looking confused—but curious.
The room was decorated with black and gold balloons. A glittery banner hung across the wall, reading:
“Congrats on Going Bald!”
A cake sat in the center of the room. Frosted carefully in white and gold, it read:
“Manifesting It Early!”
His jaw hit the floor.
“You think this is funny?!” he snapped.
I smiled. “Didn’t you?”
He stormed out before anyone else could speak. The room went quiet—until a few of his friends burst out laughing. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought his ‘positive vibes’ had crossed the line.
Sometimes Liberation Wears Glitter
He handed me a drink and said, “That was the best comeback I’ve seen in a long time.”
Then he paused, met my eyes, and added, “For what it’s worth… I always thought you deserved better.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Better than a fake career celebration followed by gaslighting and ego?”
He grinned. “Better than a guy who makes a joke out of the things that matter to you most.”
Before he left, he asked me out.
I said, “Only if you promise not to fake-celebrate my career—or my hairline.”
He laughed. “Deal.”
What I Thought Would Be a Proposal… Was Actually My Freedom
Instead, I discovered something far more valuable: clarity.
Clarity that love shouldn’t make you feel small. That jokes aren’t harmless when they mock your hurt. That standing up for yourself might feel terrifying—but it also feels like coming home to who you truly are.
So no, Ryan didn’t propose.
But I said “yes” to myself.
And that’s a commitment I’ll never regret.
