I wiped the tears from my face as I looked up at him. Pain shot through my chest as I stared. His words still wrung in my head as he paced the length of the room.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” He asked me, tensely.
I shook my head, “No. I’m not. At least not to try to make you stay. If that’s really how you feel, then there’s no way to change it. I’ll be fine. You can go and start a new life with whomever you want.” I told him.
He frowned. “Are you not going to fight for me? For us?” He asked, in disbelief.
I sighed, “If you have to make a choice between me and her. Choose her.” I replied.
He frowned, “I still love you. That will never change.” He told me.
“No, you don’t. Because if you did. You wouldn’t be making a choice. There is no competition. If I'm not your first choice then that means you never loved me like I loved you…. And that means there's nothing left for us here.” I finally said as I stood up.
“I do.” He quietly said. “Bethany… come back!” He called after me.
I made my way down the hall, holding myself together as I did. Willing and pushed back my feelings as I finally walked into the room. Reaching up to pull down my suitcases.
Without much thought I grabbed all of my clothes, folding them before I neatly stacked each clothing article inside the three suitcases—clothes, shoes, and bathroom necessities.
Once I was packed I slowly made my way over to the bedside table and grabbed the pictures of our family and friends, the one of our wedding day, and the photo album, shoving them into a tote before I made my way out of the room.
“You can’t-- You can’t just leave me like this.” He tearfully said.
“I’m not. I’m simply doing what you didn’t have the strength to do.” I calmly replied.
It took me two trips to grab everything before I slowly slid into the driver’s seat.
Without a chance to give myself a chance to second guess my decision, I backed out and made my way to Stark Tower.
***
Five Years Later:
***
It had taken all of my strength to not go back.
I divorced him, and gave him back his freedom, even if it was killing me. I moved on, even though it killed me to do so.
My brother Tony decided that some time away from home would be good for me, so a plan between him, Fury, and Pepper was born, and I ended up in Europe, on missions that kept me physically and mentally distracted.
The mission was dealing with a large group stealing suspicious amounts of ammonia, benzyl chloride, and an unknown substance.
This led me on a wild goose chase for years until a month ago, when my team and I finally set a trap for them, and sprung it.
Between my team and I, we managed to take all of the group down and into custody with little to no resistance from the group.
After debriefing Fury, and Rogers of on the mission, I finally went home to my apartment.
****
I had only been home for a few minutes when my eyes fell on an golden envelope that was laying on the ground by the door.
The crimson colored envelope caused me to frown, but the frown turned into a small smile as I read its contents.
It read:
You are cordially Invited to the nuptials. Of:
Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanov.
As I read on, there was an RSVP, along with a menu, and a personally written note.
Natasha had written it. She asked me to please attend, and to bring a friend if I wished. She really wanted to see me, and even said that Yelena would be attending as well.
I quickly texted her that I would come, looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family for whatever short amount of time it may be.
The wedding would be in a month and I found myself keeping busy in the meantime.
By the time the date was a few days away, I took a flight to New York, texting only Tony that I would be arriving soon, and to not allow anyone to know about it.
I spent the entire flight staring out the window blankly, trying not to think of the last time I was in the United States. I ran into Bucky, and he was with a girl.
It didn’t hurt, not really.
What did hurt was his indifference, but I learned to let go of things that can’t be changed.
Not really, I couldn’t allow myself to go there, not again. It would undo all the progress I had worked to get to where I am today.
I was not about to allow that to happen, even if I did run into him, I wasn’t going to allow my emotions to get the best of me. Not again.
****
As the plane landed, I banished all negative thoughts, and slowly climbed off of the plane.
I made it through baggage claim, and made my way to the exit.
Happy was waiting from me by the curb, a large smile on his face as he saw me. He immediately got off the hood of the car and made his way over to me.
“Happy.” I greeted, pulling him into a hug.
“Bethy, it’s good to see you. How’ve you been?” He asked me, as he took my bags.
I smiled at him in response, “Good. Just working, you know, the usual stuff, keeping busy.” I said as I followed him to the car.
“I’m glad you’re doing good. I’m sure Tony and Pepper will be happy to see you. So, will Morgan.” He tells me as he opens the back door and lets me slide in before closing it.
I nod in thanks before leaning my head back.
As we drove into town, I went back to staring back out the window until we reached Headquarters.
My brother was waiting for us as Happy pulled in.
I immediately got out, with a wide smile, as he walked over to where I stood.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Bee.” He said with a smile, and opened his arms for me.
I rushed to him without hesitation, hugging him fiercely as he wrapped his arms around me .
“Miss me?” He asked.
I nodded, hiding my face in his chest as he did.
“Pepper and Morgan are waiting for us back home. Come on.” He said as he nodded at Happy, while directing me to the car.
I frowned in confusion, “Home? Waiting for us? Don't you guys still live here? In one of the apartments you constructed?” I asked him, after sliding in.
He shook his head, “No, for security reasons, I bought a different property, and built a house. It's easier than looking for one.” He replied.
I hummed in response before shaking my head at him, “What about the headquarters?” I asked quietly.
He sighed, “Steve is in charge.” He replied flatly.
I hummed again, before turning to look out the window.
“The rehearsal dinner is tonight.” He informed me.
“Right… I'm not attending anything besides the wedding. I have no energy to be socializing at the moment.” I replied, flatly as Happy made a left turn, and continued up a long drive before arriving at the gates.
“I figured as much. So, I haven't told anyone of your arrival besides Pepper.” He informed me.
I gave him a grateful look, before sighing.
“You sure you're going to be okay, Bethy?” He asked, concerned.
I nodded in response, before sighing again, “Yeah. It's been five years, Tony. I'll survive.” I stated.
He eyes me with concern, a disbelieving look flashing in his eyes for a second before he sighs. “Right. I suppose the chair to your hair is something that you just randomly decided would be a good idea?” He inquired.
I snickered, “The blonde hair kept giving me away. I had to blend in.” I replied as we got out of the car.
He sighed, “It looks very becoming on you.” He told me, smiling.
I scoffed, “You don't need to lie.” I said, smacking his arm as he led me up the stairs.
He smiled, “I mean it. You look nice. Now, we actually look like siblings.” He replied amused, causing me to laugh.
“Right. Let's go see Pep and Morgan.” I told him, pushing him inside.
***
Once inside, he led me down a wide hallway, and into a large living room.
“Stay here, I'll tell Pepper you're here.” He said.
The moment he disappeared, I moved to sit down on the massive couch.
Leaning my head back and closing my eyes as I felt the exhaustion sink into me.