Part 3/7:
After Lauren’s request for a break, Taylor began to notice various signs indicating that something was amiss. Despite the pretense of taking a hiatus for self-discovery, he observed her acting oddly, frequently texting a male co-worker and keeping vague about her plans. The situation escalated when a friend sent Taylor a screenshot of Lauren appearing overly cozy with her male colleague at a bar.
It became increasingly clear: the “time apart” was merely a cover for Lauren to pursue another relationship. Such actions left Taylor feeling blindsided. The break, it seemed, was not anchored in genuine need for self-exploration but rather an attempt to keep her options open while conveniently hedging her bets on Taylor.