Leila told me that after I left, Zackery was really down and withdrawn for a long time.
But then, he seemed to bounce back, going back to his old ways, partying every night and living it up.
He was always surrounded by women. After all, he was the bigwig of Shanievlle’s elite scene. There were plenty of people in his world besides me.
Leila said, though, that he always looked like he had a lot on his mind. Whenever he was alone, he’d just zone out, looking kind of lost and lonely.
He texted me a few times.
Mostly, he said he used to think no woman in the world could ever love him more than his
mother did.
But after looking back on our eight years together, it hit him that I actually loved him more than his mother ever did, and I was even more forgiving.
He said it was a shame that his mother’s wish for him to get married at twenty–six wasn’t
going to come true.
He said it was all his fault, and he really regretted it.
People were so conflicted.
On one hand, they felt like love was this heavy burden that they couldn’t wait to shake off. But on the other hand, they got addicted to it, and only when it was gone did they realize just how good they had it.
After reading Zackery’s messages, I felt nothing. I just hit delete.
One time, Sebastian caught a glimpse of them, and he kept me up all night.
Sebastian told me he had his own regrets, too.
He said he just didn’t have the guts back in college.
“They say love is a game for the brave,” he said. “I tiptoed around you, was too much of a coward, and ended up missing out on you for a whole twelve years.”
He gave me those big, puppy eyes.
I leaned in and kissed his eyelids.
“Sebastian,” I said softly, “you’re anything but a coward.
1/3
00:52 Sun, 31 Aug
Chapter 10
93%1
55 vouchers
“In love, the bravest ones aren’t the ones who win it, but the ones who protect it. Thank you for being that person.”
He lit up like a little kid, clutched at his chest, mimed drawing a bow, and shot an imaginary
arrow at me.
“The arrow of love is a rose on fire,” he said.
Eventually, Sebastian and I finally ended our long–distance relationship.
He moved back to Shanievlle to work, all for me.
Since we were in the same social circle, it was hard to avoid running into Zackery.
Every single time, I’d nag Sebastian to stay out of fights if he could.
“But if he throws the first punch,” I’d add, “make sure you stand your ground. Give as good as you get. Don’t hold back.”
He was actually delighted that I could be so ruthless when it came to my ex.
Sebastian and I had our outdoor wedding just like we’d planned.
That day, I happened to catch a glimpse of Zackery, scruffy and bearded, standing in a hidden corner.
His suit was all wrinkled, and pinned to his chest was the brooch I bought for him.
As the wedding music began to play, Sebastian and I exchanged vows meant to last a lifetime.
In a hidden corner, Zackery’s fingers trembled as he reached up to touch the brooch pinned to his chest.
It made me think back to the night before, at my bachelorette party.
Leila had mentioned that one day, Zackery was freaking out, calling Yarden in a panic.
He was sure he’d had a brooch on at the party, and asked if anyone had picked it up.
Turned out, he just found it in his own pocket.
Leila sighed, “That brooch must mean a lot to him. Who knows which woman gave it to him?”
I just smiled and kept quiet. To me, it didn’t mean anything anymore.
2/3
