Chapter 5: Choosing What Hurts

Behind me, the beautiful woman threw herself into Julian’s arms, cooing, “I missed you so much, did you miss me?”

Her laughter was bright, echoing down the hallway. I glanced back, catching a glimpse of Julian’s awkward smile.

I didn’t hear Julian’s answer. A little later, I glanced back.

He looked up, meeting my gaze for a split second before turning away. The moment was gone before I could process it.

I saw the woman clinging to Julian’s arm, the two of them heading to the elevator as if joined at the hip.

They looked happy. Maybe that’s all that matters.

I looked away and forced a smile.

Fake it till you make it, right?

That night, I had a rare bout of insomnia.

I tossed and turned, the sheets twisted around my legs. The city outside was quiet, the only sound the distant wail of a siren.

Unable to sleep, I got up and stared blankly at the forget-me-nots on my dresser.

They caught the light, just like always. The blue paper petals shimmered in the moonlight, each one a promise that never faded. I reached out, tracing the edge of a flower with my fingertip.

Over the years, I moved a lot. The things Lucas left behind slowly vanished from my busy life. When I finally went looking, they were gone.

Books, letters, old ticket stubs—they all disappeared, lost to time and the chaos of moving boxes. But the flowers remained.

Just the bouquet. Still here, after everything.

They were a reminder of a love that never wilted, even as everything else changed. I smiled, just a little, and let myself remember—just for a moment—what it felt like to be seen, to be loved, and to let go.

I told myself I was over it; the flowers knew better.