16
Some days had passed since that night, and I couldn’t scroll through my phone without seeing clips of the chaos at the party plastered all over social media.
The party video had become the scandal of the month. Social media buzzed with posts dissecting every n moment and analyzing everything.
It trended for weeks, with strangers amused at what I did. For the first time in years, Astrid felt a small, flickering sense of justice.
Comments flooded in, with most people firmly on my side to validate my feelings. For the first time in years, I felt
satisfied.
Ash’s parents had already severed ties with him and Kate. Word had spread that they wanted nothing to do with
either of them. Good. They deserved better than the mess their son and his so–called wife had created
As for Kate, she had the audacity to show up at the hospital and even my house, probably to beg or manipulate me further. I didn’t care to find out. I ignored her entirely and filed a restraining order, barring her from coming anywhere near my mother
And then there was Ash.
He kept messaging, calling, and pleading for me to meet him. Every time my phone buzzed with his name, a pang of irritation mixed with something else I couldn’t quite name. I ignored him at first. After everything, what could he possibly say that I hadn’t already heard or dismissed? But Ash being Ash, he didn’t stop.
Eventually, I gave in.
As soon as I walked into the café, Ash looked up at me from his seat, his eyes red and puffy, and I could tell he
hadn’t been sleeping Good
I walked up to me and didn’t even bother to sit down
“Be quick,” I said flatly, crossing my arms
He opened his mouth to say something, but before a single word left his lips, he dropped to his knees in front of me. Right there, in the middle of the cafe, with everyone watching
“Astrid,” he choked, tears streaming down his face. “I’m sorry I’m so sorry for everything.”
I stared down at him, unmoved. “What are you doing. Ash? Stand up. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
But he didn’t move. Instead, he clasped his hands together as if he was praying and looked up at me, his face drenched in regret.
“I regretted it the day I chose Kate over you,” he cried.
“When the kidnappers asked me to decide… I was a coward, I was a fool. I didn’t realize it until it was too late.”
I silently watched him.
“But, Astrid, my life has been hell ever since. I chose Kate but she’s been having affairs, and I knew. I knew, but! was too ashamed to admit I’d made the wrong choice. And now I’m here, begging you to forgive me. To come back. Please…” he begged.
A laugh bubbled out of me, bitter and sharp. “Come back? To you? Ash, are you even hearing yourself?”
“I know I don’t deserve you,” he whispered, still on his knees. “But I can’t live like this anymore. I can’t live knowing how much I hurt you. I’m begging you, Astrid. Please, let me make it right. I’ll do anything.”
I shook my head, smirking coldly. “Oh, Ash. You really think this is about forgiveness, don’t you? I don’t care about it anymore, I’m glad knowing that you got punished for what you did to me.”
He looked up at me, his face crumbling further. “Astrid, ”
“Stop!” I interrupted. “Do you want to know how I really feel? I feel satisfied.”
His eyes widened, confusion flickering across his face.
“Yes, satisfied,” I continued. “Satisfied to know that karma finally caught up to you. That you’re getting a taste of
the pain you put me through. But do you know what else I feel? Nothing. Absolutely nothing for you.”
Ash’s shoulders slumped, his hands falling to his sides. “I deserve that,” he murmured
“You do,” I said. “And let me make this perfectly clear if you try to contact me again, if you so much as look in my
direction, I will call the police and make sure you never bother me again.”
I turned on my heel and walked out of the café, leaving him kneeling there on the cold, tiled floor.
For the first time in years, I felt a strange, unfamiliar sense of peace. I didn’t need his apologies. I didn’t need his
regret
I had already moved on! I really did mine on
I felt a wave of happiness and freedom wash over me, a feeling I hadn’t had in so long. The years of pain, betrayal, and heartbreak were finally behind me. Now, all I wanted was for my mom to wake up, to see her smile again, and to introduce her to the person who had become such a crucial part of my life. Enzo.
I smiled softly y as I kissed my phone, the image of him flashing in my mind. I missed him more than I could put
into words
Enzo wasn’t just my psychologist anymore. He was so much more. He had been there through the darkest moments of my life, helping me find my way out. And along the way, we had fallen in love and I couldn’t wait to introduce him to my mom.
Tomorrow was the day, my mom’s surgery. I had to hold onto hope that everything would go smoothly.
The next day, I sat with Seth and dad in the hospital, anxiously pacing back and forth. Time seemed to crawl as we waited for the doctor’s update. But then, the doctor walked in, his face calm, and my heart skipped a beat
I felt a weight lifted off my chest.
Another year passed like that. I had to extend my stay, but every day that passed was one more day of healing for my mom and me.
A month ago, my mom woke
the happiest moments of my life.
. It had been a gradual process, but seeing her open her eyes again was one of
That’s when I realized, so much had happened, finding peace within myself, healing, and even allowing someone else in my life again. Enzo had come here under the guise of a research program, and for six months now. We had so much time to spend together.
With Enzo? It felt right, like we were meant to be in each other’s lives. Like we were made for each other. We just hadn’t met sooner.
“Are you packed?” Enzo’s voice broke my thoughts, and I looked up to see him standing beside me, a soft smile on his face. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm embrace
I nodded, feeling the sense of calm in his presence. “Almost. Just a few last things.”
He kissed me softly on the forehead, his fingers gently brushing through my hair. “Tomorrow’s the day, huh? I know this has been a long journey, but it was finally here.”
I smiled, looking into his eyes, filled with the love I had longed for. “Yes, tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s finally happening I kissed him then, a deep one.
Tomorrow, we were going to leave. I had already planned to move to his city and be with him. I was going to start my new life in a new city with a new person.
I beamed a smile.
I was looking forward to it. Starting a new life with someone else, with Enzo, and our beautiful angel? That would
be beautiful.
I giggled, and kissed him again. I’m going to give him a surprise when we return back to the city. I’m pregnant.
This time, I knew Enzo was the one for me. My forever.