Part 3Three Years for a Lifetime

I threw up in the bathroom until I felt like I was going to pass out.

When I stumbled out, the first thing I saw was a tall, blurry figure standing in the shadows.

People were walking in and out of the nearby private rooms. The strobe lights flashed across his face, illuminating a storm of pure fury.

It was Caleb.

My body reacted before my brain. I turned on my heel and power-walked in the opposite direction.

I was fast, but Caleb was faster. Just as my foot hit the floor, he grabbed me hard by the back of my shoulder.

"Running the second you see me? Feeling guilty?"

He used all his strength, his grip making my shoulder throb with pain.

I tried to break free, but it was useless.

"Guilty about what?" I laughed, my voice raw. "I just don't think we have anything left to catch up on."

"Maya, you've been strutting around right under my nose all night, and now you say that? Isn't it a bit late?"

His voice was chillingly cold.

"What do you mean, strutting around right under your nose? Just because we broke up doesn't mean I can't come to a high school reunion."

I straightened my spine, turned around, and swatted his hand away.

"If that's true, then why were you hiding in the bathroom puking?"

He reached out and pinched my chin. "Did you get knocked up by some random guy, or did I just make you sick?"

The memory of him kissing another woman flashed through my mind, and my stomach violently churned again.

To avoid blowing my cover, I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek.

"I didn't eat much, so it was mostly just dry heaving," I gave him my assessment, ignoring his question.

My words made his eyes burn with anger.

"Caleb, we've been over for a long time. What exactly do you want?!"

I shoved him hard, but he pinned my wrists against the wall.

"I should be asking you that." He leaned in close. "Since you disappeared, why did you show up again?"

The disgust and loathing in his eyes were completely undisguised.

The blood in my veins turned to ice. I suddenly smiled brightly.

"What answer do you want to hear? That I can't forget you and want to get back together? Or that I regret everything and want to beg for your forgiveness?"

He didn't say anything.

He probably really wanted to hear an excuse.

"Of course it's because—"

"She came with me."

Before I could finish, a teasing male voice cut in.

A few feet away, Julian was leaning against the wall, hands casually stuffed in his pockets. I had no idea how long he'd been watching from the corner.

"Bro code dictates you don't touch your buddy's girl. Caleb, you're crossing a line."

He added calmly.

"What... what do you mean?" Caleb's voice suddenly trembled slightly.

"It means Maya is my girlfriend now."

"I'm a year older than you. What, are you the only one allowed to have a fiancée, but I can't date?"

Julian lazily rolled up his sleeves.

It was obvious that if Caleb didn't let go, he was ready to throw down.

"Are you two really... together?" Caleb's gaze shifted back to me.

Even in the dim light, his stare felt incredibly heavy.

"Do you need a French kiss as proof?" I lowered my eyes and sneered.

"Be my guest..."

Caleb let go of me, turned, and walked away.

Julian let out a sharp whistle, a sly, victorious smirk spreading across his lips.

With my facade entirely shattered, I slumped weakly against the wall, closing my eyes in exhaustion.

"I told you not to come, but you wouldn't listen. Do you consider this a self-inflicted wound?"

Julian's exasperated huff sounded in my ear.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. "There are some things that no one else can do for me."

Knowing I was going to see our old classmate who was a doctor, he had offered to ask on my behalf, but I refused.

Because I needed to hear the truth with my own ears.

"But you can fool yourself; you can't fool anyone else when it comes to feelings."

Julian stepped closer, placed one hand on the wall behind me, and looked down at me.

"Maya, I've watched over you for seven years, and you never gave me the time of day."

"Just now, when he was publicly humiliating you, I wanted to punch him, and you wouldn't even let me."

"Is he really that great? Is he really worth you agonizing over for three years after you broke up?"

Even though he was saying hurtful things, the underlying heartache in his voice was impossible to hide.

I raised my arms, wrapped them around his waist, and buried my face in his chest.

He visibly stiffened.

"Julian, some forms of protection have nothing to do with love, and life doesn't offer many chances to turn back."

"Back then, when he begged to see me, I refused. So of course my presence today is an eyesore to him."

"If he needs to curse me out to feel better, I'll take it. After all, I'm the one who needed a favor today."

I patiently explained it to him.

"Did you get the answers you wanted?" Julian sighed.

I nodded slightly.

"Then let's head back." He ruffled my hair. "I'll go get the car. Wait for me at the entrance."

"Okay." I slowly let go.

In the periphery of my vision, a figure quietly walked away...