Chapter 8
The breakup happened so fast, I forgot to kick him out.
Sure enough, the second I walked through the door, Lincoln popped up in the chat.
[Mon, what are you doing? Nina and I just had a little argument. She’s being immature, but you’re supposed to be the adults here-why are you acting just as childish?]
[People say you should help couples work things out, not break them up. So why are you all adding fuel to the fire?]
[Who was that guy at dinner? Who gave him permission to go to your house?]
[Did anyone consider MY feelings? Did anyone respect MY emotions?]
[Fine, Nina can hire an actor to piss me off-but are you all seriously this addicted to the act? Letting any random nobody into your house?]
Then he tagged me specifically.
[@Nina, we’ve been together for so many years. Playing hard to get is getting old, don’t you think?]
[Just come back already!]
[Oh, and I have an event tomorrow. Where did you put my blue striped tie?]
The second Lincoln showed up, he got torn apart.
My aunts, uncles, cousins-everyone came for him.
My hot-headed cousin even threatened to beat him up in person.
My mom, naturally, led the charge.
[Lincoln Sterling, you piece of TRASH!]
[Forget being my son-in-law-you don’t deserve it!!]
[Nina’s getting married! Stop harassing my daughter and ruining her happiness!]
The chat descended into chaos. I just kicked Lincoln out of the group.
A few minutes later, my phone rang.
15:58
‘You’ll Regret Leaving Me!’-Poor Thing. You Still Think You Matter? I Already Married Better!
5.4%
Chapter 8
Unknown number.
Of course. Lincoln calling from a burner.
“Nina, blocking me AND kicking me out of the group? Are you serious?”
“I slept with Chelsea ONE time. She took Plan B. She’s not gonna get pregnant. Why are you being so unreasonable?”
“Cheating isn’t a crime! I’ll never do it again, okay? Isn’t that enough?”
He sighed.
“I know I haven’t been paying enough attention to you lately. We’ve been together so long, I got a little numb.”
“I’m apologizing, okay? Just come back. I need you.”
“The truth is, I know those other women are just after my money. You’re the only one who actually cares about me as a
person.”
So he knew all along.
But even knowing that, he deliberately hurt me. Went out looking for thrills.
Did he just assume that no matter what, I’d never leave him?
“Lincoln, we’re done. This isn’t an act. And I’m not playing hard to get. Not throwing a tantrum.”
“Also I don’t want your apology.”
My tone was so serious, it finally sank in. He believed me.
His voice started shaking. But he still tried to save face.
“Nina… you’re gonna regret this!”
“Did you forget about our seven years together?”
I closed my eyes and thought about it.
Time flies.
Seven years passed in the blink of an eye,
Those were my best years. My youth. My prime. The most vibrant time of my life as a woman.
I smiled.
19:58
‘You’ll Regret Leaving Me!’-Poor Thing. You Still Think You Matter? I Already Married Better!
5.6%
Chapter 8
“How could I not regret it?”
“Then why are you-”
“If I leave now, I’ll regret wasting seven years. If I stay? I’ll regret wasting my entire life.”
I hang up.
Over the next few weeks, Maverick asked me out almost every day.
Shopping, dinner, movies.
He introduced me to his friends and family.
Did everything he could to match my tastes and preferences.
Honestly, he really was a good guy. I mean, a great guy.
But I just didn’t feel the spark.
It was like spending months writing a 100,000-word novel.
Then losing the manuscript before you could publish it.
Now someone’s asking you to rewrite it.
Even though you still have the outline.
Even though you know the story inside and out.
You just… don’t want to pick up the pen.
It’s exhaustion. Deep in your soul.
After seven years tangled up with Lincoln, it was so hard to throw myself into a new relationship.
Not because Lincoln was so great,
But because I’d spent everything I had on him.
“Maverick, maybe we should just be friends? I’m really not ready for dating or marriage. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
I apologized sincerely.
I really had tried.
‘You’ll Regret Leaving Me!’-Poor Thing. You Still Think You Matter? I Already Married Better!
5.8%
Chapter 8
I wanted to make my mom happy. Make Maverick happy. Make my family stop worrying.
But I just couldn’t do it. I had nothing left to give.
“It’s okay. I can wait.”
Maverick didn’t look disappointed at all. Just sincere.
“That’s not fair to you. I’m not that great!”
“Nina, loving you is my business. Accepting me is yours. Let’s not interfere with each other’s choices, okay?”
We were standing at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change.
The moon was bright tonight. His eyes were brighter.
I felt my heart skip a beat. But I couldn’t look him in the eye.
Just then-
“WATCH OUT!”
Maverick lunged forward and shoved me out of the way with his whole body.
I fell hard.
And he was hit-launched into the air by a speeding motorcycle.
Under the pale moonlight, his blood painted the air red-like crimson rain falling from the sky.
(0)
(0
