Chapter Two

Valerie's POV

"I don't deserve this". My voice cracked as I pressed my face into my bestfriend's shoulder.

"It's not your fault, I promise," she said, dabbing my eyes with tissue paper.

I pull myself to sit straight and face her,  "You don't understand, Sarah," I sniffled, "My parents are expecting me to show up with my man at Gina's wedding. Too bad that won't be happening."

"Don't worry, there's still time for us to figure something out", Sarah said reassuringly.

I gave her a quizzical look.

"You have to trust trust me, Val", she pleaded

After a long pause, I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding. But the weight on my chest was still there.

"Can you believe Damian accused me of pressuring him to marry me," I sobbed, clenching a throw pillow so tight my knuckles turned white.

"I have never even brought up the M word since we started dating thirteen months ago", I lamented

But maybe I have. Maybe it was the way I looked at engagement rings while we walked past store windows. Or the way I talked about Gina's wedding with a little too much excitement. Was I pressuring him? No…I was just expressing myself.

"That man does not deserve you", Sarah said, Then she tilted my chin, holding my gaze before continuing,  "any man who cannot stay with you and choose you over his insecurities, was never meant for you...okay?"

I nodded slowly and without permission fresh tears flowed freely from my eyes.

Sarah handed me another tissue to wipe my tears.

"Thank you", I  managed, leaning into her open arms for a comforting hug.

After what felt like an eternity of sleep, I finally stirred awake. The square clock on the wall read exactly nine o’clock. I was cocooned in a warm blanket, my head still heavy from the painkillers I had taken earlier—my relentless sobs had pounded into a dull, aching headache.

“I need to go home,” I mutter under my breath, pushing myself up on shaky legs.

Sarah had done enough and I didn't want to be one more thing she had to worry about. I picked my purse from the bedside table and made my way downstairs. As I descended I heard loud laughter and an unfamiliar voice, it seemed Sarah had another guest. Perfect timing —I was already headed out, at least I could give them some space.

The moment I stepped into the living room, a pair of captivating brown eyes locked with mine—familiar, yet I couldn’t quite place them.

My arrival seemed to drain the laughter from the room. Both parties turned toward me, and in that instant, the resemblance clicked.

It was Jake Lloyd—my former childhood crush and older brother to my best friend.

He hadn’t just grown older—he had evolved. His once boyish charm had sharpened into something dangerously magnetic. The soft curls that used to fall carelessly over his forehead were now trimmed neatly, drawing attention to his strong jawline dusted with a hint of stubble. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing forearms that looked like they had seen the inside of a gym more times than he’d admit.

“Hey, Val.” His deep baritone rolled through the room, smooth and rich, sending an unwelcome flutter straight to my chest.

“Hello, Jake,” I managed, turning to Sarah before my composure completely cracked. “I’ll be on my way now.”

"I thought you were going to spend the night," she said, her lips curving into a small pout.

I knew she was worried and genuinely concerned about me but I needed my space. At least I needed to escape from the intoxicating presence of Jake Lloyd.

Forcing a smile, "I'll be fine, I promise—by the way you already have company," I added, tilting my head towards Jake.

"You guys know I'm right here, right?," he teased

Sarah rolled her eyes at him, "I'll see you to the door," she said, rising to her feet and leading the way and I trailed behind my best friend.

The moment I stepped into my apartment, I wanted to collapse on my bed and cry. Instead, I stood frozen in front of the mirror.

Who was this woman—mascara streaked, hair wild, and eyes swollen?

I recall looking at this mirror and feeling like the most beautiful woman in the world before going to meet Damian but I can't say the same right now.

A sound tore out of me—half scream, half sob. I grabbed a pillow and threw it across the room. Sank to the floor and curled into myself, the weight of defeat pressing down on me."

I had just one job to do—keep the man until he was ready to pop the question.

I hated that this was what my mind jumped to. That marriage — not my career, not my happiness — felt like the only thing that mattered. But that was the script I grew up with.

I had been the perfect girlfriend to Damian and I never imagined our relationship would hit a brick wall. Once again, I had disappointed my parents— especially my father.

How do I survive the judgemental stares and probing questions from my family?

The loud ringtone of my phone dragged me out of my wailing as I pulled it out from my purse. I see the caller ID— Sarah.

I scrubbed at my face like smearing the tears would erase the pain in my chest. I even forced a yawn, hoping it would mask the rasp in my voice.

"Hey Val, how's it going?", came the soothing voice from the other end.

I cleared my throat before answering, "I'm good—uh, you know—just about to take a shower", I lied.

"You're crying again", Sarah said sharply

I facepalmed.

So much for trying to keep up an act for my best friend.

"I want you to get up and take an actual shower, then go to sleep," she said, using that tone she always had when she was up to something.

"Whaa-t?", I stuttered.

"You heard me right, Val! I've found the perfect plan to save your ass at Gina's wedding", she rambled on, "all you have to do is meet me at my place tomorrow morning by eight"

"Whatever your plan is I hope it works",I responded dryly. This time I had no enthusiasm to put up an act.

"Best believe, you're not showing up to that wedding alone", Sarah added before ending the call.

Deep down I wanted to tell Sarah to let me be. That I would figure it out myself, that I didn't need fixing. But the truth was, I had nothing left to hold together on my own

As I picked up the pieces of my heart to stand up, I whispered a prayer into the silence. Whatever Sarah had planned…I just hoped it would not break me all over again