Once the confetti settled, Eric and I settled into our cozy, everyday life. He would whip up breakfast every morning before work like a pro.
I used to dream about days like these, and then they were my reality.
However, our quiet life hit a snag when Simon showed up out of the blue.
Eric was introducing me to his buddies when, right there in our neighborhood, I spotted Simon. I wanted to just breeze by him.
However, Simon was there on a mission, waiting for me. He rushed over, trembling.
“Yoana, I finally found you. I’m here to take you home.”
He reached for my hand, but I dodged him.
Our wedding had gone viral. Anyone with a search bar on their phones could find us.
“Simon, it’s over between us. Don’t make a scene, especially with my husband right here. He’s not the jealous type, but still.”
I grabbed Eric’s hand, ready to jet.
“Yoana, you’re messing with me, right? You can’t be serious about marrying someone else when you’re so in love with me.
“I get it. You must be playing along. Okay, my bad. I’m sorry.”
Simon’s words were so outrageous, I almost cracked up. “Are you for real? Our wedding was trending online. Did you miss that?”
Simon was like a broken record.
“Are you still hung up on Sophia and I? Don’t worry, she’s history.
“No one’s going to bug you anymore. Come on. Let’s go home, please?”
Simon’s plea made me furrow my brow in frustration. “Look, I’m already married, and I adore my husband.”
However, Simon would not back off. With no other choice, I squeezed in a moment to sort that out.
“Eric, hang on a sec. I’ve got something to take care of.”
Chapter 8
+25 Bonus
I dragged Simon to a tree not too far away.
“Simon, what’s your deal? If you’re looking to lose it, leave me out of it, okay? I’m married to Eric now. Please stop bothering me!”
I laid it out for him, dead serious.
However, Simon’s eyes welled up, and he stammered, “Yoana, you didn’t… The baby… You’re lying, right? I can’t believe it! I won’t believe any of it!”
‘Don’t believe it then. People change. Nobody’s willing to stand still and get hurt waiting for you,‘ I thought.
“Simon, listen and listen good—I did it, the baby’s gone. Besides, I haven’t loved you in forever. What’s more, what right do you even have to hold onto me?”
He was not my boyfriend or fiance, so what was he? A stranger I used to know?
He froze when he heard me, tears spilling over.
He babbled, trying to explain, “No, that’s not it. You’re my girlfriend. Yoana, I’ve gone public with us in my friend circle, we can be out in the
open now.”
How absurd. What was the point after I have moved on?
I was still impatient, not a shred of sympathy in sight.
Then, he pulled out a diamond ring, all flustered.
“Yoana, look, I’m proposing,
He had officially lost it.
“Simon, I’m married, got it? Mart
Say yes, please.”
I don’t love you! Do you hear me loud and clear? Don’t you dare bother me again.”
I did not want to drag it out since Eric was waiting.
“Let’s just move on and live our lives, okay?” I concluded.
I let out a heavy sigh, ready to walk away.
However, Simon was not ready to let go.
“Yoana, look, I’ve deleted all of Sophia’s numbers!”
He waved his phone at me, thumb flicking across the screen.
“I promise, no more making you jealous, deal?”
Simon sounded so tentative, like he was walking on eggshells.
However, honestly, I could not care less about who he erased from his phone.
“Simon, we had our time, but it’s done. Please just let it be and stay out of my life.”
My words were final, and Simon just crumpled to the ground, muttering to himself, finally burying his face in his hands and sobbing.
I did not give him another glance. I turned on my heel and walked away, not once looking back.
I smiled brightly as I ran up to Eric, looping my arm through his, and we strolled down the path ahead.
Out of nowhere, the sky opened up, and plump raindrops started to fall. Eric popped open an umbrella and held it over us.
We walked under the shelter of the umbrella, our feet splashing in the rain, savoring the simple, everyday kind of happiness.
Through it all, I never once looked back.
