Chapter 3

Claire's wedding was held at her father's hotel.

It was the first time I'd been back in the city in over five years.

Even though I'd been out of prison for half a year now, I still felt uneasy in crowded places.

"Thea, relax," Claire said, giving me a friendly pat on the shoulder. I forced a dry smile and waved her off, gesturing for her to go ahead and mingle.

Soon, the guests began taking their seats. I realized that the whole table was filled with my college classmates, yet no one seemed to recognize me.

Then Sean walked in, hand-in-hand with the beautiful girl from the other day. His entrance turned heads before they even sat down.

"Well, well, looks like Mr. Parker's about to get hitched, huh?"

He didn't even try to hide it, proudly holding Sophie's hand, his eyes scanning the room. When he spotted me, he gave me a smile and a casual nod.

"That's right. When Sophie and I get married, you'll all have to come drink to our happiness."

So her name was Sophie.

I lowered my head, wishing I could just vanish into the floor.

All I could do was shrink into the background, hoping no one would notice me.

But Sophie did.

"Hey, aren't you the girl who did my nails the other day?"

Her voice rang out, and suddenly, all eyes were on me.

Finally, someone recognized me.

"Is that really you... Thea Brown?"

I nodded slightly, still not daring to lift my gaze.

The person who spoke slapped their thigh in disbelief.

"It is you! But... what happened? You used to be so pretty, and now... well, you look like you haven't eaten in weeks!"

I forced a smile, but the sting of those words cut deep. I didn't know how to respond.

Then some of Sean's old friends, the ones who'd always had a sharp tongue, couldn't resist.

"Well, well, Thea, looks like karma's caught up with you. We hadn't heard a word from you in years. Thought you'd died in the pandemic or something."

Their words hit me like cold water, but I kept quiet. Compared to the misery I'd gone through in prison, this was nothing.

And it wasn't even about me anymore. This was Claire's wedding, and I couldn't let her get dragged into any of this.

So I just focused on my plate, barely touching my food, trying to remain as invisible as possible.

But Sean wasn't finished. He leaned over and served Sophie some dishes, all while taking another shot at me.

"Thea, not used to good ol' American food after being overseas for so long?"

I finished the last bite, numb to everything. Setting my fork down gently, I stood up.

"Please, enjoy your meal. I have to leave early."

I scanned the room as I stood, but no one's eyes met mine. Not a single person noticed.

I hurried out without a word to Claire or a chance to return Sean's money.

But just as I stepped outside, I felt a hand grab my arm.

Sean had somehow beaten me to the exit.

Without a word, he dragged me into a quiet corner, his face dark like a storm waiting to break.

"Thea Brown, what's your game? Didn't you say you were leaving for the good life? Why the hell are you back now?"

I stood there, speechless, caught off guard by the intensity of his anger.

"They were right," he said, his voice rising. "This is what you get for abandoning me."

"Are you jealous? I'm successful now. I've got money, I've got a beautiful girlfriend."

He leaned in, his eyes burning.

"Most importantly, she loves me. She won't just walk away like you did. You're the one who got left behind."

His words crashed into me like an avalanche, one after another, suffocating me with the weight of his bitterness.

Just as I thought I might suffocate, Claire appeared, breathless, standing between us.

"Sean, what the hell are you doing? Do you even know—"

"Claire!" I interrupted, panic flooding me.

I shoved the money I'd been holding into Sean's hand and quickly pulled Claire away, turning to leave before I could stop myself.

I couldn't let him know.

Some things were better left buried forever.