Chapter 10

The slap wasn't hard, but it froze Alexander in place, like he was made of stone. He stood there, completely still, as if he couldn't grasp the fact that I could really let go of seven years of love.

Had I ever even loved him? How could I not have? Everyone who knew us, friends, coworkers, family, would have said I was crazy about him. Hell, he believed, down to his core, that as long as he didn't mention breaking up, I'd always be by his side. He was so sure of it.

But here we were.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard myself asking Jason if he was okay. I glanced at him, and as he gently squeezed my hand, he asked if I was hurt. Alexander clenched his fists, his eyes wild with anger. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Rachel!" he shouted, voice cracking. "I'm the man you loved for seven years! How can you throw me away for some outsider?!"

I couldn't help but laugh. It was a bitter, almost mocking laugh. "Alexander, how many times do I need to say this? I, Rachel, don't want you anymore."

As I turned to leave, still holding Jason's hand, I saw tears welling up in Alexander's eyes. His voice cracked as he called out my name, his heart breaking in the sound.

"Rachel!!!"

His grip on my wrist was gentle, almost like he was still holding on, but I didn't stop. I didn't turn around.

He looked at me, defeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I shouldn't have touched your friend. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'll do anything, just please… tell me you'll give me a chance. I swear, I don't love Olivia."

Olivia, still crying, crawled toward him, but as soon as she reached him, he cruelly shoved her away, his foot grinding into her face as he kicked her to the side.

"Rachel," he pleaded, "I'll fire Olivia. I can make her disappear. I'll do whatever it takes. I won't hire any more female assistants. Just… just give me one more chance."

I sighed, tired of the drama, and shook my head. "You don't need to say any of that. I really don't care."

He paused, as if my words had hit him harder than anything else. He shook his head slowly, his voice trembling as he tried once more.

"Rachel, I know you care. You're just disappointed in me. But I've learned, I've changed. Please, just give me one more chance."

I looked him dead in the eyes. "Alexander, I'll say it one last time. We're done."

Without a second glance, I walked back to the private room with Jason, acting like nothing had happened. We went on with the party, like everything was normal, as if Alexander's world hadn't just come crashing down.

Two months later, late one night, my phone rang from an unfamiliar number. It was Alexander. His voice, thick with alcohol, was slurred but strangely calm as he asked, "Rachel, was there ever a child between us?"

I knew exactly what this was about. He must've found the hospital records I never took with me. But I had nothing to hide, so I just answered him, flatly.

"Yes, Alexander, there was. But honestly, it's for the best that it's gone. You've always hated being tied down anyway."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, then a click. The call ended without another word.

Later that year, I heard from a former colleague that Alexander had been in a drunk driving accident and was now in a vegetative state. His parents, despite the slim chances of him ever waking up, were pouring all their money into his treatment.

Jason noticed me staring at my phone one night, his voice warm and concerned as he came out of the bathroom. "What's going on? Did my sister send you some insane gossip again?"

I put my phone down, forcing a smile. "Nah, nothing. By the way, don't ever book this place again. It's way overpriced for what it is. Next time, let's just do hot pot."

Jason took my hand, pressing a kiss to my slightly cold fingers. "Sounds good to me. Whatever you want."

As we stepped out of the restaurant, the first snow of the season began to fall. Jason, noticing I was cold, quickly draped his coat over my shoulders. He then pulled out a fresh bouquet of flowers, standing under the streetlight like he was in a movie.

His nose red from the cold, he said, a little shy, "They say if you confess your love on the first snow, you'll be together forever."

I didn't exactly believe in forever, but I smiled and took the flowers, then threw myself into his warm embrace. "Alright," I said softly, feeling the warmth of the moment.

For once, I wasn't worried about the future. I was just happy in the here and now. And for that moment, that was more than enough.