Chapter 10
410words
"Is that so?"
My jaw dropped as Jason handed me a worn leather journal.
"You're skeptical because you don't understand the depth of my feelings for you."
I stood frozen, journal in hand.
Inside were pages upon pages of observations—how I needed solitude sometimes and would disappear for hours.
How other times I craved company. That cauliflower was my favorite vegetable but I despised eggs in any form.
"I know everything about you, Lily."
He was right. No one in the world knew me better than Jason did—perhaps not even myself.
We leaned toward each other, and Jason's eyes fluttered closed.
Just as our lips were about to meet, a shout shattered the moment.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Strong hands yanked us apart. Alex stood there, face contorted with rage.
"Who the fuck is this guy?"
"How is that any of your concern?"
I glared at Alex, fury building inside me.
"Of course it's my business! We never officially broke up, so we're still together!"
"Look, I came to make things right between us."
He pulled out a folded paper with "Reconciliation Voucher" written in my own handwriting.
The voucher stated that the recipient must forgive the bearer unconditionally.
"Remember our promise? The vouchers we made together?"
We had created these vouchers years ago. Whenever Alex pleased me, I'd give him one as a reward.
"Lily will never say goodbye to Alex."
When he'd left me for Miranda, I'd tried to give him one of these vouchers.
His response had cut me to the bone.
"These only work when there's still love between us, Lily."
Now I threw his words back at him.
"The vouchers expired the moment I stopped loving you, Alex."
"That's impossible," he insisted. "I don't believe you."
"I've found someone else, Alex."
I turned to Jason, who stood watching the exchange with quiet confidence.
His ears burning red, Jason stepped forward and kissed me gently.
I leaned into the kiss, making my choice clear.
"No! Stop this!"
"How can you kiss him right in front of me?"
Alex clutched his chest dramatically, face twisted in pain.
I'd always fallen for this act before. His pain would become mine, and I'd rush to comfort him, apologizing for hurting him.
This time, I merely gave him a cold look and took Jason's hand in mine.
"Let's go."
