When he tried to pull me into his arms, he hesitated. That pause, that flicker of disgust he couldn’t hide, pierced my heart like a knife.
For a brief moment, Quincy looked shaken at being let go, but she quickly regained her composure.
“Talia, you’re finally back. We’ve been looking for you everywhere. Where have you been all these years?”
As she stepped closer, Luka still embraced me, but it was reluctant, and the distaste on his face was impossible to miss.
I couldn’t help but think back to that graduation trip, when I had fallen into the forest during the storm.
I was gone for two days, and when I finally stumbled out, soaked and covered in mud, Luka had rushed to me without hesitation, pulling me into his arms as if he would never let go.
In that moment, I wanted to shove him away. “Dirty.”
But Luka only pulled me closer. “You’re not dirty. How could my Talia ever be dirty? I finally found you.”
“Am I… interrupting you two?”
Luka’s body stiffened. He gave me a quick squeeze before letting go in a rush.
“Of course not. Talia, we were all so worried about you.”
They stood in front of me, faces full of worry and unease. To me, it was almost laughable.
One was Luka, who had grown up by my side since childhood.
The other was Quincy, the friend I once pulled out of a dark alley when she was beaten and broken.
My eyes drifted to the wedding photo on the wall. The two of them instantly understood and lowered their heads in shame.
“Talia, please, let me explain. After you disappeared, we were crushed. We searched together for more than three years, but we never found you. Later…”
I gave a bitter smile, my eyes stinging with tears, and finished the sentence for him.
“Later… you two ended up together.”
Quincy reached out and took my hand. “Talia, I’m sorry, truly sorry. If you can’t accept this, I’ll leave right now.”
She started to turn away, but Luka rushed past me and pulled her back. “Quincy, this isn’t your fault. You don’t have to leave.”
Then he faced me, keeping her behind him. “Talia, I’m sorry. This is on me, not her. She’s always cared for you, so have I. But the past is gone. Missing you will always be my regret. We won’t turn our backs on you, but can you…”
In that moment, the last bit of faith I held broke apart. “I hope you’re happy. I’m leaving.”
I brushed past Luka without a glance. “Talia…” His voice echoed after me, but I never looked back.