Curtis froze for a second. Then, one by one, he pried my fingers loose and walked out without looking back.
I was left standing there, alone, surrounded by the pitying stares and barely concealed smirks of every friend in the room.
Like a glutton for punishment, I followed.
He caught up to Lena outside and pulled her back by the arm.
Their eyes locked. The moment he saw how red and swollen hers were, Curtis caved first.
"You had a boyfriend that day. You turned me down on your own birthday. What's there to be upset about now?"
Lena pounded her fists against his chest.
"You jerk. Curtis Fox, you're such a jerk!"
Then she threw herself into his arms and sobbed harder.
"I'm sick. I didn't want to drag you down with me. I thought I was strong enough to let go, but I can't stop thinking about you. What am I supposed to do?"
"Curtis, watching you marry another woman is killing me."
"Curtis, I love you. Every single day since we parted, I have never stopped loving you."
Tears streaked her face like rain on pear blossoms as she tilted her chin up, rose onto her toes, and brought her lips to his.
Every muscle in Curtis's body went rigid. The veins on the backs of his hands stood out like cords.
Then he shoved her against the wall and kissed her back, hard.
"Lena, I love you too."
The most devastating love confession two reunited hearts could share.
I walked toward them, one slow step at a time.
Lena saw me first. She straightened, composed herself.
Curtis followed her gaze, and the color drained from his face.
"Willow, let me explain—"
I stood perfectly still, perfectly quiet. And he couldn't get out another word.
The standoff drew attention fast. Passersby slowed, heads turning, a crowd thickening around us like blood pooling at a wound.
Lena stepped forward, every inch the picture of heartbreak. Her eyes glistened. Her voice trembled. She looked like a woman who had swallowed every ounce of her pride just to stand there.
"Miss Sullivan, I'm begging you. Please give Curtis back to me."
"Curtis and I are truly in love. If you hadn't come between us, we would already be married."
"I've been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The doctors say I have one year left." Her voice cracked, perfectly timed. "All I want is to spend whatever time I have with the man I love. I don't want to die with regrets."
"Please. I'm begging you."