Chapter 30
Joanne’s POV
I kept telling myself, “Joanne, it’s really over this time. You and Derek? Done for good.“”
To help me move on, Angela threw me a second birthday celebration–one that finally felt like it was truly mine. She booked the largest private room she could find and invited only our people, the ones who actually mattered–the ones who belonged to me, not to him.
The room pulsed with warmth, loud laughter, and a kind of genuine energy I hadn’t felt in a long time.”
Everyone was smiling.”
Every ‘Happy Birthday‘ came with real emotion and not forced politeness.
For once, it didn’t feel performative. It felt right.”
We lit the candles.
People took pictures, and some of them turned out to be some of the best photos I’ve ever had. I chose one of my favorites and posted it on my Instagram feed with a simple caption:
[Life is a long road. I’m learning to look forward.]2
Barely a second later, another post popped up.
[Some people are just overly dramatic. Keep that up, and you’ll end up with nothing.]}
It was from Melody.
Of course, she posted a selfie too.
In the corner of that photo, just barely within the frame, was Derek’s silhouette. Apparently, they were still inseparable, still holding on to each other like some twisted version of Romeo and Juliet.
It wasn’t until Melody sent me a video on WhatsApp.
In it, someone off–camera joked around, “If both Melody and your girlfriend fell into the water, who would you save?” And then came Derek’s voice, laid–back and casual like it was no big deal. “My girlfriend knows how to swim.“} Another voice jumped in right away and asked, “So that means you’d save Melody, huh?”
“Of course,” someone laughed. “Melody’s always been your number one. Everyone remembers how hard you chased after her back then. Even your names sound like a perfect match. Honestly, Joanne’s the one who doesn’t fit. She’s the third wheel.” And just as expected, Melody chimed in with her usual faux humility, “Okay, okay! Joanne is the official girlfriend. If she hears. you joking like this, she’s gonna get upset again!”
Then the video ended.
Immediately after, Melody sent a string of emojis.”
Then a message:”
[Oh my god! I’m so sorry, Joanne, I sent that by mistake. Please don’t take it seriously. They were just being silly! Please don’t be mad at Derek… or I’ll feel really awful.]I watched her carefully crafted act, all fake concern and performative guilt, and in that moment, something clicked.
I wasn’t nearly as angry or panicked as I once would have been.
Maybe I really was starting to move on. The cycle of doubt, jealousy, and emotional whiplash had finally come to an end. Then, another message appeared:”
[Joanne, when are you coming back? Derek won’t say it, but I know he misses you.]}
That was all I needed.
I took screenshots of the whole conversation, her messages, the video, everything, and sent it directly to Derek with just one
sentence:
[Control your woman.]
After that, I put my phone away and didn’t bother checking WhatsApp again. I just kept singing with my best friend, Angela.” By the end of the night, we were holding each other, crying our hearts out, then laughing until our stomachs hurt.”
Everyone said the same thing: “Life moves forward when you decide to take the first step.“”
Later on, I went on a little getaway with my best friend.”
Just as we landed and prepared to go home, a message from Derek appeared:M
[Where are the disposable underwear?]”
I didn’t think much of it and assumed he might have left something behind. I told Angela to wait downstairs in the parking lot while I ran upstairs. I truly believed I’d never see Derek again. We had been broken up for a while, and I bought that apartment
1:34 AM P Polan
WTHIC Fian upstairs. Truly wolicycu utive SEC DCICK ayani. via ucchi viune up via winnic, anyi utal aparici
with my own money. Even though we had lived there together, once we broke up, he should have moved out. I was completely sure he was gone.
So when I opened the door and saw Melody walking out of the bathroom, I froze..
She blinked, clearly just as stunned. “Joanne…”
Melody was wearing my bathrobe. On her feet were my cotton slippers. Even the towel wrapped around her damp hair was mine. Water droplets slid down her chin, tracing slowly along her collarbone.”
And right then, Derek’s text finally made sense.
My mind exploded.”
I stormed straight into the bedroom and caught Derek rifling through my closet.
A surge of fury boiled up and burst out of me.”
I charged straight at him and demanded, “Derek, what the hell are you doing in my apartment?!”
