Chapter 80
Joanne’s POV
Back then, Derek used to wake up before sunrise and drive all the way to Uptown so that I could have a single bite of my favorite pizza.N
It didn’t matter to him if it was raining, storming, or if the sky looked like it was about to crack open.
He’d buy a train ticket on the spot, ditch work without a second thought, and come racing home to wrap me in his arms and say, “Joanne, don’t be scared. I’m here.”
There were so many moments that made me believe, deep down, that Derek and I were forever. I really thought we’d get married.
And then Melody happened.\
She clung to him as if she were glued to his side. Even when Derek and I had plans for dinner, a movie, or a walk, he would cancel at the last minute because she needed him. I’d end up alone at the mall, sitting in the food court long after the shops had closed.\
One time, we had an anniversary dinner planned. Derek brought her with him. She laughed in my face, called me dramatic, and then tossed out some half–assed apology like it was supposed to mean something.
And Derek?
He just brushed it off with, “Melody was joking. She didn’t mean anything by it.“”
After that, every time I brought up how hurt I felt, I became the one causing trouble.
I became the problem.
And I wasn’t exactly silent about it. I fought, begged, cried, and even threatened to walk away. I had full–blown breakdowns, desperately hoping that something would change.”
But every single time, Derek would say the same thing, again and again.
“Melody already knows she was wrong.”
Just like that, everything I felt was pushed aside like it didn’t matter.
But why? Why was it always me who had to compromise? Why was she untouchable
Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. I decided I was done. I went cold on Derek, ignoring him for
But the loneliness ate at me, and I gave in. I humbled myself, begged for a few minutes face as I asked him to talk to me.
a
whole month.
of his time, tears running down my
But Derek just stood in front of his friends and Melody, his eyes judging me like he had never done before as he spoke, “Joanne, if you’re gonna throw a temper, then you better be ready to deal with the consequences. It’s not like you’re the only one for me.“E
Now, standing across from him again, everything had flipped.
The roles were reversed.”
I looked himn straight in the eye, my voice calm and steady, echoing the tone he once used on me.”
‘Derek, I don’t have any time left to waste on you. You not showing up in my life is the kindest thing you’ve done for me lately.” I turned around and stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, I cast one last look at Derek’s face, wet with tears and eyes filled with regret.
I felt nothing.
Later that night, I told Angela about it.”
She practically exploded, “Bullshit! Belated affection is cheaper than dirt! If you ever fall for that man’s crap again, I swear to God, I will strangle you myself.”
With her arms crossed, Angela looked at me dead serious as she added, “Joanne, you can date eight guys at the same time if you want, and I’ll support you. But if you date the same guy eight times? Absolutely not. Got it?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at her grave expression and nodded in agreement.”
“Got it
Shortly after, we finally selected a location for our dessert shop and began renovations. We moved forward with our plans, staying focused and undistracted.
Meanwhile, Derek had heard about our progress. That’s when he started to show up again–not in person, but in ways that ensured I noticed him.
Every day, Derek brought my favorite dishes from Uptown and my preferred afternoon desserts to both the store and my apartment. He never attempted to speak to me; instead, he kept sending these treats, convinced that his persistence was a form of love.
1:35 AM PP…
Sometimes he even left little notes in the delivery instructions: [For my angry girlfriend who’s throwing a tantrum.]}
After a while, even the delivery guy started recognizing me.”
One day, as he handed me yet another takeout bag, he gave me this sympathetic smile and said, “Miss, your boyfriend’s something else. I’ve been doing these deliveries for over a month now. Where are you gonna find someone with this kind of dedication?“N
I looked him dead in the eye, smiled sweetly, and asked, “If your girlfriend had a male best friend who wore your clothes, showered in your house, and wasn’t wearing anything under his towel, would you forgive her?“”
The delivery guy blinked, his mouth ajar for a moment, before closing it again.”
After that, the delivery guy never said another nice word about Derek.
Every time he dropped something off, he would mutter, “He’s a goddamn asshole. Miss, whatever you do, don’t go soft on
him.”
19
