Harley flashed her a polite grin. “Tempting, but no. Last time I went with you I nearly died from the spice level. I’m not risking my tongue again.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Coward.”
“Selective self-preservation,” Harley corrected smoothly. Then he glanced at me. “You should go. You look like you need a break.”
There was something gentle in the way he said it—not pity, not concern—just awareness.
“I’m not really in the mood for spicy food, but… whatever.” I grabbed my cardholder. “Alright, let’s go.”
We founda quiet table near the window in the cafeteria. As soon as we sat down, Jessica’s voice softened. “How are you? Really?”
I took a slow breath.
Jessica knew. She was one of the few people I had told after everything fell apart, only because she found me crying in the restroom and thought something was wrong with the baby. I didn’t want to tell her, didn’t want to open wounds she had already spent a year healing. But truths like mine don’t stay hidden easily.
“I’m okay,” I said.
Jessica raised an eyebrow. “Elena.”
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’m... functioning.”
She nodded as if that was the only acceptable answer.
For a moment, we ate in silence, the clink of utensils filling the gap between us. Then I asked the question that had been sitting on my tongue since the doctor appointment.
“How did you do it?” I murmured. “How did you forget it?”
Jessica didn’t even hesitate.
“I didn’t forget it,” she said. “I moved on because I decided to forgive him.”
I looked up sharply, surprised. “Just like that?”
She snorted. “God, no. I forgave him, but I also made changes and adjusted things. I made sure that if he ever crossed the line again, he’d leave with nothing.”
My eyes widened. “Jessica...”
“What?” she shrugged. “Fair is fair.”
I hesitated, then asked, “And now? How is he?”
Jessica’s gaze softened. “Different. Better. He takes me out more, he actually listens when I talk. And for a while, I wondered if he was just forcing himself to make up for everything.”
“And?” I asked.
“And he wasn’t,” she said quietly. “He changed. For real. People can, if they’re scared enough of losing what matters.”
I wasn’t sure if that made me hopeful or exhausted.
“But that doesn’t mean you should take the same path I did,” she continued.
I looked into her eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Just because I forgave him doesn’t mean you have to forgive Adrian too. Don’t use me as your reference. I chose this path because it’s the life I decided for myself. You have your own choice, Elena.”
I drew in a slow breath. “I don’t know… this is all so confusing. I never even thought I would feel something like this. I thought…” My words faltered. “I thought he…” My eyes began to sting with tears.
“Just take your time and think it through carefully. Don’t make an impulsive decision. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s what you truly believe is best for you and your unborn child,” she said.
