Chapter 40As the sun began to set, the seaside became a beautiful place for Laura and Jonathan's evening wedding ceremony. The sky glowed with warm shades of orange and pink, while the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore created a peaceful background. The air was filled with the fresh smell of salt and flowers, adding to the magic of the moment.White chairs were lined up along a sandy aisle, leading to a lovely altar covered in flowing white fabric that danced gently in the breeze. The altar was decorated with bright flowers—roses, orchids, and sea lavender—chosen to match the colors of the ocean and the evening sky. Shells and driftwood surrounded the base, giving a natural touch to the elegant setting.As the sun lowered in the sky, soft lanterns lit up the path and the altar, creating a warm glow that made the ceremony feel intimate. Guests chatted quietly, their voices mixing with the soothing sounds of the sea.Jonathan stood at the altar, heart racing with excitement. Dre
Chapter 1The living room sparkled with a warm, inviting glow from twenty-eight candles on Jonathan's cake. Laura who was trying to hide her nerves, fussed over the final details with Jonathan's family. She'd poured her heart into this surprise—every detail, from the chocolate cake he loved to the decorations that matched his laid-back style. Tonight was supposed to be special, a chance to show Jonathan how much he meant to her."Everything looks amazing," Jonathan's sister said, giving Laura a reassuring smile. "He's going to love it."Laura forced a smile with her racing heart. She had been looking forward to this night for weeks, hoping it would set the stage for what she planned to say after the party."Relax," his sister nudged her gently. "He's gonna love it. You know he will."Laura nodded, swallowing the knot in her throat. It wasn't about whether Jonathan would love the party. He always appreciated her efforts, he always appreciated her. But the thought of finally confessing
Chapter 2Jonathan stood in the hallway, his back leaning against the wall as he wrapped up the conversation with his latest fling, a girl he'd only met a few weeks ago. She had a way of keeping his attention for now, but it wasn't anything serious. He chuckled at something she said while his voice dropped into a flirtatious tone."Yeah, I'll see you soon. No, not tonight. It's my birthday party, after all," Jonathan said, glancing at the door that led back into the party. He heard the music pulsing through the walls and gave a lazy smile. "But, we'll hang out soon, alright?"After a few more words exchanged, he ended the call and slid his phone into his pocket. He lingered there for a moment and ran a hand through his hair, not really thinking much of the conversation. It was just another call, just another girl.But then his thoughts shifted back to Laura. She had seemed a bit off earlier, quieter than usual, like she had something on her mind. He remembered the way she tried to say
Chapter 3"Just be gentle with her," Mrs. Levine added, a hint of concern in her voice. "She's been a bit overwhelmed lately.""Yeah, okay," Jonathan replied with a touch of impatience creeping into his tone. He climbed the stairs as irritation bubbled beneath the surface.He reached her door and knocked softly, but his annoyance was creeping in. "Laura? It's me, Jonathan."But there was only silence."Can I come in?" he called, trying to keep his voice steady."Yeah, sure... come in," came her muffled response, but it felt more like a reluctant invitation than an enthusiastic one.Jonathan sighed, opening the door and stepping inside."What's up with you? It's my birthday, we should be celebrating," he asked, his irritation clear.Laura let out a tired sigh, turning her back to him. "Yeah..." she mumbled weakly. "Your gift is on my study table." She didn't look at him as she spoke, but Jonathan couldn't care less about the gift. What bothered him was his pouting childhood friend, the
Chapter 4The next morning, Laura woke up to the quiet chill of an empty bed. Jonathan was gone, the space beside her cold as if he had slipped out hours before. She blinked groggily, trying to process the stillness around her. Slowly, she sat up as her body protested with a dull ache between her legs. A wince escaped her as the memory of the night flooded back—intense, raw, and filled with emotions she couldn't quite unravel.Her eyes drifted to the bed, the sight of bloodstained sheets staring back at her, a clear reminder of the reality she now faced. It was no wonder—it had been her first time, after all. Laura smiled softly as the warmth of last night wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. It was a moment she would cherish forever, filled with tenderness, and a love she believed had finally blossomed.With a renewed sense of hope, she headed to the bathroom to clean herself up, her heart still fluttering with the memory of Jonathan's touch and the intimacy they had shared
Chapter 5Laura drove back home, her vision blurred by the flood of tears that she couldn't hold back any longer. The painful weight of Jonathan's words settled in her chest, squeezing her heart with every breath. She had tried to stay strong, to put on a brave face, but now, in the quiet of her car, there was no one to pretend for.Each tear that fell felt like another piece of her heart breaking, her grip tightening on the steering wheel as the reality of the situation sank in. How could I have been so naive? she wondered. She had given everything to Jonathan last night—her love, her trust, her body—and now it all felt like it meant nothing.As the familiar sight of her house came into view, Laura pulled into the driveway, letting out a shaky breath. She wiped her eyes hastily, but the tears kept coming, as though they wouldn't stop until she had cried out every bit of hope she'd once had for them.Laura stepped through the door with her face swollen from crying. Her eyes were red
Chapter 6The next few days were harder for Laura than she ever imagined. Every small moment in her routine seemed to remind her of Jonathan—his laughter, their inside jokes, the countless hours spent together. Now, she had to force herself to stay distant, to resist the urge to call or text him like she used to. It was a daily struggle, pretending to move on when all she wanted was to fall back into the comfort of their friendship, however broken it had become.But for Jonathan, life seemed to return to normal effortlessly. The absence of Laura's constant presence didn't weigh on him the way it did on her. He was used to people coming and going, used to the attention of his playful, cheerful friend who always seemed to be chasing him around. Her sudden distance didn't matter much to him. If anything, his life slipped back into its usual rhythm—parties, women, indulging in whatever his heart desired. The void Laura left was barely noticeable, hidden beneath the layers of his carefree,
Chapter 7Mr. Levine chuckled, "That would be a secret," he replied with a teasing smile before standing up. "Well then, I'm heading to the company. You get some rest, my love," he gently ordered his wife, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Mrs. Levine smiled softly in response, a gesture of affection that didn't go unnoticed by Laura.Laura watched her parents and she couldn't help but smile. Because deep down, she wished for a love like theirs, to be treated with the same tenderness her father showed her mother. But then, her heart lingered on its true desire—Jonathan. The thought of him doing those things for her made her wince, realizing how much space he still occupied in her mind."Are you okay, sweetie?" Aurelia asked, concerned by the sudden shift in Laura's expression.Laura quickly shrugged it off, forcing a smile. "Yes, Mom. I'm okay. I think I'll go back to the garden," she replied, standing up to escape the storm of emotions within her."What do you mean, go back t
Chapter 40As the sun began to set, the seaside became a beautiful place for Laura and Jonathan's evening wedding ceremony. The sky glowed with warm shades of orange and pink, while the soft sound of waves lapping at the shore created a peaceful background. The air was filled with the fresh smell of salt and flowers, adding to the magic of the moment.White chairs were lined up along a sandy aisle, leading to a lovely altar covered in flowing white fabric that danced gently in the breeze. The altar was decorated with bright flowers—roses, orchids, and sea lavender—chosen to match the colors of the ocean and the evening sky. Shells and driftwood surrounded the base, giving a natural touch to the elegant setting.As the sun lowered in the sky, soft lanterns lit up the path and the altar, creating a warm glow that made the ceremony feel intimate. Guests chatted quietly, their voices mixing with the soothing sounds of the sea.Jonathan stood at the altar, heart racing with excitement. Dre
Chapter 39As summer break began, Tabitha felt relief and excitement wash over her. She was finally done with college, and it was time to step into a new part of her life. The biggest change was that her brother, Jonathan, was engaged to his best friend, Laura. The idea of having Laura as her sister-in-law filled her with joy, but it also brought back a lot of emotions about the past year. She had managed to stay away from Mr. Albrecht, her charming professor, all year long, but memories of him still danced in her mind, both thrilling and painful.Today, she found herself in the busy atmosphere of Golden Lining Fabrics, a well-known boutique famous for customizing wedding dresses and tailored suits. The shop was alive with the sparkle of beautiful fabrics, intricate lace, and the soft buzz of happy chatter. Tabitha stood next to Laura, who was eagerly going through a pile of wedding dress samples, her eyes shining with excitement.“Can you believe it’s finally happening?” Laura exclai
Chapter 38The day of the reunion had finally arrived, and Laura stood frozen in front of her bed, eyeing the sleek black dress that Mikaela had dropped off just the day before. It hung there, delicate and elegant, but it felt out of place in her mind."I already have plenty of dresses. Why did she send me this one? It's way too fancy for a reunion," she mumbled, picking it up and running her fingers along the fabric. "And it's black... It's just so... dramatic."She sighed, tossing the dress back onto the bed. There's no way I'm wearing that, she thought, shaking her head. But just as she turned to rummage through her closet for something more casual, her phone buzzed on the nightstand.Glancing down, she saw a message from Mikaela."I hope you're trying on the dress! I'm so excited to see you in it! It'll be perfect for the reunion!"Laura's heart sank a little. The pressure was on now. She bit her lip, contemplating the situation. Mikaela is counting on me to wear the dress, she th
Chapter 37And so Jonathan's journey began with long days and late nights. From handling small tasks no one else wanted, to tackling the gritty details that made him question his own capabilities. He faced challenges at every turn—missed deadlines, critical clients, and sleepless nights reviewing reports under dim desk lamps. He threw himself into the work not only to make his parents proud but because of a deeper, personal resolve: he wanted to be worthy of Laura, a man she could look at with pride and security.Back at home, however, Jonathan's absence cast a shadow. Eight months had passed, and for Laura, each day felt longer than the last. At first, she found ways to distract herself, convincing herself that he'd be back soon. But time wore on, and the gap he left behind grew wider. She couldn't ignore the pangs of loneliness that began to settle in her heart, nor the nagging thoughts that questioned whether his promises still held weight in his mind.Jonathan, for all his dedicat
Chapter 36Jonathan took a deep, steadying breath and nodded at Mr. Levine with a humble acceptance that showed both his respect and sincerity. "I understand, Mr. Levine," he replied while his voice remained unshaken yet filled with determination. "I know I'm not there yet, but I promise, I'll work to become a man worthy of Laura...worthy of the love and respect your family has shown me." He paused, his gaze moving to Laura, with a soft, almost vulnerable warmth in his expression as his tone softened. "So, when you feel I've truly earned it—when you think I'm finally worthy of you—marry me then."His heartfelt words lingered in the room, filling it with a gentle, solemn tension. With a final, genuine smile, he inclined his head respectfully, then turned to Laura's parents, bowing slightly before excusing himself. There was a sense of finality in the way he held himself as he walked toward the door. His gaze still held a trace of hope as he glanced back one last time at Laura. He gave
Chapter 35Albrecht felt a twinge of irritation as he watched Tabitha walk away without so much as a second glance. He felt a surge of excitement at her new, detached demeanor. The cold indifference in her stare intrigued him, igniting a spark of something unfamiliar. He cleared his throat, disguising his reaction with a smirk. "Excuse me, students," he muttered before slipping away from the crowd, intent on catching up to her.But as he rounded it, he halted, taken aback by the sight before him. Tabitha was laughing freely with another man, her carefree energy radiating in a way he hadn't seen in a long time. The guy, someone her age, seemed entirely at ease with her, bantering easily as he teased, "Tabby, look at you!" the guy exclaimed, running around her in excitement. "It's like I've got my old friend back. Honestly, I'm glad you finally moved on—this is the Tabitha I missed."Tabitha laughed easily, giving him a playful slap on the arm. "Then why don't I treat you to lunch later
Chapter 34"...So please, I'm begging you. Give me one more chance."Laura's chest tightened as his words echoed in the room. For a moment, the tenderness in his gaze tugged at something deep inside her—but then a darker thought crept in, casting shadows over her hope. Could he just be saying this because I'm his friend? Out of pity, out of guilt? Her eyes grew cold with a frown knitting her brows as the doubt took hold.Her gaze dropped, and she bit her lip, trying to muster a response. But she couldn't find the words. It felt as though her heart had been pulled in two opposing directions. Instead of answering, she took a shaky step back, and then another, retreating from the intensity of his confession. Jonathan reached out, alarmed, but she shook her head almost imperceptibly, her expression unreadable.In one swift motion, she turned and left the room, slipping out of his house without another word. The door closed behind her, and Jonathan stood there, hand still outstretched, fr
Chapter 33Jonathan's heart thundered as he closed the space between them. His gaze locked on hers, filled with a longing so raw it startled even him. He reached out as his hands found her arms as if to anchor himself in the moment, his voice barely a whisper. "Is this really you, Laura? Am I... am I not dreaming anymore?"Laura blinked. A flicker of confusion broke through her calm as she gently disentangled his hands from her arms. 'What dreams could he possibly be talking about?' The question lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside while her heart suddenly felt much heavier."Anyway..." she began as her voice almost trembled. She turned and moved toward the couch, trying to compose herself. Jonathan followed and sat on the opposite seat, though every fiber in his being ached to close the distance between them, to feel her presence near.Laura took a deep breath and gathered the courage to look him in the eyes again. "I'm sorry... for what happened a few days ago," she said,
Chapter 32(Refer to Chapter 8-9) "Wake up, you stupid!" Tabitha's voice echoed through Jonathan's room that jolted him awake. He gasped, sitting up, his breath ragged as if he'd just resurfaced from a deep dive. His chest heaved as his heart pounded, and for a moment, he struggled to pull himself out of the overwhelming fog clouding his mind.His vision was still blurry, and his head throbbed with a splitting ache, like the aftermath of a terrible hangover. Slowly, his surroundings started to come into focus, and the realization hit him—he was back. Back in his room, back in his own reality. Jonathan blinked, staring down at his hands, flexing his fingers open and closed. Was this real? The vivid memories of everything that had just happened, all the alternate timelines, all the pain, it lingered in his mind. It was so real, yet it couldn't have been.With a heavy sigh, Jonathan let his hands fall and stood up from his bed, his body feeling like it had aged years in the course of a