Luka’s body stiffened. He gave me a quick squeeze before letting go in a rush.
“Of course not. Talia, we were all so worried about you.”
They stood in front of me, faces full of worry and unease. To me, it was almost laughable.
One was Luka, who had grown up by my side since childhood.
The other was Quincy, the friend I once pulled out of a dark alley when she was beaten and broken.
My eyes drifted to the wedding photo on the wall. The two of them instantly understood and lowered their heads in shame.
“Talia, please, let me explain. After you disappeared, we were crushed. We searched together for more than three years, but we never found you. Later…”
I gave a bitter smile, my eyes stinging with tears, and finished the sentence for him.
“Later… you two ended up together.”
Quincy reached out and took my hand. “Talia, I’m sorry, truly sorry. If you can’t accept this, I’ll leave right now.”
She started to turn away, but Luka rushed past me and pulled her back. “Quincy, this isn’t your fault. You don’t have to leave.”