The Day He Proposed, the Day He Picked Her Up, the Day I Threw Away the Baby Chapter 11

The Day He Proposed, the Day He Picked Her Up, the Day I Threw Away the Baby Chapter 11

They say when it rains, it pours—but the opposite. Heartbreak in love, luck at work.

I’d taken so much time off lately that my boss thought I was interviewing elsewhere.

Instead of firing me, he gave me a raise.

Even after I clocked out, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

“What’s got you so happy?”

Tristan’s voice came from behind me.

As he walked closer, his tone turned mockingly bitter.

“Am I really that annoying? You were grinning a second ago, and the second you see me, your face drops.”

I shook my head. “Of course not.”

“Let me treat you to dinner, then. As a thank-you.”

He gave a quiet hum, clearly trying and failing to hide the smile tugging at his mouth.

My raise hadn’t even kicked in yet, but I decided to splurge on a nice dinner for him anyway.

I steeled myself and accepted the hit to my wallet.

Throughout the meal, he kept talking casually.

“You look a lot better lately.”

As he spoke, he peeled a shrimp and dropped it into my bowl naturally.

I stared at the shrimp. Then at him.

Then back at the shrimp, just to confirm he had really placed it in my plate.

“Isn’t shrimp your favorite? Or did your taste buds change?”

I lowered my head without speaking.

The whole dinner felt off, like I was sitting across from a stranger.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a figure outside the window. I froze.

Garrett stood there staring straight at me.

And Tristan—Tristan actually smiled and waved at him.

Garrett’s expression darkened as he walked inside.

He sat down beside me like he belonged there.

Tristan stood up slowly, grabbed my wrist, and switched seats with me so I sat beside him instead.

This time, I didn’t look away. I held his gaze.

Something in my eyes must have cut deep, because a wounded look flickered across his face.

“So you really got together with him?”

I answered calmly. “No. Don’t assume everyone plays as dirty as you do.”

I’d never spoken to him like that before.

But lately, it felt like over a decade of pent-up resentment had finally erupted.

Garrett’s tone turned earnest. “Cassidy, please give me another chance.”

I almost laughed out loud.

“Honestly, I’m kind of grateful to Tessa. She came back at the perfect time.”

Garrett’s head snapped up, eyes widening.

“If it weren’t for her, how would I have ever seen who you really are?”

Shame flickered across his face, and he dropped his head.

Beside me, Tristan looked completely entertained, like he was watching a live soap opera.

Garrett suddenly turned toward him and glared.

“I treated you like a friend. And this is what you do?”

Tristan leaned back in his chair, the picture of ease.

“Don’t flatter yourself. We were never that close.”

Garrett’s face twisted, like he was a second away from losing it.

Tristan only smiled wider. “Do you know how jealous I used to be of you?”

As he spoke, he suddenly grabbed my hand.

“You could’ve had an amazing life with her. But you just had to screw it up yourself. You deserve every bit of this.”

With no real argument left, Garrett went for the cruelest blow he could land.

“Cassidy was carrying my child. We were going to be happy together.”

The words stabbed straight into the deepest wound inside me.

I glared at him fiercely.

That one sentence nearly knocked the wind out of me.

I tried to subtly pull my hand away. But Tristan held on even tighter.

He let out a sarcastic laugh. “You really think I care about that?”

Then he lowered his gaze to me, his expression unexpectedly serious.

“Only insecure guys obsess over their partner’s ex.”

“I’m better-looking, richer, just better in every way. I’m confident I can make you forget he ever existed.”

Hearing him hype himself up like that made me laugh. He was still the same old Tristan.

Whether he was just saying it to save face for me or meant every word, my heart still warmed a little.

Garrett had played his last card. And lost. His face went pale.

I smiled faintly. And for the first time, I truly let go.

“Let’s just part on good terms.”

His chest heaved. His eyes were bloodshot, his lips trembled, but in the end, no words came.

Finally, he stood up and left.

At last, the meal was finally over. I let out a long breath.

It felt like the absurd mess of the past year had finally come to an end.

It wasn’t pretty—the process, the ending, none of it. But at least it was over.

And through it all, Tristan was still holding my hand. Tight.

I knew how he felt. But I knew what it felt like to give your heart to the wrong person.

That kind of pain cuts too deep.

I wasn’t sure what kind of future I could offer him.

And I didn’t want him getting hurt because of me.

He seemed to read my mind.

Slowly, he let go. Then the serious look vanished, replaced by that irritating, smug face of his.

“I’m still hungry. I need another King crab.”

I burst out laughing. “Fine. Make it two.”