He Said I Was Overreacting, I Said I Was Over Him Chapter 03

He Said I Was Overreacting, I Said I Was Over Him Chapter 03

The next morning, the doorbell rang loud enough to wake the dead.

I opened the door to find Lucas standing there with dark circles under his eyes, holding two delicate paper bags.

He was already wearing the new clothes he’d bought during our shopping trip yesterday.

Zoe stood behind him, clutching an insulated food container.

“Anna!” Zoe pushed past Lucas, acting as if nothing had happened, warm and familiar. “Look what we brought you! Mango Latte, mango mille crepe cake, and mango pudding from that famous spot with the long lines!”

Lucas hovered awkwardly beside her, leaning in carefully. “Anna, yesterday was all my fault. Zoe chewed me out all night. She said I was clueless and didn’t know how to make you happy…”

Zoe cut in. “Exactly! I actually went to his hotel last night and made him go over everything you like! Anna, for my sake, give him one more chance, okay?”

They played off each other like a well-rehearsed couple, coaxing a difficult child.

I looked down at Zoe’s hand gripping mine. Her nails were neatly trimmed and smooth.

It reminded me of last month, when Zoe was in the hospital and I’d visited with fruit. That same hand had been lying weakly on the bed rail.

She’d told me then it was acute gastroenteritis from something she ate.

Looking at her now, I felt a knot twist in my stomach.

I pulled my hand back and took a step away, then pointed at the black suitcase by the door.

I looked at Lucas. “All your stuff is in there. Take your things and leave.”

The smile on Lucas’s face froze.

Zoe blinked in shock. “Anna, come on. Don’t be like this. It’s just a Mango Latte, isn’t it? Lucas bought you a whole table full of mango stuff. Are you really kicking his luggage out over this?”

“Yes, I am.” I looked straight at her. “Zoe, aren’t you supposed to be my best friend? Why are you always taking his side?”

Lucas’s face turned stormy. “Anna! How long are you going to keep this up? You’re throwing away eight years of us over some nonsense?”

“Yes. I am.”

Just then, my phone buzzed.

It was the Wedding Photography Studio. I put the call on speaker.

“Miss Anna, this is Ivy Wedding Photography Studio. You and Mr. Lucas Williams have an outdoor wedding shoot scheduled for next Saturday. We’re calling to confirm…”

“Cancel it.”

There was a pause on the other end. “Cancel? But Miss Anna, the deposit is non-refundable. You booked our premium package, and if you cancel…”

“I know. Cancel it. Keep the deposit.”

I hung up. The living room fell into silence.

For that photoshoot, I’d researched over a dozen studios and spent two months scouting locations.

Zoe had been there while I tried on no fewer than thirty wedding dresses, jokingly pinching my cheek in frustration, “Can’t you just pick one?”

I’d laughed and fed her water, coaxing her, “This only happens once. I want the most beautiful memories.”

Both of them knew better than anyone how much I’d poured into those photos, how eagerly I’d waited for this wedding.

Lucas’s eyes glistened. The anger he’d been holding back turned into confusion and panic.

“Anna, I’m sorry. Please don’t punish me by breaking up. I’ll change. I’ll fix everything. Just tell me what to do.”

I asked quietly, “Lucas, what exactly are you sorry for?”

He opened his mouth, and he stumbled over his words. “I… I shouldn’t have stopped you from getting the Mango Latte. I shouldn’t have bought all those clothes for myself when we were shopping…”

“And?”

His eyes darted toward Zoe. He stammered, “I shouldn’t have been so busy with work… I didn’t spend enough time with you…”

I smiled. “That’s it?”

Zoe stomped her foot in frustration. “Anna! Do you really have to make Lucas get on his knees and beg you?”

I opened the door and shoved the suitcase outside.

Then I replied, “He can kneel if he wants. He owes me more than kneeling could ever make up for.”