He Set Me Up at the Wedding, I Took Him Down Chapter 12

He Set Me Up at the Wedding, I Took Him Down Chapter 12

Speak of the devil. 

After I gave my speech as an outstanding doctoral graduate, I 

saw Jaxon Reed backstage. 

He grabbed my wrist. “Chloe.” 

“I’m sorry. Can you just listen to me?” 

I pulled my hand away, looking at him with cold indifference. “Does it matter?” 

He looked defeated, his voice breaking. “Chloe, you can’t do this to me. Even criminals get to speak. You can’t just sentence me without a trial.” 

I looked calmly at the man I once loved. “Nothing will change what happened. Your ‘sorry‘ won’t make it okay. Your explanation won’t make me forgive you.” 

He still wouldn’t give up. “Can’t I even have one chance to make it right?” 

“What’s the point? The second you said you only chased me to humiliate Kian, we were over.” 

I paused. “I played along with your game those last few weeks, made those happy memories you wanted. I held onto a little hope you’d change. But you were still bitter, still planning to leave me humiliated. Jaxon, there’s nothing left to say. I don’t owe you anything.” 

“I owe you.” Jaxon rushed to say, his eyes bloodshot. “I’m the one who messed up. I came here to fix it. I wasn’t going to run 

away. You’re the only bride I ever wanted.” 

“My only bride, forever.” 

When I used to read books, I loved the “regretful ex chases the 

heroine” trope. I thought seeing him sorry and guilty would be 

the best revenge. 

But now that it was happening to me? It didn’t feel as satisfying as I thought it would. 

Maybe his regret was nothing compared to the real love I’d 

given him. 

“Whatever we had ended three years ago. Leave me alone.” 

Jaxon didn’t leave. He bought the apartment across from mine 

and moved in. 

He showed up at my university every single day. 

He clung to me for six months, acting like he’d never let go. 

Sometimes, when I lost my temper, I snapped. “Jaxon, stop 

with this expired devotion. It’s pathetic.” 

His eyes filled with tears immediately. “Chloe, please. Don’t be 

like this.” 

“I shouldn’t have run my mouth. I shouldn’t have hurt you. I shouldn’t have planned to leave you at the altar.” 

“I really did love you. I just let my stupid pride get in the way. I’m so sorry.” 

“Please. Don’t leave me.” 

I felt nothing. I just found it funny. “Jaxon, you’re being 

ridiculous.” 

I ignored him completely. 

I thought it couldn’t get weirder–then Kian Voss showed up, too, after hearing Jaxon was here. 

Sometimes I thought the two of them deserved each other. 

Both addicted to putting on shows. 

I must have done something terrible in my past life to meet 

two such obsessive men. 

On Christmas Day, both of them asked me out. 

I said yes. 

I was going to end this once and for all. 

Jaxon rented out an entire restaurant. When I walked in, it was 

filled with my favorite camellias. 

He looked genuinely happy–until he saw Kian behind me. His 

face drained of color. 

“What are you doing here?” 

Kian scoffed. “She invited me.” 

I set my bag down and nodded. “Both of you, sit.” 

“Chloe…” Jaxon whispered. 

“Let me say everything I need to say, right here, right now.” 

“We’ve known each other eighteen years. We’re thirty years 

old. Let’s stop acting like children.” 

I looked at Kian. “I thank you for being my light when I was 

helpless. Maybe I only loved the idea of you, not the real you. I 

let go when you gave me nothing but coldness and annoyance. 

I don’t owe you anything, Kian. Your obsession now is just 

because the quiet, shy girl grew up and doesn’t need you 

anymore. You can’t stand it.” 

“I’m not a prize for you two to fight over. So please, Kian, 

leave. For both of us.” 

Kian stared at me quietly, then turned and walked away. 

Watching his back, I felt like I’d traveled back to age twelve- 

hiding in the bathroom, hurt and small. 

But this time, he didn’t save me. 

I saved myself. 

It took a long time, but it wasn’t too late. 

“Chloe… I know you loved me. With everything you had.” 

Jaxon could tell what I was about to say. He looked tortured. 

My feelings for Jaxon were more complicated. 

I took a breath. “About Lila…” 

He hurried to explain. “I never loved her. Never touched her.” 

nodded. “I know. You just needed to take your frustration 

out on someone. The closer we got to the wedding, the more 

bitter you were.” 

“I won’t lie. Those five years with you- I was happy, hurt, sad, and loved. It was real. It was my first real relationship. I once thought I’d spend my whole life with you.” 

“But life is unpredictable. I heard what you said. I played your game. I used your plan to hurt you right back…” 

“Stop… Chloe.” 

“Eighteen years. How can you expect me to just give up?” 

Jaxon sobbed, tears streaming down his face. “What do I have to do for you to forgive me? Please tell me.” 

I sighed. “We’ve been tangled up for too long. We’ll never be happy like this.” 

“Besides, it’s like that wedding dress. Once it’s torn, you can’t 

fix it. A new one never fits quite right.” 

“That’s how it is between you and me.” 

I stood up. “Don’t come looking for me again. I can’t take your 

kind of love.” 

“I’ll never come back.” 

He grabbed his hair in pain. “The rest of my life. Can’t you give me just one chance?” 

I smiled at him. “Jaxon, did you get that painting I ordered when I was twenty–three? From your favorite artist?” 

He froze, then a tear finally fell. “We’re really over, aren’t 

We?” 

I didn’t answer. 

Walking away was my answer. 

Some people are just meant to be missed. I felt sad sometimes, but I never regretted it. 

When I closed the door, Jaxon was still standing there, 

motionless. 

But I knew it was really over. 

Mountains and seas have their way back; storms and winds will meet again. 

Unfinished feelings will finally settle. Everything will be okay. 

I wished myself a life full of joy and freedom. 

Because somewhere in the world, a gentle wind would always fulfill my deepest dreams. 

(End of Main Story) 

Jaxon Reed’s Extra Chapter