Every day, I wake up feeling grateful. I have no regrets for the ups and downs in my life. Everything happens for a reason. Every journey has its destination.

And every story has another story hidden within.

I should understand this better.

I should remember that there's a purpose behind every event.

It's just a matter of how we choose to embrace it. Positively or negatively?

How do we confront it? Do we run away or stay strong?

We always have choices. God gives us options.

It's up to us.

Only us.

***

It was a peaceful morning, two days after the proposal. I was browsing online, shopping for our wedding. We had decided to keep it simple and intimate, just the two of us in a cozy hall. We would register, exchange vows and rings, then return home for a small celebration.

I had only invited my parents, my brother and his wife, Eric and Suraya, and my assistant. Oh, I had just extended the invitation to Frank and Krissy as well. Since it was a rushed wedding, I might have to skip Luna because of the distance. We could inform her later.

"Miss Klein..." My assistant entered the room, holding some files and manuscripts.

"Here's the file, and this one is done..."

"Is there anything else?"

She seemed a bit fidgety, her eyes wavering and her lips stuttering.

"What's the matter?" I asked, curious.

"Well... someone wants to see you..."

"Then please bring them in," I replied, maintaining a smile despite their apparent concern.

"Are you sure?" What was wrong with her?

"Yes, just let them in," I reassured her. She nodded and slowly left my office.

A few moments later, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in..."

The door creaked open, revealing the person I least wanted to meet at that moment.

"Jane..."

"Dave..."

***

I gazed outside the glass door, sitting in the same cafe with David, just like we used to.

"Here you go," David handed me my coffee. I took it and placed the cup in front of me, running my finger around the rim, waiting for the coffee to cool down.

Waiting for some kind of explanation from David.

But he just sat there, looking at me with those eyes. Eyes that I once yearned for so deeply.

Once.

"Talk. We didn't meet just to stare at each other," I urged.

"I miss you," he finally spoke.

"Why now?" My voice rose slightly, filled with a mix of emotions. It didn't travel far, but it was enough to make David flinch.

"I know I made a mistake. There's no way you can forgive me for that! But please, give me another chance," I felt a surge of anger, ready to kill this guy.

"You didn't just make a simple mistake, David! You ruined my life! You shattered it to the point where I couldn't even recognize myself! You broke me into pieces, David! And now you come back, saying you miss me? What kind of bullshit is that?!"

"Where were you when I needed an explanation? Where were you when I waited all night, searching for answers behind all this messed-up shit? Where were you when I called and begged you to come home? Where were you when I longed for you with every fiber of my being? Where were you?" I couldn't hold back any longer. I couldn't stay calm. I just wanted to pour out all the hurt that had been festering inside me.

"I know, I was wrong. Blinded by the idea of having a perfect family, I made the wrong choice. I abandoned you when I should have been building a family with you instead of Helen. And I'm sorry for that. But I believe I can still have a chance to be with you again. Because I know you love me more than anything in this world," his sweet words attempted to weaken my heart, but no. That good day was long gone.

He could never make my heart vulnerable again!

"Where is Helen? Where is your dream family?" I sarcastically threw those words at David. I couldn't forget how he had blamed me for his decision to leave Helen when she was pregnant. He had never felt guilty for accusing me like that. And now, he had the audacity to come begging to me again!

What kind of man are you?

"I left her. I should have known that girl was a complete liar..."

"What do you mean?"

"Alice is not my daughter. She was never pregnant. She rented Alice for a few months just to get back at me. I found out later when I checked her phone. She transferred a significant amount of money into this account. When I had Frank investigate, we managed to track down Alice's family. Her mother works for Helen's father. I forced her to tell the truth, and she admitted to helping Helen with this plan. How could I be so blind?" David explained.

"I couldn't just believe it! Why would she do that?"

"She knew I wanted to propose to you. That's why she did all this. She couldn't bear to let me go. She's obsessed with me..." I felt a pang of pity for him.

"I'm sorry, Dave..."

"So, can we get back together again? I miss you. Ever since you left, things have never been the same. I realized how much I love you. Even when I was with Helen, I still thought about you. I never stopped loving you. Never..."

"You should have thought about that when you pushed me away, Dave. You never appreciated how hard I worked for our love. All you did was leave me hanging. You hurt me, you broke me. Be grateful that I forgave you for what you did to me," I grabbed my handbag, trying to dismiss myself. But David grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his embrace. I pushed him away.

"Please, Jane! I still love you..." David pleaded, holding onto my hand tightly, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Sorry, but it's too late now..."

"Jane?" I turned my head. There was Yura, standing there, looking at me.

"Yura, what are you doing here?"

"What are YOU doing here with him?"

"We were just talking, nothing happened..." My voice wavered a bit. Yura's face changed slightly as he looked at David, who was still holding my wrist.

"Hmm..." Fear crept into my heart as Yura froze there, staring at me with a poker face.

"Who are you?" David asked.

"Who are YOU?" Yura responded with the same question, but with a different intensity. I took this opportunity to release my wrist and stand between them.

"I want to bring Jane home. She still loves me..."

"Careful with your words, David! I never said yes!"

"Is it true, Jane?" I knew Yura would be triggered by those words.

"No! Please don't believe him!"

"You still love me, Jane! You haven't forgotten about me. I know it's because you're still wearing the ring that I gave you..." I was shocked to hear that. I immediately looked at my finger.

How did this ring end up on my finger?!

I took off the ring and threw it away. I looked at Yura, but he couldn't meet my gaze.

"Please, I don't know how it ended up on my finger. Believe me, please!" I pleaded with him. Yura just stood there, his eyes still fixed on me.

Is this the end for us?

Yura grabbed my hand and looked straight into my eyes.

"I'll see you at home. Make your choice..."

He walked away from the cafe, leaving me and David to resolve this matter once and for all.