Chapter 2

Leila Yates, one of my besties, called me, asking why I wasn't there yet. "Yvonne, we're all waiting for you. You're the one who set this up, and now you're the last one to show up?"

The call was on speakerphone, and someone in the background teased, "Maybe she's getting all dolled up for Mr. Quinn's birthday."

I let out a cold, sarcastic laugh, a sense of irony and sadness welling up inside me.

Zackery had told me over and over to lighten up, that I was too uptight and boring, and if I didn't change, he'd walk out on me.

I always thought it was just a couple's joke, nothing serious.

But now, I realized he meant every word. In his eyes, I was rigid, no fun at all.

When I didn't say anything, someone playfully smacked the joker who made that comment.

"Come on, what are you even saying? Yvonne doesn't need to dress up. She's gorgeous no matter what. She's probably off preparing some showstopper gift for Zackery," they chimed in.

Zackery stayed silent the whole time.

I felt so drained. I didn't even feel like talking anymore. "You guys have fun. I'm out," I said flatly.

An awkward, suffocating silence fell over the group.

For the first time, Zackery was actually embarrassed. He snatched the phone and yelled, "Yvonne, are you losing your mind?"

I shot back, "Zackery, you're tired of me. You want some young party girl. I won't be the one to kill your vibe."

Everyone went quiet again.

After a few seconds, Zackery snapped, "If you're gonna leave, then get out. Don't regret it."

In the private room, after a brief pause, someone whispered, "Oh crap, she definitely heard that. Mr. Quinn, don't be so final."

Zackery shot back coldly, "I'm telling you, she'll come running back within a week, begging me to take her back. She can't live without me.

"Just watch.

"Come on, drink up! Don't let that drama queen kill the mood."

Then, without another word, Zackery took it upon himself to hang up on me.

A week later, the whole Shanievlle social scene was buzzing. Word was out that Zackery was splurging on some up-and-coming starlet, Xandy Beecher.

Xandy was the latest craze among the city's rich boys—a fresh face who looked all sweet and innocent. She could dance, act, and sing with the best of them.

Zackery paraded her around at every big business event.

And then, he brought her right to my face.

This time, Leila and her boyfriend, Yarden Wallace, set up the get-together.

They were hoping to smooth things over between Zackery and I.

Last time, things got really ugly at Zackery's birthday.

But I didn't go crawling back to him, begging for another chance, not even once that week.

That drove Zackery up the wall. He totally lost his cool and basically banned my name from their conversations.

That night, I knew deep down it was really over between us.

Day after day, over and over, it felt like I was just one straw away from giving up on the love I'd clung to for years.

Then I heard Zackery say he'd been tired of me for a long time.

That was the last straw.

Zackery showed up late, hand in hand with Xandy when he walked in.

My friends exchanged awkward glances, all watching me to see how I'd react.

But I stayed calm the whole time.

Zackery had his arm around Xandy, knocking back drink after drink with her. He was always showing her off—first making her dance for the group, and then sing.

Xandy was sweet, confident and outgoing, totally at ease with everyone.

Zackery looked completely satisfied, proud as hell. Xandy was earning him all kinds of bragging rights in front of his friends.

Leila just kept shaking her head, sticking by my side in the corner the whole time.

"Zackery really went all out when he was trying to win you over," she said.

"You two lasted so many years. I honestly thought he was different with you. But in the end, guys really are all the same," she added.

I just sat there, listening with a blank face, watching them without saying a word.

Finally, Zackery couldn't hold it in any longer.

He walked over to me, looking all serious, and said, "Yvonne, let's be clear. Let's break up.

"All these years, you have always acted like I owe you something. It's really tiresome.

"Guys go out, have a few drinks, and mess around a bit for business. It's totally normal.

"But you always make a fuss about it, and then act all self-righteous when you forgive me, like you're some kind of saint.

"You always act like I'm some kind of villain and you're the saint for putting up with me. You're always trying to play both sides. You act all innocent while making me out to be the bad guy. I'm sick of it.

"Every time I even think about being with you, I feel like I can't breathe.

I listened to him quietly, and when he was done, I just said, "Fine, Zackery. Let's just call it quits and walk away with some dignity." Then I turned and left.

He just stood there, frozen.

He thought I'd do what I always did—try to patch things up, ask if we could both put in a little more effort and see if we could give it another shot.

But that was just because I still loved him.

This time, though, this was the end of the line.