Two years had passed since the gut-wrenching goodbye to my ex, the man I once loved so fiercely. Unexpectedly, one day, a buzz on my phone shattered the morning quiet as an unfamiliar number flashed on my screen.

I did not think much about it, assuming it was related to work. So, I slid the answer button and answered with practiced politeness, "Hello, who is this?"

Upon hearing my voice, a beat of startled silence followed before a voice, once intimately familiar, cut through the line. "Jocelyn," a familiar voice called, cool and clear. "I'm getting married tomorrow. Are you coming?"

I knew the person on the other end very well. It was Julian Jacobson.

Yet, my face remained an emotionless mask. "You better stay out of my sight," I blurted out, the words cold and final.

——

This man, Julian Jacobson, was three years younger than me and my ex-boyfriend. Also, my first love.

We broke things off on good terms but had not spoken at all in two years.

So, this was quite a surprise.

He, with an unfamiliar number, called me and asked in the same casual way he always did if I wanted to go to his wedding.

My grip tightened on the phone and my fingers even turned a bit white. "Oh, you're getting married?" I said curtly. "Why would I come to your wedding, though? We're over, aren't we?"

Normally, wouldn't someone feel awkward if an ex showed up at their wedding?

"My wedding can't be done without you." Julian, on the other end of the phone, seemed to chuckle, with a hint of mockery in his joy, "You said it before that you would come to my wedding and give me a special gift."

Upon hearing his well-reasoned remarks, I was speechless for a moment.

I vaguely remember saying that, but it was just to get Julian to stop bothering me after the break-up. At the same time, maybe it was also a way to comfort myself when I faced the fact that my relationship ended in regret. It seemed that if I went to witness his happiness, my heart would have a place to rest.

"Just take it as I was talking nonsense." However, now I realize that I really could not do that.

Yes, blame me for being small-minded.

Compared to being a clown at my ex-boyfriend's wedding, celebrating his marriage to another woman, it would be better for me to set up a street stall to sell hamburgers.

Unfortunately, Julian did not seem to intend to let me go like this. His voice was as leisurely as running water, pleasant to the ear and every word hit my ears. "Jocelyn, you should have expected this day. If you're not coming, then I will think you still can't let go of me."

What a joke!

I, Jocelyn Wilson, was the one who initiate the broke up with you! Do you truly think I still can't let you go?

It was just… I just think that attending my ex's wedding would feel humiliating.

"It'll be beautiful, just go. It's just a wedding," a voice urged.

Fueled by defiance against Julian's ploy, I gritted my teeth and finally agreed. My presence would be a testament to my indifference, not lingering feelings. However, attending also risked him suspecting unresolved issues.

However, I was never one to back down, so I countered with a condition. My voice was firm as I said, "Fine. I'm coming but on your dime. Plane tickets, hotel..."

I did not need to say more as I knew Julian would get it.

"I'll pay everything for you, including the travel expenses for you to come to Washington to see me one last time." He said casually, with a lazy tone, just like in the past.

A choked silence gripped me all of a sudden. Words would not form, trapped behind a lump in my throat. The retort I had crafted was a barbed compliment laced with "Mr. Jacobson is so generous. Now with money, you are..." The sentence died on my tongue.

However, before I could finish the word 'different,' he cut in, "Jocelyn, are you satisfied with this ending? I'm getting married tomorrow. We're even now."

Julian's tone on the other end of the phone was light as if he was reporting the weather that day.

I suddenly realized something. This might be the real purpose why Julian made this phone call. He just wanted to witness my regret, a tearful spectacle for his amusement.

Not a chance! I just would not let him get his way!

I nodded with my right hand holding the phone and a fake smile appeared on the corner of my lips. "Yeah, of course. Absolutely. I'm thrilled you've finally found your happiness."

"Indeed, so big-hearted," Julian replied, the word dripping with unspoken meaning.

Then, he did not say anything more. I heard the telltale hiss of a lighter, followed by a deep inhale—a sound that held a disturbing allure even from an ex's point of view. He was probably smoking.

Despite the break-up, knowing Julian, I could not help picturing his sharp features veiled in a haze of smoke.

I hummed in response, banishing the image from my mind. "Naturally," I said, my voice regaining its strength. "Letting go has always been my forte."

The last word hung heavy in the air before Julian's short laugh shattered the silence. A complex tapestry of emotions wove through it, something I could not quite decipher.

"What if I say I won't be happy without you?" His voice was slow and deliberate, drifted across the line, laced with a dangerous allure.

My mind lurched to a halt for a moment and I asked, "What do you mean?"

He was almost getting married and he was still pulling these manipulative games?

Did he harbor some twisted grudge against me or something?

Before crossing the threshold of happiness, this man did not forget to give me a kick and humiliate me.

Of course, I was not delusional enough to believe Julian still pined for me. I knew exactly what was coming next. As soon as I said that, Julian would hit me with his usual sneer and a cruel comeback.

After all, I know Julian's vengeful nature very well.

"I won't be happy if you don't come to my wedding and witness it."

Sure enough, he made this sentence clear to show his original purpose.

It was obvious. Julian's entire motive for calling and inviting me to his wedding was to fulfill some sick need for revenge.

Humiliation washed over me upon hearing this.

Yet, my face remained an emotionless mask as I said, "After this wedding, I never want to see your face again. You better stay out of my sight."

I slammed the phone shut before he could get another word in.

Judging by the way he spoke to me, it seemed that Julian had truly moved on.

Before the phone call ended, I could hear Julian's voice echoing with a casualness that bordered on indifference. He talked about his wedding to me as if he were sharing everyday news with a friend.

Every word sounded like we had never been together, as if our past had never happened, as if the fights, the heartbreak, the years of silence simply never existed.

At first, I could not understand how Julian could so nonchalantly reconnect with me. We were clearly no longer lovers, nor could we be considered friends.

Our bitter break-up two years ago had left scars. We showed each other our toxic cocktail of hurtful words and ugly emotions.

Had he forgotten our past cruel, heartless arguments?

I meant, had he truly let go of the past and forgotten everything between us?

The answer was as clear as the day after the phone call. Indeed, it was true. Julian Jacobson, the man I knew too well, had changed as he embarked on a new chapter in his life.

My first love, Julian, was getting married to another woman.

His fiancée was a woman chosen by his family and hailed from a prestigious background. She was known for her good behavior and youthful charm. The woman was twenty-two years old, a year younger than Julian and was currently a college student.

Just a year past the legal age, Julian planned to honor his commitment to this woman. Whispers in our WhatsApp group said it was a promise he made to provide her with security.

I had always known Julian to be responsible, but this depth of devotion and affection surprised me. It was understandable, though. His fiancée was young, beautiful with a captivating charm and possessed a gentle and understanding nature.

Surely, it was a combination that could easily captivate any man, triggering his hidden need to protect.

After graduating from college in the city Julian lived, I returned to my hometown in New York. Two years of postgraduate studies at a prestigious university had led me to a career in education as a junior high English teacher at a private school.

Today, a change in plans disrupted my usual Friday work schedule. I made a quick call to the school to request leave and then started packing my stuff.

Just before I rushed out to the airport with my small suitcase, a flurry of messages from my best friend, Zoey Adams, flooded my phone.

Each one revolved around Julian's wedding.

Her words, whether intentional or not, felt like a test.

Zoey asked in the message. [Have you read the news in the group chat? Julian is getting married tomorrow and the e-vite has been sent out to everyone.]

Of course, I had seen the invitation, but the visitor tracking feature held me back from clicking on it. It was, after all, my ex-boyfriend's wedding and the details held no interest for me. It was not like I had nothing better to do.

I casually typed a reply to her. [Yup. I know. Julian actually called me this morning.]

Zoey seemed stunned by my answer. A beat of silence hung in the air before an explosion of exclamation marks showed up on my screen. [!!??]

[Seriously, what was he thinking? He actually contacted you again? You are his ex and Julian will be someone else's husband tomorrow. How could he do this!!]

Zoey's words sounded very angry as if he was complaining about my injustice.

I immediately typed. [Travel expenses are covered. Come over for a get-together. Just think of it as catching up.]

I kept my cool, maintaining a facade of relaxation despite the churning emotions within.

Upon reading my reply, Zoey was more surprised that Julian still paid for me.

A moment later, she probably figured out the situation as a wave of comfort washed over her words. [Ugh, that Julian is a jerk! Don't let him get to you. Come to the wedding and I'll be there tomorrow too. Consider me your fierce protector. Who needs to be afraid of him with me around?]

The implication was clear. She just promised that no one would dare mess with me as long as she had my back.

A warm feeling bloomed in my chest and I was grateful to have such a close, caring friend.

My fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed another message. [One thing's for sure: I'm not giving Julian a single penny for his wedding present. Disappointing him would be the least of it, but honestly, I'd feel awful doing that.]

As for that special gift that I promised Julian for his wedding when we broke up? What was he talking about? I'm always forgetful, just in case he forgot.

A sneer curled my lip.

[Absolutely, you can't give anything. Giving him anything would just boost his ego and make him look even better. Think of it as a gift to his wife instead.]

Zoey wholeheartedly agreed with my message, sending a quick reply on her phone.

I replied again. [You think too much. She's probably not thrilled about me being there.]

The one who would be most bothered by their husband's ex showing up at the wedding was definitely…

Ugh, I did not even know the name of Julian's current girlfriend.

Zoey came to the rescue at the right time. [Her name is Yasmine Harris. Pretty good-looking, kind and cute. She fits the image of a perfect wife in most men's eyes. No wonder Julian is so fond of her...]

Well, any man would be happy to marry someone like her, would they not? She was considerate and seemingly devoted to her family. I deeply agree with what Zoey said.

Knowing Julian as well as I do, I knew he thrived on a certain type of woman, someone uncomplicated, a blank canvas for him to paint on.

If I was not that way in the beginning, would he have even been interested in me?

With those thoughts swirling in my head, I hailed a cab to the airport. As I was settled in, the plane was ready to board and I ended my conversation with Zoey.