Chapter 4 Shadows of the Past

The coffee shop was too bright. Too loud. Too alive.

The thought of Mason's text mess crossed her mind, she haven't yet mentioned it to Samantha.

Kimberly's fingers curled around her cup, seeking warmth, something real to hold onto. The hum of conversations blurred together a chaotic melody of laughter, gossip, and normalcy. She hated it.

Normalcy.

It felt like an insult. Like the world had the audacity to keep going when hers had crumbled to dust.

"Stop overthinking." Samantha's voice cut through her thoughts.

Kimberly looked up, startled.

Samantha sighed, tapping her nails against the table. "You're doing that thing again spiraling in your head. What are you thinking about?"

Kimberly hesitated. "Mason texted me."

Samantha's expression darkened instantly. "What did that bastard say? What he he say he wants?"

Kimberly swallowed. "He wants to talk."

Silence stretched between them. Then, Samantha leaned forward, her eyes flashing with protectiveness. "Talk about what, he has nothing good to say, and you better not be thinking about answering him."

Kimberly exhaled. "I don't know. I just... I want to know why, Sam. Why did he do this to me? Why wait until now to say something?"

Samantha shook her head. "Does it matter? He left you at the altar, Kim. That should tell you everything."

"But what if?" Kimberly stopped herself.

What if there was a reason? What if there was something she didn't know?

Samantha read her mind. "No, Kim. No what ifs here. That's the trap. That's how you get sucked back in, and let him drain you for the second time."

Kimberly dropped her gaze, stirring her coffee absent mindedly.

Samantha sighed. "Listen, I get it. You want closure. But you're not going to get it from Mason. He's not the type to give you that. The only closure you need is deciding that he doesn't get to have space in your head anymore."

Kimberly wanted to believe that.

She really did.

The apartment was quiet when Kimberly got home.

Too quiet.

She had spent so much time planning a life with Mason that now, without him, everything felt... empty to her.

She walked into the bedroom, hesitating at the sight of the closet. His side was still filled with clothes. Shirts hung neatly, shoes lined up like he would be back any second.

But he would not be.

The thought hit her like a punch to the gut.

Her knees wobbled as she reached for one of his jackets, her fingers brushing against the fabric. She brought it to her face before she could stop herself.

It still smelled like him.

A mix of cologne and something uniquely Mason fresh, crisp, like a morning breeze.

Her throat tightened.

How could someone who had been such a constant in her life just... disappear, and chooses not to be anymore?

She sank onto the edge of the bed, gripping the jacket.

She thought she was past the worst of it. But heartbreak was never a straight road.

It had loops.

Setbacks.

And tonight, she was drowning in one.

The Breaking Point

The knock on her door startled her.

She blinked, disoriented. When had it gotten so dark?

Dragging herself to her feet, she opened the door hesitantly.

Samantha stood there, holding a bottle of wine and a bag of takeout.

"I had a feeling you were having a moment," she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

Kimberly exhaled, closing the door behind her. "I don't deserve you, honestly I don't."

"Yea, you're damn right, you don't," Samantha said, flopping onto the couch. "Now, come eat before I start force feeding you."

Kimberly hesitated before sitting beside her.

The scent of Chinese food filled the space, warm and comforting. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until she took the first bite.

They ate in silence for a while, the only sound being the occasional clink of chopsticks against containers.

Then, Samantha spoke. "Tell me what's going on in that overthinking brain of yours, because I know your brain, that thing can't just stay away from thought."

Kimberly sighed. "I keep thinking about him. About... us."

Samantha didn't say anything. She just let Kimberly talk.

"I hate that I miss him," Kimberly admitted. "I should hate him. I should be furious. But all I feel is this this emptiness inside of me."

Samantha set her food down. "Missing him is normal, Kim. You loved him. You were supposed to marry him. You don't just turn that off, so I won't hold you for saying you miss him."

Kimberly's eyes burned. "Then why does it feel like I'm betraying myself by still caring?"

Samantha softened. "Because you're human. But missing him doesn't mean you should let him back into your life, that's backwardness my friend."

Kimberly nodded slowly.

Maybe one day, she would finally come to believe that.

But not tonight.

Tonight, she just let herself feel.

And for now, that was enough.