UN-BROKEN

WHISPERS AND REVELATIONS

I sighed as I adjusted my sunglasses, stepping out of my car and into the boutique’s air-conditioned comfort. Zoe had insisted we accompany her to pick out her wedding gown, and despite my chaotic work schedule, I obliged. It wasn’t every day that one of your best friends was getting married.

Becca was already inside, leaning against a rack of shimmering dresses, her arms crossed.

“Finally! I thought you’d never show.”

“I got caught up with work,” I replied, pulling Zoe into a warm hug. “Are you ready to say yes to the dress?”

Zoe grinned. “As ready as I’ll ever be!”

We spent the next hour flipping through dresses. The boutique was filled with the soft rustling of fabric and the occasional gasp of admiration as Zoe twirled in front of the mirror. The gown she wore, a delicate lace masterpiece with intricate beadwork was breathtaking. Becca and I sat on the plush couch, watching our friend as the needleworker adjusted the fit.

“Oh my God, Zoe, you look like a dream,” I gushed, leaning forward with wide eyes.

“I know, right?” Becca agreed. “Richard is going to faint when he sees you walk down the aisle.”

Zoe beamed at us, running her fingers over the floral lace patterns on the gown. “I just want everything to be perfect. It still feels so unreal.”

“Everything will be perfect,” I reassured her. “You and Richard are solid. This wedding is just the celebration of what you already have.”

Becca rolled her eyes playfully. “Ugh, so mushy. But also true the new Mrs. Okonkwo” We laughed.

“Wow,” I whispered, taking in the way the dress hugged Zoe perfectly. “This is the one.”

Zoe turned to the mirror, tears brimming in her eyes. “I think so too.”

Becca clapped her hands. “Finally! Because if I see another ball gown today, I might lose my mind.”

We laughed, and Zoe placed an order for the dress. As we settled into plush chairs with glasses of champagne.

Zoe giggled before turning back to the mirror. I took the opportunity to check my phone, my fingers hesitating over Desmond’s name. I still wasn’t sure how I felt about him. He was new, he was intriguing, and he was certainly attractive, but was I ready?

“Alright, enough about me,” Zoe said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Liv, you’ve been quiet. What’s going on with you?”

Becca nudged Zoe. “I was about to ask the same thing.” “So, what’s the deal with this new guy?

I hesitated, then decided to tell them. “There’s a new guy at work. Desmond. He’s smart, confident, and we’ve been working closely together. We even ran into each other at the gym the other day.”

“The guy you met at the café?” Becca smirked. I nodded.

Becca’s eyes lit up. “Wait, wait, and wait. So you’re saying you’ve been working closely with a fine investment banker and bumping into him in tight gym clothes? Girl, the universe is literally throwing him at you.”

Zoe clapped her hands. “Exactly! Tell us more. Is he single?”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I don’t know. I mean, I assume so, but we haven’t talked about that.”

Becca smirked. “You better find out before we start wedding planning for you too.”

“I’m not even thinking about relationships right now,” I protested, though the warmth in my cheeks betrayed me. “I’m just focused on myself.”

Becca and Zoe exchanged knowing looks but decided to let it slide.

Becca wiggled her eyebrows. “And? Is he fine?”

I hesitated before nodding. “Okay, yes. He’s attractive. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Please,” Zoe scoffed. “We know you, Liv. You wouldn’t even acknowledge a guy’s attractiveness if you weren’t at least a little interested.”

Zoe gasped. “Oh my God! That’s basically fate.”

Becca laughed. “Yeah, imagine going to the gym and finding a tall, dark, and handsome investment banker just waiting to spot you.”

I rolled my eyes. “It wasn’t like that. We just talked for a bit, that’s all.”

Zoe grinned. “Hmm. Keep telling yourself that.”

After a few more dress fittings, we left the boutique and headed to a small café nearby. As we settled in with our drinks, Becca leaned in conspiratorially. “So, I heard something wild about Tayo.”

I stiffened but tried to play it cool. “What about him?”

Becca sighed. “Apparently, he got some random girl pregnant, and his parents are making him marry her.”

Zoe’s jaw dropped. “What? No way.”

“I heard it from my cousin, who knows one of Tayo’s friends. It’s messy.” Becca shook her head. “I wasn’t sure if I should tell you, but I figured you should hear it from us first.”

I sat back, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Shock? Not really. Relief? Maybe a little. Pain? I hated to admit it, but yes.

“Well,” I finally said, exhaling. “That’s… something.”

I stared at my drink, stirring it absentmindedly. I didn’t know how to feel. A part of me wanted to laugh bitterly after all the pain he caused me, this was his fate? But another part of me, the part that still ached, felt a strange emptiness settle in my chest.

Zoe reached for my hand. “Are you okay?”

I forced a small smile. “I think so. It’s weird, you know? But I’m not surprised. Tayo always seemed like the type who wouldn’t let his life spiral out of control. It’s just… surreal. I used to think I’d be the one he’d end up with. Now, he’s marrying someone else because of a mistake.”

Becca rubbed my shoulder. “Liv, you dodged a bullet. Trust me. The universe is making sure you don’t waste your time on someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

“I know,” I murmured. And deep down, I did know. It was just hard to swallow.

The conversation soon shifted to lighter topics, but my mind remained elsewhere. After the boutique visit, I decided I needed time alone. I drove to the gym, hoping to clear my mind.

The rhythmic pounding of my feet on the treadmill helped drown out the noise in my head. But just as I stepped off, I spotted Desmond near the weights.

“Olivia,” he called, wiping his face with a towel. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I grabbed my water bottle. “Trying to escape my thoughts.”

He caught my gaze and grinned. “Didn’t think I’d see you here again so soon.”

I smirked. “Are you saying I don’t look like someone who works out?”

He chuckled, setting the weights down. “I’m saying I didn’t take you for a gym regular. But I like being surprised.”

I found myself smiling. “Well, I’m trying to make it a habit.”

Desmond wiped his hands and gestured toward the treadmills. “Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all,” I said, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a small, unfamiliar thrill. Something light. Something new.

He smirked. “Bad day?”

I hesitated. “Just… weird news about my ex.”

Desmond nodded knowingly. “Exes have a way of creeping back into our lives when we least expect it.”

“Exactly,” I said, surprised at how easy it was to talk to him. “But I’m fine. Just needed to sweat it out.”

He studied me for a moment before nodding toward the punching bag. “Ever tried boxing? Good way to release frustration.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re offering to teach me how to punch?

He grinned. “Only if you promise not to use it against me at work.”

I laughed so hard. “Deal.”

After a surprisingly fun boxing session, I left the gym feeling lighter.

⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕⁕

Months past, I met Zoe and Becca for dinner at a new restaurant. We laughed, shared stories, and basked in the comfort of our friendship. Everything felt normal until my eyes landed on a familiar figure across the room. Tayo. We were mid-conversation when Becca’s eyes widened. She saw them too.

“Oh. My. God.”

My stomach dropped. Tayo was at a corner table, laughing with a woman who was visibly pregnant. His hand resting on hers. She was beautiful, glowing even, and from the slight swell of her belly, I knew this had to be the girl Becca had mentioned.

My breath caught for a second, but I forced myself to look away. Becca noticed and subtly squeezed my hand under the table. Zoe, too, followed my gaze and sighed.

“Are you good?” Becca whispered.

I exhaled. “Yeah. I’m fine.” And this time, I almost believed it.

Zoe reached for my hand. “Do you want to leave?”

I shook my head, my heart pounding. “No. We stay.”

Becca smirked. “Damn right we do.”

I took a deep breath, straightened my posture, and called for the waiter. Tayo might be part of my past, but I wasn’t going to let him ruin my present.

As the night went on, I laughed with my friends, realizing just how much stronger I had become. Maybe this was the beginning of something new.