After 100th Proposal, I Walked Away

Chapter 2 The Joke That Goes Too Far

My best friend, Sarah Lewis, called to ask whether I had pulled off the proposal. She also asked if I was going to miss her birthday party that night.

I said, "I'm not doing it anymore. Send me the address. I'll head over."

30 minutes later, I took a cab to the club Sarah had mentioned. It was massive, its winding hallways like a maze.

A waiter led me in.

As we passed a private room, I suddenly caught Zayn's voice.

"Listen carefully. Sophia's back. From now on, don't bring up Vivian in front of her."

Someone asked curiously, "Zayn, now that you're marrying Sophia, your young lover hasn't been acting out?"

Zayn stayed silent. It was his best friend who answered for him.

"Vivian's been crazy about Zayn for eight years. She proposes every month, doubles it on holidays. If she wasn't completely obsessed, how could she have stayed Sophia's stand-in all this time? So what if she throws a fit? One word from Zayn, and she'll be crawling back in two days, guaranteed."

After a moment of silence, Zayn's low voice finally came through. "Keep this quiet for now. Once I marry Sophia, I'll explain everything to Vivian."

I bit my lower lip hard. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth before I finally forced myself back to reality.

As I turned to leave, I walked straight into someone.

"Why aren't you going in?"

Before I could react, Sophia, all warmth and familiarity like an older sister, took my hand and led me inside.

To break the awkward mood, someone suggested a game. Sophia lost two rounds in a row. Zayn immediately stepped in and drank two strong shots for her.

In the third round, I lost. Almost reflexively, I pressed a hand to my lower stomach. "I can't drink."

Zayn smirked, "You're always the one pushing to drink. Now you're playing the good girl? It's just a glass. Don't kill the vibe."

Laughter rippled through the room. Then Sophia suddenly stood up to defend me. "Hey, that's enough. She's still young. If anything happens, Zayn's going to feel guilty."

A flash of unease crossed Zayn's face. He looked at her and said, "We can't have her breaking the rule. Why don't you come up with a punishment?"

Sophia nodded quickly. "I heard Vivian used to be a pickpocket as a kid. She's probably fast. How about a water-splash game?"

The atmosphere froze instantly.

No one had ever dared bring up my past in front of Zayn.

Once, one of his drunk friends had mentioned how I'd been chased after stealing something, even diving into a dumpster to get away.

Zayn hadn't said a word. He had just grabbed an ashtray and smashed it into the man's head.

From then on, everyone in their circle knew one unspoken rule. They should never mess with the young woman by Zayn's side, or they would be as good as dead.

Sophia stiffened for a split second, then hurried to backtrack. "Vivian, don't get me wrong. I just misspoke."

She even raised a hand like she was about to slap herself, but Zayn stopped her.

"It's nothing," he said coldly. "Vivian grew up rough. She can handle a joke."

I looked at him, barely believing what I had just heard.

I was still disoriented when someone shoved me straight in front of Sophia.

Before I could even register it, a glass of red wine was hurled toward my face.

It smashed into my cheekbone, and I staggered back on instinct. The freezing liquid flooded my eyes, blinding me instantly.

I crashed into a familiar pair of arms, and through the chaos I heard Zayn bark, "What are you all standing around for? Get a towel, now!"

But before anyone could even wipe the wine from my eyes, Sophia's sobbing cut through the noise.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. But Zayn, I'm freezing!"

Zayn helped me sit on the sofa and said quietly, "I'll take Sophia to change. I'll come back for you."

In the blink of an eye, I was left alone in the private room.

I tried to stand and go find Sarah.

A sudden cramp ripped through my lower abdomen, and I froze, realization dawning.

Instinctively, I called Zayn.

Once, twice, by the fifth call, he finally answered.

"Zayn, I..."

"Vivian, when did you get so dramatic? Can't you wait a bit?"

The line cut off with a dead tone.

I let out a shaky, bitter laugh as my consciousness slowly slipped away.