BOUND BY THE PROMISE CLAUSE

Chapter One THE NIGHT I CHOSE TO DISAPPEAR Maya’s POV People think a broken heart is the worst kind of pain, but They're so wrong. The worst pain is smiling while everyone applauds the people who broke you and still moves without any consequences. I heard an applause. I stood at the back of the engagement hall, gripping the tiny gift bag i spent almost a month saving to buy. Inside was a silver picture frame,cheap and simple. That was the only thing i could afford. I should have turned around the second i saw the enormous banner. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PERFECT COUPLE. "Perfect!" I shouted, almost laughing. "You're shaking." Jennifer appeared beside me, holding two paper cups of coffee. "I told you not to come." "I know." I respond calmly. "And yet here you are."She said calmly. "I didn’t mean to." Jennifer sighed. She already knew how stubborn I could be even when I'm hurting. "You still have time to leave." Jennifer continued I forced a smile, and then I said softly. "I just wanted proof." "Proof of what?" Jennifer said, almost angry. "That some people really can look another person in the eye... promise them forever... and then replace them like yesterday's weather." Every word she said hits like an arrow straight to my heart. She looked at me with the expression she always wore whenever i pretended i wasn't hurting. "You don't have to prove that. You already survived it." She said, looking into my eyes like I'm her child. Before i could answer, someone grabbed the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen!" The room fell silent immediately I recognised that voice instantly. Nathan, my ex. The man who had walked away from me and my child as if we never existed. I wasn't angry at him but at myself for believing all his empty promises he made to me and my child. He looked happier than I had ever seen him. An expensive suit,perfect smile, perfect life. I barely couldn't recognise the man standing in the hall. "So many people doubted us," Nathan announced, wrapping an arm around his fiancée. "But love always wins." I blinked with a smile. "Love?! Does he even know what that meant? " I said smiling. Jennifer muttered, "If I throw this coffee at him, would that be illegal?" "Probably." A week in jail." I responded "Despite everything... I cut her off with a laugh. A tiny laugh so people don't notice. Nathan's mother spotted us. My smile vanished immediately. "Well..." She spoke loudly enough for half the room to hear. "Look who decided to come." Heads turned towards our direction, whispers followed. My stomach tightened for some moment, and I start to regret coming where I wasn't wanted. Anyways I know how Nathan's mother can be. "I was wondering when you'd stop pretending you still belonged here." She shouted. Jennifer stepped forward.even if I kept quiet, I knew she would never stay calm. "Excuse me!" She raged out. "No," i whispered, gently stopping her. I heard her hand immediately. I wasn't there to create a scene. "Please calm down," I begged her. Thank goodness she listened to me. Nathan finally noticed us. For the briefest second... Guilt flashed across his face, and then it disappeared. "Thanks for coming, Maya." So polite, so rehearsed. As if we were strangers. Like he'd never promised to build a future with me. I remembered how i cried myself to sleep, waiting for him to become the man he'd promised to be. His fiancée smiled sweetly. I could tell it was all fake. "I've heard so much about you." She said, reaching out for a hug. "I'm sorry to hear that," i replied, dodging like I didn't know about the hug. Jennifer covered her mouth to hide a grin. She was so pissed with the whole drama going on. Nathan's finance blinked. Everywhere went silent. Nathan's jaw tightened. His mother scoffed like she had no idea what she was doing. "Still hiding behind jokes." I shrugged. "They're cheaper than therapy." I was referring to Nathan's fake shoes. Even Jennifer had to look away to stop herself laughing. Nathan's mother's face reddened.i knew she would hit me if she had her way. "You always were immature." She shouted "No.” I smiled. "I was just poor. People often confuse the two." I responded confidently. A few guests exchanged awkward glances. I cared less about it. They got what they deserved. Nathan took a slow breath. "Can we not do this today?" I looked at him for a long moment. Only if he knew how he looked, saying that . "You think I came here to make a scene?" I said laughing. "Didn't you?".Nathan responded almost immediately. I stared at him with so much disgust and pain at a goal, and then something inside me finally broke. I was about to cry. "No." I muttered to myself Picked up the gift I got for them and said confidently "So congratulations! PERFECT COUPLE!." I placed the gift on the table. Then, I went closer to Nathan to deliver a simple statement. "I genuinely hope she never has to discover who you become when promises get inconvenient." The smile disappeared from his face. That alone satisfied me a lot. Jennifer reached out for my hand sharply. "Let's go." She said We were about to leave, and then we heard a voice "Wait." Nathan's mother laughed. I knew she was about to mock me like always. "Before you leave..." She looked around deliberately. "Does everyone here know she has a child?" The room froze for a second. My fingers curled. I was losing my manners at this point. Jennifer whispered, "Don't." I really needed that word because I was about to do something i would regret later. "Does everyone know," the older woman continued, "that she expected my son to waste his future raising baggage?" A ripple of whispers spread through the hall. Everyone gasped and stared at me immediately. I felt every pair of eyes land on me. I wish I had disappeared instantly. Then Jennifer stepped forward. "That's enough." As expected, Nathan didn't stop his mother, and neither did he defend me. He just stood there. Watching like a statue..that hurt more than every insult. I swallowed deeply, and then I muttered. "You know..." I smiled again. A tired smile then continued. "My grandmother used to say something." Nathan's mother rolled her eyes. And cut me off sharply. "Oh, not another story." I didn't pay any attention I continued.... "'When someone throws mud, they lose more ground than the person they're aiming at.'" picked up my bag. I wasn't going to explain further because it never changes anything. "I hope one day you understand what that means." I ended I walked out before anyone could stop me. Outside the cold evening air hit on face. I felt so relieved Jennifer followed seconds later. She still had that sad look. "You okay?" I asked her. "No." "I want to punch someone?" I actually laughed. she only had her mouth strong and sharp, plus she hadn't even thrown a punch since we're kids. "You'd lose." I said laughing "I'd make it memorable at least ."she replied with a smile. "You definitely would," i replied Then we walked in silence across the road. Jennifer looked sideways. "You're smiling again." "I know." I responded. "You always smile when you're about to do something that terrifies me." She knows me so well. it was scary sometimes. I didn't answer. I looked toward the distant cliffs overlooking the sea around the premises. The wind carried the sound of crashing waves. For the first time in weeks... The noise sounded peaceful. Jennifer frowned she already read my facial expressions as always. "Maya?" She called "I'm just tired."I responded calmly . "Tired people sleep."She continued. "I've tried." I replied. She reached for my arm gently. "Promise me you'll go home." She said I turned and hugged her tightly with tears in my eyes. It was longer than usual. "So clingy," she teased. "I know." I replied "You love me." She asked. The best question I love to hear at this moment.. "I do I love you a lot." I said happily. She smiled..... "I'll see you tomorrow." I just nodded. I wanted to hug her more, but she needs to go back to her work. I watched as my bestie disappeared into the crowd. I felt pity for myself for a moment, and then i whispered slowly. "I'm sorry." Not because I regretted going to the wedding, but I was so proud of myself for not breaking out in the crowd there. I walked toward the cliffs alone. By the time i reached the edge, the city lights looked like tiny stars scattered across the earth.The wind tugged at my coat. The sea roared like it felt my presence, and then i closed my eyes. "Maybe everyone would finally stop hurting because of me." I said sobbing. I was ready to end it all. The shame was too much to handle at a time. A sudden voice broke the silence I turned instantly. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He said. A tall man stood several feet away, his dark overcoat moving with the wind. His hands rested casually in his pockets. I can't see him clearly, but I knew he was such an art. He looked far too calm for someone standing beside a woman at the edge of a cliff so nonchalant. I mean, I was about jumping off a cliff, and he showed no empathy at all. He tilted his head and then looked at me slowly. "You know... His deep voice carried over the waves. Suddenly, I started paying attention to every word he said. "If you're planning to jump, you've picked the wrong cliff."