LeafVoicesighed,lookingdownatthegreenweddinghatonherhead.Shecouldn‘tbelieveithadcometothis.Thedaybefore,shewassupposedtobemarryingthemanofherdreams,butinstead,hehadoutedthemasacoupleonsocialmedia.Howcouldthishappen?Theyweresupposedtobesoprivate,sosecretive.

Asshesatinfrontofhermirror,tryingtocomeupwithanewplan,therewasaknockatthedoor.Itwashermaidofhonor,Lin.“Leaf,what‘sgoingon?“Linasked,concernetchedonherface.“IsawyourInstagrampostfromlastnightandIjustknewsomethingwaswrong.“

LeafVoicetookadeepbreathandtoldLineverything-thebreakup,thesocialmediaoutburst,theconfusion.Linlistenedintently,noddingherheadfromtimetotime.

WhenLeafVoicefinishedtalking,Linlookedatherwithaseriousexpression.“Youneedtogetoverthisman,“shesaidfirmly.“He‘snotworthyourtears.“

LeafVoicefeltastingfromLin‘swords,butsheknewherfriendwasright.Shecouldn‘tkeepdwellingonthisfortoolong.

“Okay,I‘lltry,“LeafVoicesaid,standingupandwalkingtowardsthekitchen.

Linfollowedher.“Andyouneedtofocusonyourself,“shecontinued.“You‘retalented,beautiful,andsmart.Youhavesomuchtooffer.“

LeafVoicesmiledslightly,feelingaglimmerofhope.MaybeLinwasright.Maybethiswasanopportunityforhertostartfresh,torediscoverherself.

Astheysatdownatthekitchentable,LeafVoice‘sphonebuzzed.ItwasEdgeChan,themanshehadbeendatingforthreeyears.“Hey,Leaf,“hesaid,hisvoicesoundingsmoothassilk.“Iheardaboutwhathappenedwithyouandyourex.Iwantedtoapologize.“

LeafVoicefeltapangofsurprise.Shehadn‘texpectedhimtoreachoutsosoon.

“Noneedtoapologize,“shesaid,tryingtosoundcasual.“It‘snotmyfaulthemessedup.“

Edgechuckled.“Fairenough.So,wanttotalkaboutwhathappened?“

LeafVoicehesitatedforamomentbeforenodding.“Yeah,sure.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?“

Astheytalked,LeafVoicerealizedthatEdgewasbeingreallyunderstandingandsupportive.Hewasn‘tblamingherormakingexcusesforhisex‘sbehavior.Hejustwantedtomakethingsrightbetweenthem.

Butastheconversationwenton,LeafVoicestartedtofeelatwingeofguilt.WasshereadytoforgiveEdge?Shouldshehavebeenmorecarefulaboutwhoshewasdating?

“Leaf,I‘msorry,“Edgesaid,hisvoicesoftening.“IknowImessedup,butIpromisetomakeitrightwithyou.Wecanworkthroughthistogether.“

LeafVoicefeltalumpforminherthroat.ShewantedtobelieveEdge,totrusthimagain.Butsheneededsometimetothink.

“Okay,“shesaidfinally.“Let‘stakethingsslow.Ineedsomespace.“

Edgeunderstood,andtheymadeplanstomeetupsoon.

AsLeafVoicehungupthephone,Linlookedatherwithaknowingglintinhereye.“You‘replayinghardtoget,“shesaid,smiling.“Goodluck,sis.“