Chapter 18
Jake stood on London’s avenue as tiny snowflakes landed on his shoulders, quickly melting away.
He looked up at the massive Fashion Week poster not far away, where Avery’s name was prominently displayed.
The problems back home remained unresolved.
His parents‘ questioning, the board’s pressure, his lover’s betrayal, his competitors‘ ridicule…
Jake had experienced unprecedented coldness and indifference. He had sold some of his personal assets, handed the company over to professional managers, left everything behind, and flown to
London alone.
But…
“Sir, you need an invitation for the runway show.”
Security personnel blocked his path.
Jake’s fingers trembled slightly. He had no invitation. He wanted to say he knew Avery, that he had
come to find her. But when he opened his mouth, the words caught in his throat.
Who was he? What was he to Avery?
Jake pondered his identity and realized the only role he could claim was that of the jerk who had hurt her deeply.
His shoulders slumped. Through the glass, he could see the brightly lit interior of the venue.
Avery, wearing a long black dress, was talking with a tall man.
Jake saw her smile–bright and genuine–a smile he had never seen in their eight years together.
He watched as the man leaned down to whisper something in her ear, his fingers lightly brushing
over the butterfly tattoo behind her ear.
Not only did Avery not shy away, she tilted her head slightly, making his touch more natural.
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She Moved On He Crashed and Burned
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Chapter 18
Jake’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. He had once possessed this girl’s entire love, only to crush it with his own hands.
Now, he could only stand in the snow, watching her smile at someone else through the glass.
“Jake?”
A familiar voice came from behind.
Jake turned to see Nathan standing nearby, brows furrowed.
“What are you doing here?” Nathan’s voice was ice–cold. “Avery has finally started a new life, and you want to disturb her again?”
Jake’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I just… wanted to see her.”
“See her?”
Nathan laughed bitterly, unconsciously clenching his fist. “When she was lying in the hospital, why didn’t you want to see her then? When the chandelier fell on her, why didn’t you save her?”
Each question stabbed Jake’s heart like a knife.
He wanted to defend himself but found all words pale and powerless.
Yes, he had chosen Hannah, time and again.
Even later, when he learned it was all a scam, when he realized Avery was the one who truly cared
for him.
But it was all too late.
“I was wrong,” Jake’s voice was hoarse. “Nathan, I truly know I was wrong. Could you… give me a
chance to apologize to her in person?”
Nathan shook his head. “It’s too late, Jake. Your remorse comes too late.”
He looked back at the smiling Avery, his eyes filled with both tenderness and pride.
‘Do you know how she got that tattoo behind her ear? It’s to cover the scar left by the chandelier. Do you know why she designed the ‘Broken Wings‘ collection? Because she says only a butterfly that has been broken can truly understand the weight of flying.”
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She Moved On… He Crashed and Burned
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Chapter 18
Jake lowered his head as Nathan’s.words pierced his heart.
He couldn’t help but picture Avery at fourteen.
Back then, she would stand at the edge of the basketball court holding a lunchbox, her cheeks flushed with shyness. Back then, her eyes were full of admiration and love for him.
“I’ll wait,” Jake said in a low, hoarse voice. “I’ll wait until she’s willing to see me.”
Nathan looked at this stubborn man before him and sighed. “Do as you wish. But one thing–don’t appear in front of her.”
“Alex is good for her. He gives Avery what you never could–respect and equality.”
With that, Nathan no longer looked at his former friend. He turned and entered the venue.
Through the glass, Jake watched him approach Avery, affectionately ruffling her hair.
Alex stood nearby, and the three chatted happily, like family.
Snowflakes landed on Jake’s eyelashes, melting into water that resembled tears.
He finally understood that some people, once lost, can never be found again.
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