Chapter 23
A year later, Elena received a text from Freya her best friend was getting married and wanted her as a bridesmaid! Elena was over the moon, dropping everything to book the next flight out, Jasper inevitably caught wind of the news through his sister.
His hand froze mid signature before he carefully lowered his eyes, feigning casual interest as he asked, “Moving pretty fast with the wedding, isn’t she?”
Throughout the year, he’d pieced together fragments of Freya’s life from Elena’s updates, including that she had found a boyfriend who apparently treated her like gold. But marriage? Already?
Jasper couldn’t name the sensation crushing his chest. His vision blurred, making the contracts before him swim. From Elena’s phone on speaker, he heard Freya’s voice carrying a lightness he barely recognized.
“It just feels right, you know? When you meet someone who gets you, why wait around?”
Her tone held an undercurrent of contentment that was unmistakable.
Elena continued stuffing clothes into her carry–on. “For sure. But are you guys settling overseas for good? I’m getting tired of these transatlantic flights. You could visit me once in a while, you know.”
She mock complained while zipping her suitcase shut. Turning to Jasper, she gave a quick wave. “Later, bro!”
Jasper said nothing. Only after Elena had disappeared from view and Freya’s voice had faded did he slowly set down his pen and press his palm against his forehead.
Tears fell without permission. His chest constricted until breathing became painful. So this was what it felt like–watching the woman you love build a life with someone else. He had truly lost Freya forever.
His shoulders shook with silent, choking sobs.
Another year passed, and Elena got married too. Freya returned to New York to fulfill her promise as bridesmaid.
It had been two years since he’d seen her. Jasper maintained his composure as he placed his sister’s hand in her husband’s, but the moment the ritual concluded, his eyes locked involuntarily on Freya.
Her bridesmaid dress was understated elegance, stealing his breath. He stood motionless, afraid any sudden movement might shatter the mirage.
After the ceremony, Jasper accompanied Elena for the obligatory toast rounds. When they reached Freya’s table, Elena practically squealed.
“Freya! Get over here!”
Jasper nodded stiffly. “Freya. It’s been a while.”
He extended his champagne flute, which clinked against hers. The sound echoed through his hammering heart. A
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Ferry impuder died as a tall man approached, diding his army and Freya’s water and bedorcogting her glass.
“borry about that. No alcoded for her right now. I’ll take the bit His Hellena was stube
Freya’s checks colored dighly. Elens’s jew dropped
“Walt are you serious? Beys Kingdey, are you pregnant and didn’t tell w/ Whet beppened to best friends forever?”
Freya laughed, looking slightly embarrassed. “It’s barely four weeks, lens. We were waiting until the first trimester, it’s still early,”
Elena wouldn’t hear it. She immediately declared herself godmother, reverently placing her hand on Freya’s still flat stomach. Matteo Bellini gazed at his wife with undisguised adoration, while Freya radiated quien joy.
The three of them formed a tight circle of shared excitement, with Jasper standing just outside it, like a ghost at the
feast.
So this was the best possible ending–becoming nothing more than acquaintances who nodded politely when paths crossed,
He stared at Freya’s glowing face, her graceful movements, the easy way she leaned against her husband. His heart throbbed with a pain so familiar it had become part of him.
Raising his glass one final time, he murmured, “Congratulations. I’m glad you found your happiness.”
He drained his champagne in one go, the alcohol burning far more fiercely than he remembered.
He slipped away quietly, no longer an intrusion on their perfect moment.
A breeze stirred the decorations, and Freya glanced up to find the spot where Jasper had stood now empty.
She blinked in momentary confusion, then shook her head slightly. The people who truly mattered were already by her side.
