Chapter Text
“Fine” I said, my heart breaking silently. “You know what? Fucking fine. I’ll leave.”
“Good.” Henry’s sapphire eyes glistened in pain.
“I’ll leave,” I turn back towards him and lean in, “as soon as you tell me to leave.”
“Alex.” His eyes narrow.
“Tell me you’re done with me. I’ll get back on the plane. That’s it. And you can live here in your tower and be miserable forever, write a whole book of sad fucking poems about it. Whatever. Just say it.” I blurt out, if he wants to break my heart, then he needs to grow a spine. Henry exhales and I think I’ve worn him down.
“Alex, it was really nothing. Would you please leave?” And there he goes, breaking my heart into a million pieces. I resign, nodding.
“Have a good life, Henry.” I turn away. I won’t fight this losing battle alone. And silently, I vow to recover, and never fall in love with someone like him again.
TWO YEARS LATER
“June Claremont-Diaz and Callum Brightwood debut their engagement officially on the red carpet!” A reporter beams at me through the TV screen.
“Your relationship really is a spectacle, huh?” Nora nudges my sister.
“Well obviously, it’s not every day that the First Daughter of the United States is engaged to an A-list actor.” I rolled my eyes. Secretly, I’m happy for her. June deserved love. Her and Nora picked up the pieces of my broken heart after He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named was too ashamed of our relationship and told me to leave. I hated how my mind still wanders back to the affair. To what could’ve been. My phone buzzed with a text from June’s fiance. We were close friends and when I introduced him to June, they were clearly smitten.
Cal : It’s official, man.
Alex: Saw it on TV. Congrats, dude.
Cal : Thanks. Don’t cause too much of a scandal tonight.
Alex: No promises.
Tonight, his family was holding a charity gala. I of course scored an invite as well as June and Nora.
“Shouldn’t you go get ready soon?” I turned to June.
“You’re right.” she nodded and headed off to her room. Nora turned to me.
“So, how are you going to handle it?” Nora placed an hand on my arm.
“Ignore and deflect.” I joked, but Nora wasn’t having it. There was one issue I didn’t mention. Cal’s sister, Emilia, was engaged to the man who broke my heart, Prince Henry.
“Just let me know if you need anything” Nora looked concerned.
“Seriously, it’s fine.” I got up and shooted her grin, before heading to my room. A navy blue suit was laid out on my bed. Zahra must have picked it out. After changing, I made my way down, where Nora and June stood. Nora wore a navy dress, matching my suit, and June wore a pale pink.
“Wish me luck.” June laughed nervously as a car pulled up for us.
“Seriously, June, you’ve got this. They’ll love you.” I patted my sister’s arm before we walked off to the car outside. The car ride there was tense. I was freaking out inside, but keeping a straight face. As we pulled up to the Brightwood Estate, I felt my heart pound. I exited the car to hundreds of cameras picturing me. I smiled and waved as I headed into the mansion. I was recognized immediately and let through into the ballroom.
“There you are.” Callum wrapped an arm around June’s waist.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She planted a kiss on his cheek.
“That’s my cue,” I grinned. “See you around, man.” I mock-saluted Cal to his amusement. I was approached by Cal’s mother, Maggie, who I had met even before Cal and June dated. Cal was my close friend afterall.
“Alex!” His mother wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back. She was like a second mom to me. “You look so handsome.” She gushed.
“Maggie, darling, we have to go give the speech.” Terrence approached her. The two were painfully in love, it was obvious to anyone who saw them. He gave me a nod in greeting and I smiled back. Maggie waved goodbye, walking off with her husband. I turned away, when I suddenly bumped into someone
“I am so sorry-” I started before looking at who I had bumped into. My heart dropped. It was the man who shattered my heart, Prince Henry. He looked shocked to see me.
“Alex? What are you doing here?” His eyes narrowed in suspicion in a way that shouldn’t have hurt me. I had moved on, right? But when he looked at me like that, I felt the same way I had that fateful night. Before I could respond, Cal walked up to me, holding two glasses of whiskey.
“Figured you could use a drink. Oh, I forgot you two know each other” Cal handed me one of the glasses.
“Yep. We’re old friends.” I turned to him
“Callum, how do you know Alex?” Henry’s posh accent sounded especially out of place in this setting.
“June and I are engaged,” Cal explained. I watched Henry’s face for any sign of emotion, there was none.
“Is that so? Well congratulations.” Henry spoke coolly.
“Thanks, man,” Cal chuckled, unaware of the history between the prince and I.
“Congrats on the new relationship, man.” I punched his arm lightly. “Never thought I’d see the day you settled down.” My words had an edge to it that only he realized. Of course he was dating Cal’s supermodel sister. I was stupid to think he would ever end up accepting his sexuality. Henry gave a tight smile before excusing himself, right when Maggie started her speech. I zoned out until her attention drifted to Henry, who now had his arm around his girlfriend’s waist. When I looked at her, an irrational sense of resentment hit me. It was stupid, I had met Emilia, she was a kind girl. Yet part of me hated her for being with Henry.
“ We are happy to announce the royal wedding between June and Callum has a date, May 22nd”. Maggie spoke. Three months from today, I realized, the full implication hitting me. Then I'd actually have to spend time with Henry. I remember that the night we broke up, he had mentioned not being a coward. He was full of shit. I hated to say it but Nora was right. I really couldn’t handle my ex and his new girlfriend. I was making conversation with others when I was pulled aside by a familiar figure, Pez, Henry’s friend. Him and June had dated for a short while but it didn’t work out, but they were still friends.
“Pez, my man, how are you?” I grinned.
“I’m doing good. What about you?” He smiled.
“Been better.” I forced a smile. He would report right back to Henry if I said anything. His gaze drifted to Henry and Emilia, hand in hand. I saw something then, a hint of longing in his eyes.
“Shit, you like her”
“Of course I like her, she’s great.” He chuckled nervously.
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“You’re not as dense as I thought. Fine, I have feelings for Emilia, but she’s with Henry and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Does she know about…” I asked hesitantly.
“No, as far as she is concerned, he’s deeply in love with her.” He sighed. The thought sent a pang of jealousy inside me. I pushed it away.
“Poor girl.” I murmured.
“You have no idea.” Pez nodded. To my horror though, Emilia and Henry approached.
“Emilia, how are you?” I forced a smile. Henry purposefully avoided my gaze.
“I’m great” She nuzzled into Henry’s arm and I looked away. I couldn’t deal with this.
“Sorry to leave this conversation prematurely, but I have to go take care of something. It was nice seeing you.” I nodded and headed off to find Nora
“Are you ready to go? June’s staying the night.” She asked and I agreed, following her out. I prayed that night would be the last I saw of Henry for a long time. I laid awake that night, unable to sleep, when I got a message
Henry: Alex, what happened between us was in the past. Please don’t say anything to Emilia
Alex: Relax, Henry, it was really nothing.