But when I saw him proposing to the very woman who had nearly killed me, it all made sense. He had retired from the military to marry her.
I had feared for years that during our long separation, Yzail might have fallen for someone else, but I never imagined it would be Zolenn.
And to win her over, he had agreed to humiliate me at their wedding.
I was so consumed by these thoughts that I couldn’t focus on the road. I slammed the brakes and was rear-ended.
Gripping the steering wheel, my heart raced in panic. Just then, Yzail’s call came through.
“Lanaya, the doctor said you’ve already picked up the premarital checkup report. Where are you?”
The sound of car horns blared all around me, jolting me from my thoughts. I clutched my stomach, too terrified to speak.
On the other end of the phone, Yzail’s voice grew tense.
“Lanaya, something doesn’t sound right. Did you get into an accident?” His worry was unmistakable, but I knew it wasn’t because he loved me—it was just his instinct to help others.
“I was in a car accident,” I said quietly.
“Don’t be scared. Where are you? I’m coming right now!” he exclaimed, filled with concern.
By the time he arrived in the passenger seat with Zolenn, the traffic police had already handled everything. Yzail’s relief was obvious once he saw I wasn’t hurt, but I couldn’t ignore the sight of her sitting next to him.
Calmly, I asked, “When did you two get so close?”
He knew exactly what Zolenn had done to me, yet here she was, by his side. Had he already decided to make me the bridesmaid, leaving him with no need to hide the affair anymore?
Yzail looked a bit guilty, rubbing his nose as he replied,
“Lanaya, I went to the hospital to get our premarital checkup report and ran into Zolenn. When she heard you were in an accident, she insisted on coming to check on you.”
I watched them coldly, barely keeping my emotions in check. Then, I asked, “Is she here to check if I am dead?”
Yzail’s face darkened. “Lanaya! Watch your words! Apologize to Zolenn!”
Zolenn, eyes brimming with fake tears, reached for my hand hesitantly.
“Lanaya, I’ve regretted what I did for the past two years. I know I ruined your dream of playing the piano. It was my fault. Can you forgive me?”
After she said those words, Yzail nudged me, signaling that I should say something.
I turned to him, my voice soft yet cold, “Do you think I should forgive her?”