After the Breakup, I Rejected His Second Pursuit

Yannis remained silent after I ended our relationship.

I learned he'd taken two weeks off work, vanishing without a trace.

Yet somehow, my phone kept buzzing with updates about his whereabouts.

"Jasmine, Yannis says he's never been happier," Wendy texted.

The attached photo showed a shirtless Yannis lounging on a beach chair, flashing a carefree peace sign at the camera.

For years, he'd talked about a beach getaway.

Our busy schedules never aligned.

Even after five years together, we'd never seen the ocean as a couple.

Now, mere days after our breakup, he'd made his dream a reality without me.

I switched off my phone and blocked Wendy's number, unable to stomach any more of their blissful vacation updates.

After requesting a transfer at work, I was granted a few days off to prepare for the selection process.

I decided to use two of those days to move out, though "moving out" seemed an exaggeration.

I'd barely spent two nights a month here lately.

Yannis hadn't set foot in the place for half a year.

The living room loomed dark and empty, a stark reminder of my near-death experience just days ago.

As I pushed open the door, my foot caught on something.

Glancing down, I spotted a ring I'd lost in the fire.

Once gleaming, its surface was now masked by a layer of ash.

I carefully pocketed it.

Looking up, I was startled to see an unexpected figure.

Yannis had returned.

"What a mess, "Just hire a cleaner tomorrow. Haven't you suffered enough?" "

He grumbled, kicking a nearby box.

Another ring rolled out, stopping at my feet.

Yannis's expression darkened.

This ring held history.

It was a gift to his ex-girlfriend Wendy, returned after their breakup.

For the past five years, Yannis had always regarded it as a disgrace.

Yet, he couldn't help but be reminded of someone whenever he looked at it.

When Wendy reappeared, he'd eagerly rekindled their relationship.

"Why is this still here?" he muttered, bending to retrieve it.

I looked away as he spoke again. "Captain Long's back tomorrow for a presentation. He's invited us to dinner."

I paused my packing.

Captain Long, our mentor who'd been promoted two years ago, was someone we hadn't seen in ages.

"We should go for a walk together," Yannis added.

In the past, this suggestion was his way of mending fences.

Walking had always helped calm my nerves.

In the past, when I was in a bad mood, Yannis would always accompany me on walks around the base.

It had become our ritual for resolving conflicts.

The old me would have jumped at the chance.

Now, I simply replied, "We'll see."

Yannis fell silent, and we both stayed quietly in the room.

Clearly, we each had thoughts we weren't sharing.

Neither of us mentioned the breakup I'd brought up days ago, or where he'd been for the past ten days.

After what he said, I lost all desire to continue cleaning.

As I struggled to stand, leaning on the table for support, Yannis noticed my discomfort.

"You're still hurt?"

He asked, eyeing my bandaged leg and ointment-covered skin.

"It's nothing."

I dismissed, though someone had clearly informed him of my injuries.

Guilt flashed across his face as he awkwardly offered help.

But I was already limping towards the door.

"Why are you always so stubborn?"

He began, but fell silent upon meeting my indifferent gaze.

I coldly brushed him off and slammed the door behind me.

Yannis didn't follow.

In the past, our arguments never lasted long.

Within days, I'd be back, playing the role of the understanding girlfriend.

This time was different. He had his ex to comfort him now.

I doubted he even remembered who I was anymore.

I should have known five years ago, when he first called out Wendy's name in his sleep.