Echoes of a Lost Love

Shawn even planned our future together when he signed his first contract.

I thought that he was my forever and that I'd grow old with him. Then, in our senior year, Olive Russell showed up.

She was his childhood friend who transferred to our class after returning from abroad.

At first, I brushed it off, even trying to get along with her.

But gradually, Shawn pulled away, dodging my invites with flimsy excuses. He bailed on my birthday, claiming he was out of town for business.

Suspicious, I went to his company, only to find Olive holding court.

Employees fawned over her, calling her Mrs. Quinn despite knowing I was his girlfriend. And Shawn wasn't on any trip. He stood there with a smirk, not correcting a soul.

My heart cracked open, tears burning my cheeks.

When he saw me, he didn't flinch. His brows furrowed instead. "What are you doing here?"

Growing up spoiled, I wasn't one to take crap. Pointing at Olive, I demanded, "This is your business trip? Partying with her?"

I stayed calm, not yelling, but he exploded. "Olive's interning here. It's just a welcome party. Stop being jealous over nothing. It's annoying."

...

His words sliced through me.

Days ago, he had been all sweet. Now, he was tearing me down in front of his team.

My face must've betrayed my hurt because he backpedaled fast. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

I clutched my bag and looked him in the eye. "Then what did you mean? Why did you lie to me?"

He grabbed my hand. "The trip was canceled at the last minute. I didn't have time to tell you."

His soft tone dispelled most of my doubt, but what happened earlier lingered in my mind.

"Why did they call her Mrs. Quinn?" I grumbled.

"Just a joke. They all know you're my girlfriend, you jealous goof." He squeezed my hand, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't be mad, okay? It's your birthday. Let's grab dinner tonight."

I was about to tell him to cut such jokes when Olive swooped over.