Stolen Away For Six Years, My Lover Chose My Best Friend

“Later… you two ended up together.”

Quincy reached out and took my hand. “Talia, I’m sorry, truly sorry. If you can’t accept this, I’ll leave right now.”

She started to turn away, but Luka rushed past me and pulled her back. “Quincy, this isn’t your fault. You don’t have to leave.”

Then he faced me, keeping her behind him. “Talia, I’m sorry. This is on me, not her. She’s always cared for you, so have I. But the past is gone. Missing you will always be my regret. We won’t turn our backs on you, but can you…”

In that moment, the last bit of faith I held broke apart. “I hope you’re happy. I’m leaving.”

I brushed past Luka without a glance. “Talia…” His voice echoed after me, but I never looked back.

Ahead, the road stretched toward my parents’ house. The old place stood silent, its windows dark.

The door lock was rusted, and the bodyguards who once stood watch were long gone. The house looked like it had been deserted for years.

My strength gave out, and I collapsed at the doorway, curling into myself.

Years of poor nourishment left my head spinning, my vision blurred. Helplessness and sorrow rose until they spilled over.

Rain began to fall again.

In the last haze before losing consciousness, I saw Luka appear with an umbrella, just like that day on our graduation trip.

Without thinking, I reached out to him. “Talia, I’ll take you home.”

He carried me back to his house.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the guest room of Luka’s home.

Beside me sat Luka and Quincy, their faces easing with relief as soon as I stirred.

“Talia, you’ve suffered too much all these years. The doctor said you’re severely malnourished. Stay here and rest for a while.”

Quincy’s voice softened, as if she too remembered, this used to be my home.

“Where are my parents?” I asked, ignoring her words.

“In the six years you were gone, your parents searched everywhere for you. After three years, when even the police had no leads, they went abroad themselves. It’s been three years since then, and we’ve had no way to reach them.”

I pressed my lips together as a wave of helplessness swept over me.

“Talia, just stay here and rest. You can stay as long as you need. Coming back was already so hard.”

Luka held my hand, a hint of heartache flickering in his eyes.

Quincy noticed, but said nothing. She lowered her head and quietly slipped out of the room.

“Luka, do you still love me?”

I looked straight into his eyes.

His gaze faltered, shifting away, avoiding mine.

“Talia, my head is a mess right now. Can you give me some time? These days have been filled with wedding preparations, and then you suddenly appeared. I honestly haven’t had the chance to process it all.”

I pulled my gaze away and looked out the window.

Wedding. A bitter laugh slipped from my lips.

There was a knock on the door. Quincy poked her head in, draped in a red nightgown. Soon-to-be brides always wore red nightgowns.

“Luka, let Talia rest. We should get some rest, too.”

Luka glanced at me, his eyes complicated. After a long silence, he finally turned and walked out.

I was drained, yet no matter how I tried, sleep refused to come.

When dawn broke, I opened the door. In the kitchen, Luka and Quincy were making breakfast together.

“Luka, which dress should I wear for tonight’s dinner? It’s your fault, after three years of you feeding me, I’ve gone up a whole size.”