The Way We Once Were

She turned and ran out the door but bumped right into Zach, who had heard the commotion. He pulled her into his arms and said tenderly, "You mustn't leave, Thalia! She should be the one leaving!"

Then, he strode over to me, raised his arm, and smacked my cheek. "This is for picking on Thalia! You should be ashamed of yourself! She felt so bad for intruding that she bought you a present to thank you, but you took her kindness for granted! How can you destroy her present and even attack her? I've never met anyone more ungrateful!"

A searing pain was spreading through my cheek where Zach had struck it. I clutched it and glanced behind Zach, where Thalia was grinning wickedly at me.

I did not even attempt to defend myself; I knew Zach would not believe a single word I said.

Zach glared at me and hissed, "Why aren't you saying anything? You admit it, don't you? Apologize to Thalia right now, or you and I are done!"

I sneered at this. "You and I are already done, Zach. Besides, would you even believe me if I told you I didn't hit her?"

Zach scoffed at this. "How is that possible? Are you saying Thalia slapped herself to frame you? I've never heard anything more ludicrous! She's such a kind person! How can you even suggest something so outrageous? You're a sick, brother-loving wretch, and you don't even hold a candle up to her!"

A wretch?

My blood had gone cold. Who would have thought that the only time I had ever been called a slur, would be from the mouth of Zach Lawson?

Zach seemed to realize his mistake. His tone softened, and he said, "Sydney, get on your knees and apologize to Thalia, and I'll forget this. Don't make me say this twice."

I stared defiantly at him. "I won't."

The next moment, Zach kicked me so hard across my shins that my knees buckled beneath me. I fell to the ground, and a searing pain shot through my knees.

Years ago, Zach and I were involved in a car accident. I lunged in front of Zach to protect him, and as a result, I sustained a fracture in my left leg. The fracture healed, but left me with serious complications.

When Zach fooled me with his proposal a few days ago, I had fallen on my bad leg and wound up in the hospital once more. The doctors told me that if I injured my leg another time, I would not get so lucky. I would likely end up with an amputation.

Zach knew this, and had chosen to strike me in my weakest point.

Tears streamed down my face, but Zach ignored it and stepped on my left leg. "Sydney, you leave me no choice. Apologize to Thalia right now!"

Beads of cold sweat had collected on my forehead, so intense was the pain in my leg. My lip trembled as I stammered, "I…I'm sorry, Thalia."

Zach finally released me. He and Thalia swept out of the room without so much as a second glance. As they left, he closed the door behind him and locked it.

I crawled to the door and knocked on it like a madman. The pain in my left leg was excruciating. I knew that if I did not get to the hospital soon, it would be too late. I begged Zach to let me out.

Zach cast me a look of utmost disgust through the crack in the door. "You must be delusional to think an apology will make up for what you did to Thalia. Stay in there and think about what you did! You're absolutely vile! I'm disgusted by you and your dirty thoughts!

"Thalia and I are going to the airport soon, but tomorrow someone will stop by to let you out. Use this time to reflect on yourself!"

My vision was turning blurry. All of a sudden, my phone rang. I did not care to check who was calling. I pressed the accept button and croaked for help.

The next thing I knew, I had woken up to find myself in a hospital bed.

The moment I opened my eyes, Connor's face loomed over me. He clutched my hand and exclaimed, "Sydney, you're awake! I'm sorry… I'm sorry that it took me so long."

It turned out Connor had been the one who had called and saved my life. Tears streamed down my face as I replied, "It's alright. Thank you, Connor."

All of a sudden, he got on one knee and fished out a ring from his pocket. Gazing at me, he said, "Sydney, I know this is far from the dream proposal you deserve, but I've waited for ten years, and I can't bear to wait even another second longer. Sydney Morrigan, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

I smiled. "Yes, I will."

Aside from being engaged, I received another piece of good news that day: Connor had called for help, and I had gotten sent to the hospital just in time. If I had waited even a few minutes more, my leg would have been beyond saving.

As soon as I recovered, I sprang to work. I did not want to wait even a second longer. I sold the house and blocked both Zach's and Thalia's numbers. Connor and I swiftly decided on a date for the wedding.

On the day of my wedding, however, I received a call from an unnamed number.