Ann's pov
"You're overreacting Ann,calm down"
The moment Andre said it, I knew I was going to walk away,I wasn't going to be gaslighted by an ex.
I was already standing, my chair abandoned behind me, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it was trying to escape my chest, memories of how Leo served me the divorce papers kept resonating in my head.
The restaurant noise rushed back in,cutlery clinking, soft laughter from other tables, life continuing as though mine hadn't just cracked open again
"I'm not overreacting," I said, my voice low but shaking. "You're married Andre,why didn't you say so".
Andre reached for my arm. I stepped back.
"Ann, please," he said. "Just_just sit down. Let me explain."
I crossed my arms over myself, more for protection than defiance. "Alright then,let's have it,what possible explanation could you have, I'm listening."
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair, suddenly looking far less confident than the man who had kissed me minutes ago.
"It's complicated," he began.
"It always is," I snapped.
"I didn't marry Lydia for love," he said quickly, as if that somehow softened the blow. "It was convenient at the moment.
My father was sick, and marrying her was the only way of securing the family business,her father was wealthy and had the funds to stop us from going bankrupt. The pressure was intense, she was safe and it all made sense at the time."
The room tilted.
I stared at him, something cold settling deep in my stomach. "You married her because it made sense?"
"Yes," he said, leaning forward. "But it doesn't mean anything. Not like what I feel with you. Ann, seeing you again_it reminded me of who I was before I started making choices just to please everyone else."
My laugh came out sharp, almost hysterical. "Do you hear yourself?"
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You sound exactly like Leo," I said. The name tasted bitter on my tongue. "Exactly like him."
Andre stiffened,"Leo,who is that ?"
"My ex husband"I replied
"That's not fair Ann."
"Oh, it's more than fair," I replied. "Leo married me because I fit, because I helped his image,because being with me opened doors and every time I questioned his loyalty, he told me it was complicated that he was trapped. That he'd change."
Andre's mouth opened,he tried to speak but I shut him down,I wasn't done yet.
"I was the 'real love,'" I continued, my voice rising despite my effort to control it. "The one he came home to, the one he promised the future to and yet, I was the one standing alone when it all fell apart."
"That's not what this is," Andre insisted. "I would never do that to you."
"You already have," I said quietly.
He reached for me again. This time his fingers brushed my wrist, tentative. "Ann, I'm planning to divorce her."
I went very still.
"You're what?"
"I'll leave if you want me ," he said earnestly. "Soon. I just need time. Seeing you_it made things clear. I shouldn't have married her, and I won't stay in it."
The audacity of it stole my breath.
"You want a medal?" I asked. "For planning to leave the woman you already married?"
"It's not like that," he said. "Lydia knew what this was."
I recoiled as though he'd slapped me. "Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Don't erase her," I said. "Don't reduce her to a footnote in your love story with me. She's a person, Andre, a woman,and whether she married you for love or convenience doesn't change the fact that she didn't sign up to be collateral damage."
His face tightened. "You don't understand_"
"I understand perfectly," I cut in. "Because I've been her and I've been me. And neither role is something I ever want to play again."
I grabbed my purse, my hands trembling now. "You don't get to turn your moral compromise into my second chance."
"Ann, please," he said, standing abruptly. Heads turned. "Don't walk away like this."
I looked at him ,the boy I'd loved was still there, buried under ambition and justification. But the man standing in front of me was someone capable of choosing comfort over duty and calling it fate.
"I didn't survive my divorce just to become someone's secret," I said.
"I would never hide you."
"You already tried," I replied.
I turned and walked out, his voice calling my name behind me, each step heavier than the last, I didn't stop, I didn't look back.
By the time I reached Rachel's apartment, the tears had started falling without permission.
She opened the door and didn't say a word,just pulled me into her arms.
"I messed up," I whispered into her shoulder, unraveling what happened.
"No," she said firmly. "You didn't,stop blaming yourself"
I pulled back, wiping my face. "Seeing him ignited something in me. Something I thought was dead and for a moment, I can't believe I kissed him Rachel,he is married and he doesn't even see it as a problem,he is just like Leo,why do I always meet men like this?"
Rachel guided me to the couch, handed me a glass of water. "Desire doesn't make you a bad person, what you do with it does,and you stopped yourself when you found out didn't you?."
I nodded, tears slipping down my cheeks. "I did,but I want him Rachel,and isn't wanting him enough to hurt another woman?"
Rachel sat beside me, her expression soft but unwavering. "No Ann. And the fact that you're asking that question means you already know the answer."
I leaned back, exhaustion washing over me. "I can't do it,I can't hurt someone else like that,I know what it feels like to be cheated on.
"Then don't do it," Rachel replied.
But as I closed my eyes, Andre's voice echoed in my mind and I knew wanting him wasn't the problem.
Letting go would be.