The Week Before Forever Novel

I collapsed onto the couch when I got home and woke up after dark.I reached for my iPhone and saw an Instagram Story Emily had posted half an hour ago.“First time taking such a long train ride. Even though I’m going home, my feelings are complicated.Thank you for protecting me and giving me the courage to face everything. @JulianArch”The photo showed scenery outside the train window.In one corner of the picture, a slender hand was holding a bottle of Evian.On that hand was the engagement watch I had given Julian—a Patek Philippe.Just then, my screen lit up with an iMessage from Julian.“Just arrived. Her parents are difficult. Don’t overthink it. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”After spending an entire day traveling thousands of miles with someone else, he finally remembered to reassure me.I stared at his avatar. It was taken outside our law school building, him lifting me overhead, smiling with youthful confidence.He had never changed it all these years.My finger hovered for a second, then I opened settings and blocked him.Two days later.My best friend Chloe FaceTimed me and invited me to her birthday party.Half an hour later, I arrived at our usual rooftop bar.Chloe had already ordered drinks. As soon as I sat down, I heard voices from the booth next to us.“What is Julian thinking? Wedding’s next week, and he’s going back to his hometown with another woman now?”“Shh… keep it down.”“What’s there to be afraid of? Jane isn’t here.”“Honestly, someone like Emily is wife material—soft, delicate, gentle voice. What guy wouldn’t like that?”“Jane’s too strong. Being with her must be stressful.”“She’s a star lawyer at the firm. At home she probably interrogates people like criminals.”“Julian’s a free-spirited architect, yet she keeps him on a tight leash.”“Exactly. If it were me, I’d choose Emily too. That innocent look—damn.”One of Julian’s friends chuckled softly.“Enough, don’t talk nonsense. They’ve been together ten years. You think they’d break up over this?”“Julian’s just soft-hearted, helping out, that’s all.”I stopped listening and tilted my head back, finishing my martini in one gulp.As I set the glass down, I saw Emily walk in.She came straight to our table, carrying a gift bag.“Jane… you’re here too?”She looked surprised, then handed the bag to me.“I just got off the train. I heard it’s Chloe’s birthday, so I brought some local specialties…”Chloe rolled her eyes. “Who invited you? Take it away. I find it dirty.”Emily flushed. “I don’t mean any harm. I just wanted to congratulate—”“Congratulate what? Congratulate you on stealing my best friend’s fiancé?”Emily looked at me, eyes brimming with tears.“Jane, there’s really nothing between Julian and me. Don’t be mad at him…”“Are you confused?” I sneered.“Addicted to playing the drama queen?”“You’re the one who did wrong. Why should I be the understanding one?”“I—I just don’t want you two fighting because of me…”“The wedding is coming up. I don’t want Julian to be unhappy…”She stood there awkwardly.“I’m not like you. I have no family background, no connections.”“Every step I take is hard. I just want to hold on to Julian as my lifeline…”“If you know it’s hard, you should know self-respect.”“If you know he’s about to get married, you should know boundaries!”I stood up, my presence overwhelming.“You enjoy his kindness while playing innocent in front of me.”“Emily, is this act of yours specially meant to disgust me?”“You privileged girls… is this how you look down on people?”She wiped her face hard, suddenly grabbed the bottle of Dom Pérignon Chloe had just opened, and rushed toward the exit.She ran straight into a group of people coming in.“Emily?” One of them recognized her.“What happened? Who bullied you?”Emily shook her head, tears in her eyes, and looked past them—straight at Julian, who had just returned.“What’s going on?” Julian rushed over.