Stamped, But Not Real

Vincent froze, like he'd just remembered Serena existed.

He opened his mouth to say something, but she beat him to it.

"I'm their friend," she said, calm and steady.

He glanced her way—expression all tangled up—but with Maggie clinging to his side, he kept quiet.

People looked confused but let it slide, waving her over to join the group.

Old friends, same energy, like nothing had changed.

Vincent jumped right in, laughing, chatting, and carefully fixing a plate for Maggie—making sure to leave out the onions she hated.

Serena sat beside them, wearing her 'just a friend' mask.

Midway through, she ducked out to the bathroom.

On her way back, a voice from inside stopped her.

"Vincent, be real. While Maggie was gone all those years, did you ever catch feelings for someone else?"

The room went dead quiet.

Everyone turned, waiting.

Maggie jumped in fast. "Okay, let's not do this. I was gone forever—it's normal if he liked someone else..."

She tried to smile, but her eyes were shiny, and the smile was barely hanging on.

Vincent's chest tightened. His voice dropped. "No. I never liked anyone else."

Maggie finally cracked a real smile through her tears and tucked herself into his arms, all shy and glowing.

The group burst into cheers and teasing.

Serena didn't say a word.

She slipped out and called a cab home.

***

A few hours later, Vincent showed up carrying a wasted Maggie.

He laid her down gently. Her arms looped around his neck, loose and clingy.

"Vincent, don't go. If I hadn't left back then, maybe there wouldn't be a Serena. I'm the one who should be in those wedding pics with you. We're the real thing, right? Please... don't leave me..."

He froze.

Maggie leaned in and kissed him.

Right then, Serena opened the door.

She stopped, stared for a beat, then turned and walked away.

Anyone else would've broken down.

But maybe she'd already seen it coming.

It didn't sting the way it should've.

Vincent panicked, shoved Maggie aside, and ran after her.

"Serena, wait—let me explain. She—"

"I get it. She's drunk. Go take care of her. I'm not gonna cause a scene."

Her voice was calm, her eyes honest—and that's what wrecked him.

Something shifted. Slipped.

"Why aren't you mad at all?" he choked out.