The River of Regrets

Instead, he said, "You go in first. I need to pick someone up."

As soon as I stepped into the private room, the lively chatter immediately quieted. Everyone turned to look at me with a mix of surprise and discomfort.

Someone whispered, "Why is she here?"

"Didn't Rowan say this was supposed to look like her welcome-back party but was actually a celebration for his new baby?"

Their voices were hushed, but my hearing had always been sharp. I heard every word.

"Angela, come sit over here!"

A friend of mine waved me over with a smile. He was someone I used to be close with—one of the few connections I shared with Samantha. Yet now, it was clear he knew all about Rowan and Samantha's situation.

Not once in the past year had he mentioned any of this to me, despite our conversations.

Suppressing the turmoil in my chest, I walked over and took a seat.

It wasn't long before Rowan entered, Samantha following closely behind.

The room's atmosphere instantly shifted as people came alive, offering gifts and bouquets to them.

Rowan quickly raised a hand and laughed. "Stop giving things to me—you should be giving them to Angela! She's the guest of honor today!"

His words felt like a cruel performance. I caught Samantha shooting me a sharp glare, her expression laced with hostility.

They were all lying to me. Keeping secrets. Treating me like a fool.

These were people I had once trusted, who had told me over and over that Rowan and I were meant to be together.

The emotions swirling inside me became too much to contain. I stood and headed to the restroom without a word.

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm the storm in my heart. When I looked up, Samantha was standing behind me, her reflection glaring back from the mirror.

"You saw my message yesterday, didn't you? Angela, Rowan doesn't love you. Let him go, okay? Please, for the sake of what we used to have, just let us be happy."

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, Samantha suddenly pulled out a knife and slashed her wrist in one swift motion.

Blood poured from the wound, staining the tiles beneath us. She dropped the blade to the floor and turned her tear-streaked face toward me.

"Angela, Rowan and I truly love each other. Why are you hurting me?"

Before I could even process what had just happened, Rowan burst into the restroom.

"Angela, are you insane?"

He stormed toward me, shoving me aside to cradle Samantha in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Rowan," Samantha whimpered weakly, her face pale and trembling. "Angela asked if we were together, and I couldn't hold it in. I told her the truth, and she lost control."

Rowan's anger exploded as he glared at me.

"Angela, how could you be so vicious?!" he shouted. "Yes, Samantha and I are together! What does it have to do with you?"

I stared at them in disbelief. One of them was my closest friend. Samantha had promised to take care of Rowan for me before I left. "Don't worry, Angela," she'd said. "I'll look after him for you."

And Rowan… Before I left for school, he'd told me, "Wait until you finish school and come back, then we'll be together."

But now, it was clear they had deceived me. Had they planned this all along, even before I left?

But why? Why did they lie to me? If they truly loved each other, why couldn't they have been honest with me? Why go to such lengths to hurt me?

"Angela, you've always caused trouble, and I let it slide. But now you've gone too far! Apologize to Samantha!" Rowan demanded.

"I didn't cut her," I said firmly, meeting his furious gaze.

This wasn't the Rowan I knew. He had always believed me and trusted me. But now, he hurled accusations as if I were a stranger.

"You're still denying it? I saw it with my own eyes!" he roared.

"Rowan, let it go," Samantha whispered weakly. "I'm fine. Let's just go to the hospital."

"No!" Rowan snapped. "She needs to apologize. I've had enough of pretending this past year. It's time to settle this once and for all."

Their coordinated performance was almost laughable.

These were the two people I had trusted most in the world. Now, they stood united, tearing me apart.

"Fine. I'll apologize," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Turning to Samantha, I forced the words out. "Samantha, I'm sorry."

Rowan's next words cut deeper than I ever thought possible.

"Grovel and apologize properly. Samantha is my fiancée now. I won't let anyone mistreat her."