Jaimie never thought she'd find herself driving toward Taguig, to the quiet café Dominic now managed—one that used to be his mother's favorite breakfast spot before her passing.
She needed space, yes.
But she needed clarity more.
And she couldn't go to EJ. Not this time.
EJ would see what he always saw: a man he could replace.
But Dominic?13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ5PV2Q48m
He was different now. Softer. Resigned.
A man who had already let her go—and had no reason to lie.
He smiled when he saw her, ushering her to a quiet corner of the café's rooftop. The sun was starting to set, golden light washing over the terracotta tiles and the smell of coffee in the air.
She didn't beat around the bush.
"I don't know if I'm angry, or scared... or just stupid," she whispered, stirring her untouched cappuccino. "I went to talk to him. I was ready. I saw him smiling with someone else. That shouldn't have hurt... but it did."
Dominic didn't speak right away.
He let her sit in her silence.
Then he said, softly, "Love doesn't switch off just because logic tells it to."
She looked up, eyes raw.
"I'm so tired, Doms. I don't want to fall for the same story twice."
He reached over—not to touch her, but to anchor her.
"I won't tell you what to feel. But I do know this—" he met her eyes, "—you never loved me the way you loved him. And I stayed anyway, because I thought one day, I'd get that same look from you."
Jaimie inhaled sharply, but he shook his head gently.
"I'm not bitter. Just... finally at peace."
She blinked back tears.
"Why are you being so kind?"
"Because that's the version of me you made. And because if he's smart, he'll fight for you the way I never had the courage to."
She reached across the table and held his hand, just for a moment.
And that moment—
That was what Tedd walked in on.
He had come only to deliver the dino sketchbook Samleft at his place. He didn't expect to see Dominic's hand in hers, the light between them soft and warm and too familiar.
He didn't wait.
Didn't ask questions.
Didn't call her name.
He stormed across the rooftop, fists tight, breath ragged—
And punched Dominic square in the jaw.
"Are you kidding me?!" Jaimie screamed, jumping up as Dominic staggered backward, stunned.
Tedd stood over him, eyes blazing, breath wild.
"You think now's your chance? That just because I messed up, you get to swoop in again?!"
Dominic wiped his lip, calm despite the sting.
"I don't need to 'swoop in,' Tedd," he said coolly. "I already had her once. And I let her go."
"You don't get to touch her," Tedd growled.
"I didn't," Dominic said. "But I could've."
That only made it worse.
Tedd lunged again, but Jaimie stepped between them, both arms wide.
"Enough!"
Her voice cracked the sky.
"Jesus, what are you—fifteen?!"
Tedd's jaw clenched, but he backed off. Just a step.
"You think I'm not hurting too?" she shouted at him. "You think I didn't want to fall into your arms the moment I saw you again? I was going to forgive you, Tedd! But then I saw her—and I remembered how easy it is for people to say one thing and do another!"
"I wasn't flirting—" Tedd began.
"It doesn't matter!" she snapped. "What matters is that you didn't fight for me when I needed you the most. And now that someone else is giving me clarity—not love, not attention, just truth—you throw a punch like that solves everything?"
Tedd looked at her, truly looked, and saw something deeper than anger.
Disappointment.
He stepped back.
Dominic stood slowly and said nothing.
Jaimie turned to Tedd with a voice far softer than her fury.
"Get out."
And he did.
13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAagIvmLrym
