Chapter 102: All in the past now

Chapter 102: All in the past now


The front door swung open with an easy creak, and Charlotte’s cheerful voice rang through the hallway before she even stepped in.

“Guess who brought the best cupcakes in town!” she announced, holding up a small white box as Riele and Jay stepped into the living room behind her, laughter already bubbling in their throats.

Utter appeared from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “You brought cupcakes and didn’t bring drinks to go with them? What kind of hospitality is this?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and handed the box to him. “You’ve got juice, don’t you?”

Jay chuckled and set his keys on the side table. “She’s got a point. Cupcakes are meant to be chased with something cold.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Riele offered, moving toward the kitchen, and Charlotte followed. They talked softly, moving around like they had done this a thousand times—comfortably, naturally.

Utter and Jay took seats in the living room, their conversation light, mostly filled with subtle jabs and shared laughter. There was a relaxed air between them, like old friends reunited after years apart.

Not long after, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Utter said, standing and making his way to the door.

When he opened it, his brows rose in surprise. “Well, well.”

Jane stood with Ian in her arms, Kim right beside her, carrying a tray wrapped in foil.

“We brought something for the table,” Kim said with a slight smile.

Utter moved aside, ushering them in. “Then you’re just in time.”

The group greeted each other warmly—though there was a moment of hesitation when Kim and Jay exchanged glances. But Jay broke it with a nod and a smile, and Kim, without missing a beat, returned it with equal sincerity.

Riele stepped out from the kitchen and her eyes widened. “Oh! You guys made it.”

“Couldn’t miss out,” Jane said, placing Ian gently down. The toddler immediately wobbled toward the coffee table, where some toys had been laid out for Hope. The little girl squealed, dropping her teddy bear as Ian joined her.

“He’s getting so big,” Riele commented.

“And fast,” Jane replied. She looked over at Charlotte. “Can I help with anything?”

Charlotte handed her a tray of cutlery. “You can help set the table.”

The dining table was quickly dressed—two kinds of pasta, baked chicken, steamed vegetables, and of course, Charlotte’s cupcakes. The group settled around, laughter already filling the room.

As they sat, Jane cleared her throat. “Before we dig in, can I say something?”

Everyone turned to her. Even Ian and Hope looked up curiously.

Jane swallowed and glanced down at her plate before meeting everyone’s gaze. “I just want to apologize. For everything I did. I let my desperation get the best of me, and I know I caused a lot of pain, especially to you, Riele.” She turned her eyes toward her. “And to you, Jay.”

The room quieted. Even the clinking of cutlery stilled.

Riele nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a faint smile. “Thank you for saying that.”

“And I mean it,” Jane said, voice cracking just slightly. “I’m really trying to be better—for Ian, for Kim, for me.”

Kim reached for her hand gently, then looked at Jay and Riele.

“I want to say something too,” Kim said. “I haven’t always handled things well. I was confused, hurt, and at times just… stupid. But I see things clearly now. Jay…” he turned fully to face him, “I know you’re good for her. And Riele, I’ve never seen you smile the way you do when he’s around.”

Jay gave a small, bashful laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. Riele looked down, cheeks pink with emotion.

Kim continued, “So, if you’ll let me… I’d like to be your best man.”

There was a collective pause.

Jay blinked. “Wait, are you serious?”

Kim gave a modest shrug. “If you’ll have me.”

Riele’s mouth fell open slightly. “Kim…”

Charlotte’s fork dropped with a dramatic clink. “Well, I was going to offer Jane to be the maid of honor, but that slot is already taken.”

Everyone turned to look at her.

Jane opened her mouth, ready to speak, but Charlotte raised a playful hand. “Sorry. I’ve been dreaming of walking down the aisle in a blush-pink gown holding a bouquet. I’m not giving up my slot.”

Everyone burst into laughter, including Jane, who nodded in defeat.

“Fair enough,” Jane said. “But I’ll be front row, cheering the loudest.”

As the laughter faded and everyone dug into their meal, the warmth around the table felt almost unreal. Hope squealed as Ian tried to feed her a piece of bread. The toddlers giggled endlessly while Harry watched from the corner like a quiet guardian, his lips occasionally curling up at their antics.

“So,” Utter said, slicing through a piece of chicken, “what’s the plan for the wedding? Big ceremony? Intimate beach vows?”

Riele exchanged a look with Jay, her heart fluttering.

“We’re still figuring it out,” she said with a soft smile. “But… we want everyone here to be part of it.”

Jay reached for her hand under the table and gave it a light squeeze. “It wouldn’t feel right without you all.”

Charlotte dramatically wiped a tear. “Stop it. I’m already crying and I haven’t even gotten my dress fitted.”

More laughter filled the room. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t scripted. It was real.

And for a long moment, Riele looked around, taking it all in—the people who had hurt, healed, and grown. The ones who had been there through every crack and break in her heart. And the ones helping her fill it back up again.

She had once imagined a life shaped entirely by pain and betrayal. But today, sitting at this table surrounded by family—some chosen, some destined—she realized that healing was never meant to happen alone.

Even Kim, who once haunted her nights, now felt like a closed chapter. He had found his path, and she had found hers.

And Jay… oh, Jay. His hand never left hers. His presence never wavered.

She turned to him, leaning in just slightly. “Thank you.”

He looked puzzled. “For what?”

“For choosing me.”

He smiled, eyes soft. “Always.”

From across the room, Kim caught that moment—the way Riele looked at Jay, the softness in her voice. He looked down at his plate, took a breath, and smiled to himself.

It didn’t sting the way he thought it would. In fact, it felt… right.

Jane leaned in, whispering to him, “You okay?”

He nodded. “I think… I finally am.”

And as the evening wore on, stories shared, old jokes retold, Hope and Ian dancing in their own little world. It was hard to believe there was ever a time when these people were at odds.

Here, in this warm space, forgiveness lived. And love… love had finally found its way home.