2. Being up the Past

Briony smiled to herself as she read the latest chapter of her novel, which she published on Little Sparks last night. She even clapped to herself and cheered triumphantly.

 

"I'm brilliant! Look at how many fireflies I've earned! No wonder my novel tops the daily popularity charts. Readers must be thrilled and can't wait for the next chapter. Oh, and there are already thousands of comments!"

 

She checked what her readers posted there.

 

"Men like Xander don't deserve a chance. Just put him in a sack and throw him into the ocean! Let him be eaten by a shark!"

 

"Xander is a true narcissist! How could he think Brisia still loved him? Does he think he's the most handsome in the universe? If I were Brisia, I would have vomited all over his face!"

 

"Come on, Brisia! Prove that you don't need a lousy man like Xander! Throw him to the farthest planet! Remember how he used to treat you! Make him suffer worse than you!"

 

Briony smiled with satisfaction at the outpouring of emotion in the comments section. She was proud that readers were so supportive and on her side.

 

"You're right. Brisia doesn't need Xander. She can live without him. Now, she's happy with a new dream. To become a successful writer with many supporters," Briony murmured, her eyes filled with emotion. Bitter memories flashed through her mind. Before she sank into the past, she straightened her back and took a deep breath. "Enough, Briony. Don't dwell on the past. Let's write a new chapter! The readers are waiting."

 

Briony's hands hovered over her laptop keyboard. Her mind was ready to concoct the next chapter of Brisia and Xander's story. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was her breakfast, Briony's face lit up.

 

"Wait a minute!" She approached the door to get her chicken salad. However, as soon as the door opened, her cheerfulness vanished. Her breath hitched.

 

There, a man stood with his fists clenched tightly. His face was grim. His eyes were piercing.

 

"Alexander?" Briony sighed as her sanity returned. Not wanting to get involved with the man, she quickly closed the door. Unfortunately, Alexander had already blocked the door with his arm.

 

"Alex, what are you doing here? You don't want to see me again, remember? So, leave! I don't want anything to do with you anymore!" Briony shouted, pushing the door to close. Unfortunately, Alexander managed to hold it.

 

"You said you didn't want anything to do with me anymore?" The man snorted. Then, after a jerk, Briony stumbled backward. The door swung open and Alex entered, looking menacing. His voice boomed, "Then why are you writing about us?"

 

Briony was shocked. Her jaw dropped open. Unwilling to explain what she had done, she put on an innocent expression. "Write what? I don't understand what you mean. I-"

 

Briony gasped. Her eyes widened. Her hands thrashed against the strong hand that was now gripping her neck. "Hey .... W-what are y-you doing?" she asked desperately.

 

"Explain it to me! Why are you bringing up the past? Do you want to insult me? Or curse me?" Alex's voice was deafening.

 

Briony blinked in confusion, her brows knitted together. "B-bring up what? I didn't do anything."

 

"Don't act stupid! You think I don't know? Summer Breeze is you!" Alex revealed Briony's pen name. His grip tightened.

 

Briony struggled to breathe. She couldn't answer anymore. Her face grew redder, her nails scratching Alex's arms. At the same time, Alex pushed her until her back was pressed against the wall. His rough hands now locked her arms, preventing her from moving.

 

"Stop treating me like a fool! I know very well that Brisia is you and Xander is me. You also disguised Caroline's name as Carrie," Alex snapped.

 

Briony was panting. She occasionally coughed. When her oxygen levels returned to normal, she snorted cynically. "You haven't forgotten me, huh? You're still watching my every move?" she muttered, making Alex's blood boil even more.

 

"Your book is a bestseller from my rival company! How could I not know? You're the one who's still watching Caro and me. What's your goal, huh? Are you trying to tarnish Caro and me? Do you want to bring us down?" Alex accused her.

 

Briony shook her head. "Am I not allowed to write based on my own story? Yes, the initial idea for the book was about our relationship, but the rest is just my imagination. It's a made-up story."

 

"Is that so? A made-up story? But why is everything you wrote true? My wedding on the beach, my honeymoon in Lofoten, the apartment I gave to Caro, and even the name of my child. Could it all be a coincidence? Or are you trying to vent your envy of Caro through your cheap book?"

 

Briony frowned in displeasure. "Watch your mouth! My book isn't cheap. I wrote it with a lot of effort."

 

"The effort of stalking your ex, you mean?"

 

"I never stalked you!" Briony retorted, irritatedly. "Have you forgotten? You were the one who was boasting about your warm wedding, your romantic honeymoon, and your luxurious apartment. And I just found out now that you actually named your child Andrew. I should be the one asking now. Why did you use the name I chose?"

 

"He's my son. It's up to me what I want to name him."

 

"The same goes for my book. It's my own story. It's up to me to write the plot," Briony replied in the same tone. "Now let me go. I'll ...."

 

Briony winced. Alex had just jerked her body and pressed her even tighter against the wall.

 

"Do you think you can get away with it? Explain what your motive was in writing that story! You're jealous, aren't you? You hope my marriage is unhappy? That's why you're telling the story of her having an affair and our marriage being ruined?" Alex demanded.

 

Briony tried to break free, but failed. Alex's strength was too big. Before she could protest, Alex continued, "Just so you know, Caro and I have a happy marriage. We're on good terms. So your imagination will never come true. Even until the end of time, I will never kneel before you."

 

"I don't expect you to kneel before me either. Because I don't need your apology! Now let me go! It hurts," Briony pleaded, wincing.

 

However, Alex kept cornering her. "Not until you admit your mistake and promise to delete that damn book."

 

Briony's eyes widened. Her irritation was growing bigger. "Are you crazy? How could I erase the fruits of my labor?"

 

Alex gritted his teeth. His tone was sharp and piercing. "You refuse? You want to keep cursing Caro and me through that book?"

 

"Curse what? I just want to create-"

 

"Nonsense!" Alex snapped arrogantly. "Just admit you're jealous! I'm happy with Caro now, while you're suffering alone. If you don't delete that book-arghhh!"

 

Alex suddenly stepped back and bent over. His hands were covering his groin. He hadn't expected Briony to attack that spot with her knee.

 

Meanwhile, Briony stood tall. She was proud that she had escaped her ex's clutches. She was also satisfied to see him in pain.

 

"Listen to me carefully, Mr. Alexander White. I've never been jealous of your wife. I'm actually grateful she stole you from me. I'm free from toxic people like you and your mother. Now, I have my own life. If you've read my book, you should know that I have already had a lover who is much better than you. So please get out of my house and don't ever bother me again!" Briony said firmly.