15!You're damaged!

 Sylvia 

The banquet was in full swing. Laughter echoed through the hall, glasses clinked, and the smell of rich food filled the air. Everyone seemed happy. The staff were relaxing, smiling, eating, and enjoying themselves.

But even with all the noise and celebration, my mind wasn’t completely there.

I couldn't stop thinking about Logan.

Ever since I bumped into him at the hospital weeks ago and met him again at my father's funeral, my thoughts had been drifting to him more often than I wanted to admit. I tried to push the memories aside, although the memories weren't something I had enjoyed but instead regretted. I still longed to see him. After all, he was my first love. I had sent out invitations to all the top sponsors of the hospital, and I made sure he got one too.

So where was he?

I scanned the crowd, trying not to be obvious. The hall was filled with important people, doctors, investors, and community leaders, but no Logan.

 As I was walking around trying to see if he was anywhere here, suddenly I heard some raised voices near the entrance.

Curious, I excused myself and walked toward the commotion.

There he was, Logan, half-drunk, arguing with two security guards who were trying to stop him from stumbling in.

"I have an invitation," he slurred, waving a folded paper in the air. "Let me in. I’m not just anybody."

"Sir, please step back. You’re not in the right state," the security yelled, trying to hold him

"I'm fine!" he barked, swaying.

I rushed over. "It’s okay," I told the guards. "I’ll handle this. You can let him go."

They looked at me hesitantly but stepped aside. "If he causes trouble, we’ll be close," one of them warned.

I nodded and grabbed Logan by the arm, guiding him out of the banquet hall.

"Hey," he said, blinking at me. "Sylvia? You're… you look… wow, you’re glowing or something."

"Logan, what are you doing here like this?" I asked, annoyed but also worried. "You should’ve stayed home."

"I came for you," he said, his voice thick. "I thought maybe you'd… I don’t know… be happy to see me."

I shook my head, frustrated. "Come on. I’m taking you home."

"Are you my driver now?" he smirked.

"Tonight, yes," I said, sighing.

The drive to his place was quiet. He leaned his head back against the window, humming to himself like nothing mattered. But for me, the silence was loud. Every street we passed brought back memories, late-night drives, weekend takeouts, even stupid fights over what music to play, we had with our friends during high school.

When we got to his mansion, I parked the car and helped him out.

He stumbled a bit as we walked to the door. "You still remember the way, huh?" he said, smirking again.

"Some things don’t change," I replied, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Inside, the house smelled like whiskey and expensive cologne. I dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and turned to help him take off his jacket.

Then, without warning, he kissed me.

I froze.

For a second, it felt like time stopped.

Then I snapped out of it and pushed him away. He fell backward and landed on the couch with a groan.

"Logan!" I said sharply.

He laughed bitterly. "I ruined everything, didn’t I?"

"Yes," I said, crossing my arms and glaring at me.

“79*79&:&79”+It's not like you didn't enjoy it,” he said with a smirk on his face.

“Don't even go there,” I rolled my eyes at him.

He sat up slowly, rubbing his face. "Kate left me. The second she got out of the state, she broke up with me."

I said nothing.

He looked up at me with bloodshot eyes. "She said I was too damaged. Said I had feelings for you."

I turned away, unsure of what to feel. I didn't want to listen to anything he had to say. I knew he didn't have feelings for me, he was just used to me being around. Part of me wanted to scream at him. Part of me wanted to comfort him. But I did neither.

"You should get some rest," I said softly.

"Don’t leave," he mumbled. "Please. Not tonight," he pulled me back as I was trying to leave.

My instincts screamed at me to go. But my heart… it still cared, even if I didn’t want it to. So, I grabbed a throw blanket and sat on the edge of the other couch.

"I’ll stay. Just for tonight," I whispered.

The sun peeked through the curtains. I stretched and sat up, realizing I had fallen asleep curled on the sofa. My neck ached, and my mind was still foggy.

Then I heard movement in the kitchen.

Logan walked out, a glass of water in his hand. His eyes met mine, but the softness from last night was gone.

"You’re still here?" he asked flatly.

I frowned. "You asked me to stay."

He scoffed. "I was drunk, Sylvia. I don’t even remember half of what happened."

"Really? You remember enough to be a jerk first thing in the morning."

"Look," he said sharply. "You can go now. I don’t need pity from you."

My heart sank. But I wasn’t shocked.

"I didn’t stay because I pity you, Logan," I said, standing. "I stayed because I thought… for a second… you needed someone."

He rolled his eyes. "You think you’re a saint or something? You think just because you saved a couple people at a hospital, you’re better than the rest of us?"

I grabbed my bag, done with the conversation. "I don’t think I’m better than anyone. But I know I’m better than this."

“You have always tried to make me love you Sylvia, I don't know why you keep forgetting that I don't love you.”

“Ha ha ha,” I laughed, surprised at his words.

“Why are you laughing?” 

“You think I'm in love with you?”

“You always have been Sylvia and I don't think it would change.”

“You're so full of yourself Logan.”

“No I'm not, just stating the obvious.”

“I think you're just trying to console yourself because I left you, then Kate left you. You're truly damaged Logan and you should sort yourself out.”

He didn’t say another word.

I walked to the door, opened it, and turned around one last time.

"You had a chance to be different. I really hoped you would be. But I guess some people never change."

With that, I slammed the door shut and marched down to my car.

As I drove to the hospital, anger bubbled in my chest. I had no tears left to cry for Logan. What happened last night was a reminder, no matter how soft my heart might be, I needed to protect it.

When I arrived at the office, the staff were already getting ready for a new day. Everyone was smiling, talking about how successful the banquet was, and how proud they were to be part of something meaningful.

I took a deep breath, fixed my coat, and walked inside.

Whatever had happened with Logan… it was over.

I had bigger things to focus on.

And nothing, not him, not Maryann, not Emily, was going to stop me from building the future I deserved.