Chapter 4:My Big Heart

Sera’s POV 

Adrian strides towards me, Ivy in tow. The crowd parts, giving way to them until they stop in front of me.

“Sera?” Adrian breathes, eyes raking down my body. 

Tears well up in my eyes, Ivy’s diamond glinting at me, mocking me. 

“Ivy, h-how could you?” I whimper, blinking hard so the tears don’t fall. “You could’ve told me.”

Ivy rolls her eyes. “Oh stop being a baby, Sera.”

“Really?” My lips wobble.

Adrian glances around, all eyes are fixed on us. “Come on,” he says. “Let’s go somewhere more private.”

I walk behind them, Adrian’s hand rests on Ivy’s back. The sight taunts me, it hurts me.

Grabbing my phone, I shoot a text to Laurel, asking her to wait with Ezra for a bit. She replies with a thumbs up, and I shove my phone back into my bag.

We round the corner, Adrian leading us into a room. It’s tiny and dark until Ivy flicks on the light. 

Being this close to them, I take in Adrian. He’s bigger than the media paints him out to be, taller too. 

Tattoos crawl up exposed arms, some peeking out from beneath the collar of his shirt. His dark hair is styled messily, falling over his eyes… and his green eyes… the resemblance between him and Ezra is uncanny.

“What are you doing here, Sera?” His voice pulls my eyes away from his body.

Ivy snorts. “She came for closure.”

“Ivy,” I gawk, surprised at what’s going on. “I don’t understand. Did I offend you?”

“Closure?” Adrian scoffs.

“I’m tired of your whining, Sera. Adrian this, Adrian that… I am so fucking tired,” she snaps.

My heart skips a beat, eyes stinging. “That’s a lie, Ivy. I’ve never asked about him until I heard about the engagement.”

“And so what?” Adrian asks. “You came to see if it was true?”

“Adrian…” I hiccup, my voice weak. “I j-just—”

Ivy shakes her head at me. “Sera, move on! Adrian and I are in love, and we’re going to get married.”

“I’m not trying to stop you—”

“You ditched me, Sera! You just…disappeared on me, and now you want closure?” Adrian hisses. “Did you give me the chance to ask for closure?”

By now, the tears are already streaming down my face. I struggle to wipe them, my breath coming out in short pants.

“You hurt me, Adrian, but that’s fine.” I sniffle. “It’s in the past.”

Turning to Ivy, I speak. “You didn’t have to hide it from me, Ivy. I thought we were best friends?”

“Not anymore.” She shrugs, face blank.

“Is that why you ditched me outside?” I gasp, swiping my wet cheeks again. “Is that why you ignored my calls and texts while I was being embarrassed outside?”

A humorless laugh rips from her throat. “You never always get the hint, Sera.”

“Who embarrassed you?” Adrian asks, eyes flashing.

I shrug. “It doesn’t matter anymore, does it? I made it in, although I should’ve taken the embarrassment as a sign not to attend this.”

“Yeah, you should’ve.” Ivy nods, rolling her eyes. “Like I said, you never get the hint.”

The lump in my throat thickens. “I guess. Now it’s glaring, isn’t it? I have one question though…”

“I really don’t care, Sera.”

“Ivy,” Adrian murmurs. “You never told me you and Sera were still in touch.”

“That’s because we weren’t,” Ivy replies. “She was always the one calling me, texting me…”

A bitter laugh spills from my lips, a tear rolling down my face. I sniffle, and wipe it away.

I wish I could say Ivy is wrong, but she isn’t. I was always the one checking in on her, always the one to reach out… and that’s the problem I’ve always had.

I’ve always put in so much in every relationship, I only know how to give, and give…and just fucking give my everything.

What do I get in return? Heartbreak, ingratitude, betrayal.

I guess I never learn my lessons… and I never take the hints.

My mom used to tell me that my big heart will only get me killed, and here I am…doing the same thing and reaping the exact same reward. 

And I can’t even be mad.

“How long have you both been together?” I ask Adrian.

His jaw ticks, grip tightening in Ivy’s hands. “It doesn’t concern you, Sera. You left me, remember?”

You cheated! Those are the words I want to scream over and over again at him. But I’m not here to reopen old wounds.

“Of course, how dare I ask?” I press my lips together, head bobbing. “I came for closure but I guess I’ve gotten more than I bargained for.”

Ivy rolls her eyes, flicking her wrist to check the time. Adrian only stares at me, wordlessly.

So, I continue. “I didn’t come to fight any of you. It’s good to see you, Adrian. And I wish you both a wonderful home and relationship.”

Adrian holds a hand out, but thinks better of it. He squeezes it into a fist, and it falls at his side.

“It’s good to see you too, Sera.”

Ivy doesn’t say anything, she doesn’t even look at me. I dig into my purse and pull out a napkin.

Dabbing my wet eyes and cheeks, I open the door. “I’ll be out now. Good bye, Adrian….Ivy.”

Adrian’s jaw ticks, green eyes swimming with words he wants to say but doesn’t. I don’t stay to find out though, instead, I walk out.

The chatters and music that meet my ears are a necessary distraction. I’m typing on my phone, trying to figure out where Laurel and Ezra are, when a high pitched voice stops me.

“Aunt Ivy!” 

I whirl around to find Ezra running up to Ivy, Laurel grabs him on time and he shrieks.

Adrian stands just outside the door I walked out from, a deep frown on his face, eyes darting between Ezra and Ivy.

Ezra sees me from across the room, goosebumps prickle my skin because I know what’s about to happen.

And it does.

“Mommy!” Ezra cries, breaking away from Laurel’s grip and his little legs run to me. I squat to his level, catching his tiny body in time to pick him.

“Hey baby,” I whisper. 

Laurel crosses over to my side, but Ezra refuses to go to her.

“Mommy, that’s aunt Ivy!” Ezra points at Ivy who despite looking pale, still glares at both of us.

I push his hands down, avoiding Adrian’s gaze. “No pointing. Come on, let’s go.”

”Wait!” I freeze at Adrian’s voice. He steps closer to us, my heart drops. “Mommy?” He asks me, staring at Ezra.

“Urm…” I clear the thickness from my throat, offering a shaky smile. “He’s my son, but we’ve got to go now.”

Adrian ignores me, smiling up at Ezra. “What’s your name, buddy?”

Ezra grins, dimples popping. “Ezzy!” 

“Ezra,” I correct. Adrian glares briefly at me.

“How old are you, buddy?”

“Four!” Ezra holds up three fingers.

I feel the tension that arises between us. Adrian’s jaw flexes, his eyes drag up to mine.

“He’s four, Sera,” he says, voice low. “I’m going to ask you once, and don’t think of lying to me.”

Cold sweat drips down my spine, and I swallow.

“Who’s son is he?”