All Chapters of My Other Half: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The ocean stretched endlessly before the beachfront restaurant, its waves whispering secrets against the shore. The air carried the tang of salt and the faint sweetness of blooming jasmine, mingling with the anticipation that hung over Luca as he paced the sand. His polished loafers left shallow imprints, erased quickly by the tide. For days, he and Elle had orchestrated every detail of this moment the proposal that would bind his future to Claire’s. The restaurant, with its glass walls reflecting the fiery hues of the sunset, was the perfect stage. Its wooden deck was adorned with fairy lights that twinkled like stars, and the private beach below had been transformed into a romantic haven. A pathway of flickering candles led to a heart shaped arrangement of red roses, their petals vibrant against the golden sand. At its center, delicate string lights spelled out “Will You Marry Me?“Luca’s heart thundered in his chest. This had to be flawless.Elle, meanwhile, was going through her

ELLE’S POVThe days following the morning at Jack’s house blurred into a haze for Elle. She buried herself in work, avoiding his greeting texts, each one a reminder of the way his shirt had felt against her skin, the way his hazel eyes had lingered on her, heavy with unspoken words. She wasn’t ready to face him not after the pancakes, the lopsided banana heart, the way his voice had cracked when he’d asked if she’d forgiven him. Her heart still ached from last year, when he’d chosen Elena, when he had decided to marry her, but now, being back in town for good, the past was clawing its way back.Her phone buzzed on her desk, pulling her from her thoughts. A text from Claire “Engagement party planning meeting at Jack’s, 4 PM. You are going to meet Jack right ? Elle’s stomach twisted. Claire knew what was going on with her and Jack knew every detail of the heartbreak, the late night cries, the way Elle had leaned on Max to pretend she’d moved on. And to pretend to be her boyfriend Bu

ELLE’S POV The lake shimmered under the late afternoon sun, its surface rippling like a sheet of glass, reflecting the pine trees and the soft glow of the cabins nestled along the shore. Elle stood on the gravel path, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder, her stomach twisting as she took in the scene. Claire had insisted on this weekend retreat a bonding trip for the wedding party, she’d said, to “build memories” before her big day. But Elle knew better. Claire’s mischievous grin when she’d pitched the idea, the way she’d paired Elle and Jack for every planning task, screamed meddling.And now, here they all were, trapped in a cozy cabin for two days, with no escape from the pull of Jack’s presence.The crunch of tires announced the arrival of another car, and Elle’s heart skipped as Jack’s black Jeep truck pulled up, dust swirling around it. He stepped out, his broad shoulders filling out a black flannel shirt, jeans hugging his hips, his dark hair messy from the drive. His gr

The familiar hum of Elle’s hometown wrapped around her as she stood in her mom’s kitchen, the scent of roasted chicken and fresh bread filling the air. It was a week after Claire’s wedding, and the memory of Jack’s kiss in the barn his lips fierce, his hands possessive, his body pressed against hers still burned in her mind, setting her skin on fire every time she closed her eyes. The kiss had been a storm, raw and desperate, pouring a year of love and regret into one moment, but it hadn’t erased the past. Jack’s choice to stand by Elena and leave her, the supposed pregnancy, the town’s whispers still lingered, and so did the sting of Elle’s lie about Max. She’d admitted the truth, that Max was just a friend, a shield to hide her broken heart, but Jack’s hurt and flicker of anger had been clear. Now, back in town, the awkwardness between them was a living thing, a tangle of love, fear, and uncertainty about what came next.Her mom had insisted on a family dinner at their house, a

ELLE’S POVThe next few days were a blur. Max’s time in town was up, he’d been so good to everybody here ever since he came, him going back was so sad for Elle and everybody around. He had been staying at Her mom’s house, his easy charm making him part of the family now. But his visa was expiring, and he had to head back to Australia. Lila was a wreck, her eyes red, but she tried to stay strong as they all piled into Mom’s minivan to drive him to the airport. Elle sat in the back with Sam, Jack up front with Her mother, and Lila next to Max, their hands clasped tight, afraid of saying goodbye.Max stared out the window as the van rolled through town, the familiar streets blurring past, Main Street with its diner, the park where he’d played frisbee with Sam, the library where Elle sold raffle tickets. He’d come to this small town on a whim, a chance to help a friend out and that had been fulfilled and he also got to meet the love of his life because of that decision. But now, his c