Semua Bab Why Panic When It's Too Late?: Bab 1 - Bab 10

10 Bab

Chapter 1

There were a few comments under Dylan Zimmer's latest post from Nadine Sullivan's friends—people I followed too."Damn, Nadine's really something, huh? She just casually transfers 10,000 dollars like it's nothing.""I just saw Zayn's post. Nadine only sent him 100 dollars. It looks like Dylan means way more to her than Zayn ever did."For a few seconds, I just stared blankly at the screen. Earlier this morning, Nadine messaged me saying she was swamped with work and couldn't make it home to celebrate my birthday today.Then, she transferred me 100 dollars with a message that read, "I love you."And just like that, seven years together was made to feel like the punchline of some sick joke. In Nadine's eyes, I was only worth 100 dollars, while Dylan was worth 10,000 dollars.Later, Dylan posted another video. This time, it was taken at a karaoke bar. Nadine was in the frame, looking into the camera with an affectionate gaze as she sang a love song.The people around her were che

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Chapter 2

Love, once tainted, could never return to what it once was.…Nadine still hadn't come home by nightfall. Meanwhile, Dylan had been flooding his social media feed with videos, giving me a clear view of what they were up to.Today was his first official day on the job, and Nadine was out celebrating with him at a fancy restaurant, with some expensive-looking dessert—the whole nine yards.And in that moment, the line between love and indifference had never been clearer. It would have been a lie to say it didn't hurt. But I wasn't going to get angry at her like I used to. I was too tired for that now.Instead, I walked into my bedroom and started packing my things. Technically, it was the master bedroom—our shared room.But honestly, Nadine had barely been around since we moved in together. Some months, I could even count the number of nights she spent here on one hand.She always said that work kept her busy. But I knew exactly where she was—out having fun with Dylan.I wasn't

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Chapter 3

It turned out that Nadine and Dylan had been fooling around behind my back more than I even realized.In truth, she and I had already argued over Dylan once. There was that one time she got drunk, and he carried her home.I was furious, of course. The next day, she brushed it off, saying, "Why are you always so paranoid? Dylan's just a resident at my hospital. "He only just graduated. He carried me because I'm the senior doctor assigned to him—that's all. He's not like you. He doesn't overthink everything."She always compared me to him. To her, Dylan was perfect. And me? I could never get anything right. Whatever I did was always wrong.I stopped listening to the gossiping nurses and turned to leave.This would have been the last time I'd ever see Nadine. After today, we'd have nothing to do with each other.I walked toward the office, reaching for the door knob, then froze.Laughter spilled from inside. "Stop tickling me! That really tickles!""Nadine, were you always that

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Chapter 4

"Zayn, why don't we have dinner at Dylan's tonight? He's actually a great cook," Nadine said.Realizing she might have misspoken, she hurriedly added, "Well, he usually brings his own meals, but I tried his cooking once. And honestly, it was pretty good.""Yeah, Zayn. You have to come! I'll get off work early and cook for you. I promise you'll love it!" Dylan said with a smug grin, looking right at me.I knew exactly what he was up to. "Alright, I'll come."He blinked, clearly surprised. He'd invited me over before, but I always declined and wasn't exactly thrilled about it. After all, he didn't mean anything to me. I simply didn't want to go to his place for dinner.But now, I'd moved past it. Besides, I was leaving tomorrow, and I didn't want to start any conflicts with Nadine at such a crucial moment.…After Dylan requested an early leave to go home, Nadine did the same. She even took me shopping for a watch that cost 100 dollars."This is your birthday gift. I wanted to br

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Chapter 5

"Oh, I'm just planning a little trip," I said offhandedly, making up a quick excuse.I'd thought about leaving many times before, and every time, I told Nadine. But once she caught wind of it, there was no way out. She would always stop me.Honestly, I never understood why. She'd already cheated on me. Wouldn't it be easier for her if I just left?Nadine looked confused, though. "But he said he's going to rent a place for you.""Maybe he messed up his words. He probably meant he booked a room for me. I'm only going for two days."With that, she let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, then. When are you leaving?""Tomorrow."Dylan cut in at this moment. "Let's eat first. Today's all about making up for your birthday, Zayn." …After dinner, Nadine and I went back home together. She kept stealing glances at me, trying to hide it but failing miserably."You're really not mad, right? I'm just Dylan's senior doctor. He's always been decent to me, so I got a little closer to him.""I'

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Chapter 6

But hadn't Nadine already stopped loving me?"I'm breaking up with you. Nadine, I don't want this to go on anymore," I said.The moment those words left my mouth, I felt a strange lightness wash over me. We'd been together for seven years, but only the first two were truly happy.The last five had been a slow drift. She had been constantly pulling away and becoming distant. And during that time, I said nothing. I just endured it quietly.I convinced myself that if I didn't say anything, perhaps our love would somehow hold on.But I forgot one thing. Once love turned sour, the whole foundation crumbled—slowly but surely."Are you breaking up with me?" Nadine's eyes widened in disbelief, and those once beautiful eyes were now filled with shock."Yes. I'm breaking up with you.""Zayn, I'm giving you one last chance to take it back. I can still pretend that you never said a thing."But I stood firm. "No. I'm breaking up with you."She slapped me hard, and the sharp sting burned a

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Chapter 7

"As long as you say yes, I'll treat you right for the rest of my life. I'll love you until we grow old," Nadine said.But now, she was saying those words to someone else. As it turned out, promises only carried weight in the moment they were spoken.When I landed, someone from the company came to pick me up. They'd already arranged a place for me to stay while I was here.I'd just finished showering and was about to rest when my phone rang. It was Nadine.Her voice was furious. "Zayn, you liar! How dare you leave? I never agreed to break up. Who said you could just walk away?""I never promised you that I wouldn't leave, so I wasn't lying." Her yelling didn't faze me anymore. I stayed calm throughout."Whether we've broken up or not, we're done. You have no say in the matter. You cheated on me, after all. And don't think I don't know about you and Dylan."She couldn't even find the words to respond.I let out a bitter laugh. "That's it, then. Seven years. Over."I hung up and

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Chapter 8

Nadine's voice softened. "I know why you're mad. It's because I gave Dylan 10,000 dollars, right? He's a resident doctor under me and has helped me a lot. That's the only reason I gave him that much."I sent you 100 dollars because we're practically an old married couple. It was just a symbolic gesture. There's no need to give you more since our finances are shared anyway."Unbelievable. She had a way with words, I'd give her that.Somehow, she always managed to twist the truth until it felt like I was the one at fault.But she must've forgotten—she had never actually shared a cent with me. When she was in a good mood, she might have bought me a gift or picked up some things for the house.But when she was in a bad mood, I received nothing.She even once asked me to sign a prenup. "I'm scared you'll leave me someday. I have to protect myself, don't I?" she'd said. "Nadine, do you really take me for a fool? Let's forget about the money for now. But how about the rest? "The hou

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Chapter 9

"I saw every single one of Dylan's Instagram posts," I said.Nadine's face went pale in an instant.Harry had called me yesterday. He told me that Nadine only reached out because Dylan convinced her that I left because of money. She had no idea I'd seen Dylan's Instagram feed myself.I pulled out my phone and handed it to her. She scrolled through a few posts, and she went still. Her face stiffened with every swipe. "I… Would you believe me if I said it was just a moment of weakness?"I almost laughed."So, the ever-composed Dr. Sullivan has a ridiculous side after all. Ask yourself this—does your heart even believe what you're saying?"Nadine, cheating is cheating. Just admit it. I'll gladly step aside so you and Dylan can be together.""Zayn, I'm sorry." Tears spilled down her cheeks almost instantly. "I know I messed up. What I had with Dylan was just a fling. I don't love him. You're the only one I care about. I swear I'll change. I won't mess around again. Please… can y

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Chapter 10

"Nadine, do you remember how hard you used to work to become a doctor?"Nadine was caught off guard by my question.I smiled faintly. "That's the version of you I fell in love with.Back then, she was like wild grass—battered by storms, but never broken.She threw herself into her studies, hunted for jobs, and pushed forward no matter how many times she hit a wall.Even on her worst days, she'd come home and tell me everything—laughing, venting, dreaming. We were genuinely happy back then."You were once strong, unshakable, and pure. But now… you're a different person altogether. You're tainted, and I can't love you anymore."You keep asking me to forgive you, but do you have any idea how many chances I already gave you?"Her eyes widened slightly. "What… are you talking about?""You started cheating five years ago. Dylan wasn't even the first."I took a breath, letting the memories resurface. "There were a few men before him. I knew about all of them. "But I never confront

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