Page 140 of Broken Destiny

Conversations softened.

Music seemed to fade into the background.

Then she turned in my direction.

And time stopped.

Jiya!

40

JIYA

My heartbeat drummed loudly in my ears as I scanned the crowd at the party. I did not know anyone here except for his family.

What would happen if I bumped into his family first? Would they ask me to leave? Would they create a scene and drag me out in front of everyone?

After all, it was his mother who had forged the evidence against me. They would believe her over me.

But not for long.

I had proof now.

The pictures of the letter I had written. The photographs of Caleb and Caroline. The recording of me dropping the money at his parents’ house. Everything was saved on my phone. All I needed was a few minutes alone with Caleb so I could show him the truth.

As I walked toward the bar, I told myself a drink—or maybe two—would help steady my nerves before I faced Caleb.

“Good evening, ma’am. What can I get you?” the young blonde barman asked politely.

“May I please have a per?—”

“—a perfect ten?” a familiar voice finishedfrom behind me.

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around, and my breath caught in my throat.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he said with a grin.

Harper.

What on earth was fate trying to do to me now?

My first boyfriend stood in front of me, looking almost the same as the last time I had seen him at his wedding, the very one I had attended with Caleb.

“Nyah Rodriguez,” he said warmly, leaning in to greet me with kisses on both cheeks.

“It’s Jiya Flores now,” I corrected softly, meeting his warm hazel eyes.

“You changed it back?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Almost four years ago.”

“Did everything finally get sorted out?”

“Finally... yes. What are you doing here?”

“Harper!” a loud voice called from behind us. “You made it!”