Page 126 of Wasted Grace

I meet his gaze. No grin this time. Just... honesty.

“Because you’re not the only guy who’s fucked it up with the love of his life.”

Lucian’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Well... what didyoudo?” Lucian asks. “And towhom?”

I know this is a mutual landmine we’re about to step on. His bride is the very reason I might never get Greesha back. But I push through. No more masks. Not tonight.

“Greesha,” I say her name like a prayer. It comes out low and reverent, like something I’ve held in my chest too long. “She was my girlfriend. When Aarohi left for Canada and...” I glance at him and offer a dry smile, “metyoursorry ass.”

Lucian lets out a reluctant laugh, shaking his head. I can tell he’s bracing for more.

I go on. “The night of Aarohi’s farewell party... I was drunk. And I made a stupid comment about wanting to kiss her goodbye.” My voice falters, a small crack forming. “Greesha heard me. And she left. Just... ended it. No explanation. Justgone.”

My chest tightens at the memory—how blank her face had been the next morning. How her eyes were glassed over, cold. But I know better now. That was armor. She was hiding the damage I’d done. Protecting herself with detachment because she didn’t want me to see her bleed.

I can’t bring myself to look at Lucian.

“You...” he says carefully. “You hurt your girl because you had unresolved feelings for Rohi?”

I nod. “She left because I hurt her. Because I had... unresolvedconfusion. Not... notfeelings—at least not real ones. It was just... protectiveness. Misplaced, misguided, and mistaken for something else. Somethingromantic.”

I hear Lucian sigh. “I don’t think Rohi saw it that way. You were a friend. You were there for her when—”

He stops abruptly. And I wonder what memory holds him. “What?”

“She once told me how you were always there during her breakups and... when her family was being cruel,” he says humbly as though remembering something.

“I don’t know if I’m crossing a line but... I once overheard her saying she was done. Witheverything.”

Lucian nods, a fearful shadow crossing over. “She was... suicidal for a while, yes.God!I can’t imagine being in her shoes. The way people treated her. Making comments about her body. And then I made things worse.”

I give him a slow nod. “Yeah, which is why the whole protectiveness thing started. And when she was here after breaking up with you? I didn’t know if she was back in that state. My head was muddled. I was...grievingGreesha. And made a mistake.”

I sit up straighter, spine stiff with guilt. “I don’t think I ever apologized to you, Lucian. Aboutthatnight. I’m sorry.”

He stares at me, surprised. “We were broken up, Advik. I don’t blame you. Orher. I never did.”

I sigh. “Well, I blame myself for sleeping with her while I was grieving the woman I love who was...”Dead. “Gone.”

He leans forward, running a hand down his face. “Jesus Christ. I always wondered why you didn’t fight for Rohi, given your history. Now I think I get it.”

I chuckle softly, the sound bitter. “Yeah. Because I never would’ve fought for her in the first place. You had nothing to worry about.”

Lucian looks at me, something gentler softening his voice. “And... Greesha?”

My throat tightens. “She’s theonlyone I’d fight for. But I might’ve already lost her. For good.”

We lapse into silence. The weight of it settles between us—heavy, unspoken, and real.

I’ve carried this truth for three years. I’ve finally said it out loud to a person I hadn’t expected. But it doesn’t sting any less.

“Huh!” Lucian says suddenly, a dry chuckle escaping. I glance at him as he continues. “So I wasn’t theonlysad fuck during Vikram’s wedding.”

He grins, trying to lighten the air.

I offer a crooked smirk. “Guess not.”