Chapter 7 I rubbed my tired eyes and waved dismissively .
Im fine , really .
The perceptive shopkeeper offered me tissues and a cup of floral tea before turning to tend their flowers .
I sat quietly for a long while , letting my emotions settle .
Finally , I chose a bouquet of daisies and prepared to leave .
As I reached for my wallet , the shopkeeper stopped me .
This ones on the house .
I looked at them , confused .
They smiled softly , lost in memory .
Miss , I just remembered something Joseph said back then .
He told me someone might come asking about this order one day .
If she comes alone , give her flowers .
Tell her : Keep moving forward ; the starlight will light your path .
That day , I broke down completely at my mothers grave .
I never imagined he would reach out to me like this .
Never thought Id still need his comfort after all this time .
What must it have taken for him to leave those words with the shopkeeper ? I alone understood the meaning of if she comes alone .
It meant he was no longer here .
That evening , my colleague called .
Zoey , your flights booked for next week .
Whos your insurance beneficiary this time ? Your husband ? I shook my head .
Please list Doctors Without Borders .
Why them ? I sniffled softly .
Because he was their doctor .
As I stumbled out of the cemetery , I saw Jackson waiting .
He looked disheveled , unshaven , exhausted .
Wordlessly , he handed me a box .
Inside lay a camera the same model as my mothers .
Couldnt fix the old one .
We stood in silence , staring at each other .
I didnt take the box .
I didnt care how hed found me , or where hed discovered this 1994 camera .
What I treasured was already broken .
An identical replacement meant nothing .
Seeing my rejection , he rubbed his temples wearily .
Come home .
The weddings next week .
17:43 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 20.3 % 7 Chapter 7 .
Invitations are out .
If you keep making trouble , theres no fixing this .
I laughed bitterly .
Im the troublemaker ? He sighed , grabbing my hand .
Zoey , I know youre acting out because you love me .
You think I favor her , giving away your things .
But she demanded an apology .
I gave her that old camera to get her off your back .
You humiliated her publicly- I had to do something .
Looking at him , I felt a flicker of pity .
Jackson , I dont love you .
He froze , then his expression hardened .
Dont lie .
If you didnt love me , why look at me like that ? I chuckled softly, withdrew my hand , and touched his face .
Such a shame … Ill never see this face again .
His expression shifted with dawning realization .
You- His phone rang .
Sara .
He hesitated before answering .
Her voice came through , desperate : Jackson , Im leaving … Im sorry for causing trouble .
I just … got jealous of her .
Sara , where are you ? Dont come .
Go to her .
Shes your future .
The call ended .
Jackson thrust the box into my arms and ran , vanishing down the street .
I watched him go and sneered .
Lifting the box , I dropped the camera in a nearby trash can .
I was leaving too .
The next week flew by physical training , language review , story development , guide coordination .
Jackson kept texting from new numbers .
[ What did you mean that day ? ] [ Dont we have more to discuss ? ] [ Sara apologizes for what happened .
] [ Where are you ? ] I ignored them all .
The day before departure , he messaged : Weddings tomorrow .
Will you come ? I snapped my SIM card , grabbed my suitcase , and headed to the airport .
Sunlight streamed through the window as we took off .
From here to Nyaras capital , there were no 17:43 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 20.6 % Chapter 7 direct flights .
Id transfer in the Saharah Kingdom almost twenty hours total .
Time enough for memories .
Pulling down the airline eye mask , I whispered : Joseph , Im coming back .
I miss you so much .
20.8 % Chapter 8
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