After Meeting My Ex at My Friend's Wedding

The autumn wind, wrapped in the fragrance of osmanthus, drifted through the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows. My fingers tightened slightly around the glass, and my gaze crossed the bustling crowd to fall on that familiar yet unfamiliar figure. It was Kevin Louis. Five years had passed, and we finally met again. The occasion was Rachel Scott's wedding, a dear friend to both of us. He was wearing a dark gray suit, his posture a little straighter than before. The contours of his side profile were still sharp, but there was an indescribable melancholy in his eyes. He seemed to see me too, his footsteps pausing for half a second. No wave, no smile, not even a superfluous glance. We were like two strangers with no connection, turning around and merging into different crowds. Yet I could feel something quietly surging in the air. Unspoken words, unresolved pasts, and old scars hidden deep in the heart. The wedding ceremony was perfect. Rachel, in her pure white wedding dress, had happiness shining in her eyes. Sitting in the guest seats, watching the newlyweds exchange rings, I suddenly remembered that many years ago, I had dreamed of this too. Only then, the person by my side was Kevin Louis. As the reception ended, guests left one after another, but Rachel held my hand, refusing to let me go. "Wendy, it's been so long. Let's go somewhere else. I want to talk to you," she said, her tone earnest. I nodded and followed her to the hotel terrace. The evening breeze was cool, dispelling some of the alcohol's effects. Rachel fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. "You saw Kevin earlier, didn't you?" I ran my fingertips along the glass, not denying it. "You two... still didn't talk?" "There's no need," I said softly, surprised by how calm I sounded. Rachel sighed, looking at the neon lights in the distance. "Over these five years, Kevin has had a few girlfriends." I lowered my eyes, pretending not to care. "All of them had a little bit of you in them." My heart trembled slightly, but I didn't look up. "Some loved white roses, some had shoulder-length hair, and some even spoke in a tone just like yours." "Until he met Yvonne Wade," Rachel paused, continuing. "Yvonne is nothing like you. She's lively, outgoing, loves to laugh and play—completely different from your inherent quietness." "I've never seen Kevin so patient or doting with anyone before." "They say this time, Kevin is truly in love." My hand holding the glass finally steadied. "That's good," I said with a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. Rachel looked at me, wanting to say more, but in the end, she just patted my shoulder. After saying goodbye to Rachel, I walked alone on the street. The streetlights stretched my shadow long, and my thoughts uncontrollably drifted back to five years ago. Back then, Kevin and I were both young, full of passion and enthusiasm.