Backup Girl No More: Adios to my V-card and My First Love (Brooklyn) novel Chapter 85

Chapter 10 

Luke’s mother had been my neighbor when I first ran away from home, still learning to navigate adulthood. Her kindness and wisdom had been a lifeline. 

She’d introduced me to Luke when he was eighteen – a rebellious youth who despised education. 

We weren’t close initially. 

Everything changed when his mother fell terminally ill. 

In her final days, she’d asked me to watch over Luke if possible. Like a fool, I’d promised. 

So I entered Luke’s life, somehow connecting with that angry young man. 

The next nine years revolved around him. I thought I’d more than fulfilled my promise by then. 

“Yvonne? What’s on your mind? The guests are waiting.” My mother’s gentle squeeze brought me 

back to reality. 

My father had thrown an extravagant celebration for my return and impending marriage into the Sterling family. 

Brilliant chandeliers made faces blur, while constant chatter and camera flashes created a dizzying atmosphere. As I tried to retreat, Gavin stepped in front, shielding me. 

He offered a gentle smile. He seemed genuine – perhaps in another life, meeting him first would have changed everything. 

Overwhelmed by strangers, I stayed sober but feigned tipsiness to escape outside. The clouds had dispersed, leaving a cold moon and scattered stars. 

In the moonlight, I saw him approaching. Luke, inevitably. 

He looked haggard, while Mandy sparkled in her dress, clutching his arm like a parasite. 

“Come back,” Luke said flatly. 

I turned to leave, too weary to argue. 

His grip on my wrist made me flinch. 

65.6% 

Chapter 10 

“Let go!” 

“What will it take to get you back?” His eyes were wild, bloodshot. 

I almost laughed, but even smiling felt exhausting. 

Mandy’s saccharine voice floated over. “I’m so sorry, Yvonne. This is all my fault. Please forgive 

Luke, he loves you.” Her theatrical tears were perfect. 

The distant party’s warmth contrasted sharply with the cold night. “Luke,” I sighed, “we can’t go 

back.” 

“What are you saying? Nine years together – what were those to you?” 

“You want money, right? I can be richer than Gavin!” 

His desperation was almost comical. “When you left me alone through those abortions, while vacationing with Mandy – what did those nine years mean to you?”