Chapter 3 Chapter 3 I answered the unknown number, and by the time I heard Dashiell's voice, it was too late to hang up. He sounded desperate, almost like he was crying: "Aurelia... I know I shouldn't be calling this late. But can you please come over?" Dashiell paused, his voice breaking: "I'm begging you... please?" My heart sank. I couldn't imagine what could make someone as controlled as Dashiell sound like this. In those few seconds, a hundred possibilities flashed through my mind. My body moved before my brain could catch up. By the time I said "okay," I was already putting on my jacket and grabbing my keys. I was panicking the whole drive over. I ran two red lights. I even fell on the stairs going up to his place. When I finally reached Dashiell's door, breathless and shaking, I saw him kneeling next to Thalia, looking all cozy and perfect. And scattered around the living room were all our mutual friends. When he saw me, Dashiell completely ignored the blood on my scraped knee and smiled casually: "Aurelia! Finally, you're here." He turned to Thalia: "See? Now I can prove it to you, right?" Dashiell raised his hand: 'I swear I'm never getting back with Aurelia, no matter what she does or how she tries to get to me!" Thalia's the only one I want now, the only one I love... even if my ex keeps trying to mess with us, I'm not changing my mind..." I couldn't hear the rest of what he was saying. I couldn't tell if it was the pain in my knee or the ache in my chest. My head was buzzing. Until Thalia giggled and interrupted: "Okay, okay That's way too cringey..." Her face was bright red. She stood on her tiptoes to cover Dashiell's mouth, saying all flustered: 16:22 Dear Hubby, Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Beg Instead of Burn Chapter 3 "Stop it already... I know you didn't mean to post the wrong video on your story... Dashiell, you're so cheesy Were you this gross with your ex too... dropping 'I love you' like every other word?" And there I was, getting dragged into it again. I couldn't keep up my polite smile anymore. My expression went ice cold. But nobody even noticed. Dashiell immediately grabbed Thalia's shoulders, explaining: "No way, I'm only like this with you. Ask her if you don't believe me." That's when everyone in the room turned to stare at me. Some looked sorry for me, others just pitied me. Dashiell and Thalia were both looking at me expectantly- "Are you guys done yet?" My voice was flat, and the whole room went quiet. "A good ex should act like they're dead. Didn't you know that?" Maybe because I'd always been so agreeable with Dashiell before, when my eyes met his, he looked panicked for a second. I pretended not to notice and turned to leave. I wasn't sticking around for this shitshow. 16.22 Dear Hubby, Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Beg Instead of Burn 16.4