Skip to contentChapter 230
Caleb waited, eyes fixed on his phone.
Later, when Skylar finally checked her messages after finishing her work, she saw his comment and responded calmly:
“Yes, I posted it. I’m married.”
The words hit him like a punch to the gut. His breath caught. For a long moment, he just stared at the screen, struggling to process what he’d read.
Married?
Everything inside him seemed to collapse. Caleb was utterly stunned—his world had just crumbled.
Desperately clinging to hope, he replied,
“You didn’t… you didn’t forgive that jerk, did you? Not because he begged you to?”
Skylar’s answer came quickly, firm and clear.
“No, it’s not him. I married someone else—someone my relatives introduced me to. We understand each other. Don’t worry, this time, I’ve thought it through.”
Tears stung the corners of Caleb’s eyes.
He had no more arguments left. All he could do was type,
“I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
When Alexander and John arrived home that evening, they found Caleb in his room, eyes red, his face puffy as if he’d just cried. Books that had once been scattered across his bed were now neatly stacked on one side.
Alexander and John exchanged a knowing glance. So this was it—Caleb’s first heartbreak.
Still, he seemed composed. For now.
Alexander stepped into the room. “What’s wrong?” he asked, even though the answer was obvious.
Caleb looked up at him, his voice slightly hoarse. “I’m heartbroken.”
John let out a small chuckle and said in a nonchalant tone, “That’s nothing. You can’t really call yourself a man until you’ve been through a few heartbreaks.”
Caleb shot him a look. “Right… and getting your heart broken over and over doesn’t make you romantic—it just makes you a flirt. That’s why your relationships don’t last. You and I are not the same.”
John raised an eyebrow. “Different or not, you’re still heartbroken, aren’t you?”
He was about to nudge Caleb playfully, but held himself back. The kid was clearly hurting.
Alexander, exasperated, gave John a light smack on the back of the head. “Be nice.”
John looked wounded. “Dad! What was that for?”
Alexander sighed. “You’re his uncle. Act like one.”
John defended himself, “Come on, Dad, he’s young. People his age fall in love left and right. Breakups are part of the deal. I’ve been through it. It’s normal.”
Caleb suddenly burst out, “It’s not the same. Skylar’s special. There’s no one else like her. I’ll never find someone better.”
He clenched his fists, trying to stop the ache in his chest.
John softened, remembering the pain of his own first heartbreak. “I know how you feel. Ten years ago, I thought the same thing. I was sure I’d never find anyone else worth loving. But time changes everything.”
Alexander added, “When you get to my age, you’ll learn how to let go. Life moves on, whether you’re ready or not.”
Caleb stared at both of them, blinking slowly. Then, with a strange calm in his voice, he said,
“It’s fine. I’ve already moved on.”
They blinked in surprise.
Caleb continued, “She’s married, and that’s okay. I can still be her younger brother or her friend. That kind of bond lasts longer than marriage, anyway.”
John and Alexander were stunned for a second—but Caleb wasn’t done.
His eyes narrowed with determination. “But if that guy ever messes up… if he’s stupid enough to let her go… I’ll be older, more mature—and I’ll be ready. I’ll marry her then. I’ll just wait for that day.”
John and Alexander exchanged glances again, speechless.
Well… that was one way to deal with heartbreak.
At least he wasn’t crying anymore.
Meanwhile, Joe arrived to pick Skylar up from work.
As Lucas drove them home, the couple sat comfortably in the back seat. Joe turned to her and asked,
“Want to eat out tonight or head home for dinner?”