Chapter 786

Lena didn’t answer. A few seconds later, she hung up.

I blinked, a little surprised. Guess she’d made up her mind. That was Lena for you—straight to the point, no second-guessing. Honestly, she was braver than me, like that.

Not that I hadn’t been firm before. When I dumped Jace, it was done. The random run-ins afterward? Not exactly my choice. Still, seeing Lena and Nate end like this? A bit of a downer, but I kept my mouth shut. Love’s like coffee—only you know if it’s bitter or sweet.

Lena’s phone buzzed again while we sipped tea. She glanced at it, saw the message from Nate: [Lena, I’m leaving.]

Her expression didn’t even twitch. “I’ll block him later,” she said casually.

“If you can’t do it, I’ll gladly help,” I teased, smirking.

She shot me a look—the classic “bestie, stop talking” glare. By the time we left with the package, Nate was still sitting in her inbox, unanswered.

On the ride home, Lena scrolled through her phone. I caught her hovering over Nate’s chat, skimming their old texts. After a second, she laughed, dry and sharp.

“What’s funny?” I asked, curious.

She handed me her phone. “Our whole chat history. Barely a few messages. It’s shorter than those annoying work group texts from work.”

I didn’t bother looking, just passed it back. “Well, you’re done with him. Why keep scrolling?”

Lena shrugged, then sighed. “Rea, do you think I’ve ever even been in a real relationship?” Without waiting for my answer, she blocked him, deleted his number, and put her phone away.

“Bold move,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “What if you need to reach him someday?”

She snorted. “He’s a heart surgeon, and I’m an OB. What would we even talk about? Unless his wife’s having a baby.”

“Or your future husband needs heart surgery,” I joked.

Her eye-roll was legendary. “You’re the worst bestie ever.”

Grinning, I bumped my head against hers. “Blocking him’s smart. Now he can’t spam you with one-last-chance texts.”

She didn’t reply, just stared out the window. I knew that look. Breaking up sucked, no matter how strong you tried to act.

When the car stopped at the Ace house, Lena inhaled like she was about to dive underwater. She glanced at me, and I squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle your mom. And if your uncle starts anything, I’ve got your back.”

She smirked. “Then eat double tonight. Consider it payment.”

Inside, her mom, Carol, wasted no time pulling Lena aside. I caught her pinching Lena’s arm—ouch.

“You brat!” Carol hissed. “I thought you weren’t coming!”

Lena winced, rubbing her arm. “What, were you planning to announce my disownment on Facebook?”

“Don’t tempt me.” Carol smoothed her clothes like a stylist on a mission. “Why are you dressed so plain? And where’s Nate? Didn’t he come back?”

Lena cleared her throat. “What’s he got to do with anything?”

Carol frowned. “Don’t tell me he’s busy with work again.”

Apparently, a breakup wasn’t even on her radar.

“Mom, we broke up,” Lena said.

No use dragging it out—if not today, she’d have to spill it tomorrow.

Carol froze, processing. Then she shrugged. “Fine. There’ll be plenty of cute guys tonight. Pick one you like.”