Jewel sat in her car outside her best friend Nadia’s apartment, the engine still running, music low. A song came on — the kind that held too many memories — and she just sat there, letting it bleed through her chest.

  She finally went inside.

  Nadia didn’t even say hello before noticing the look on her face. “What

  happened?”

  Jewel dropped onto the couch. “It’s real now. He’s really not mine.”

  Nadia sat across from her, giving her space to speak.

  “I saw them again. Amina and Chris. They weren’t even doing anything, just talking. Laughing. And I couldn’t breathe. It hit me all at once — he doesn’t look at me like that anymore.”

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  Nadia tilted her head gently. “You miss him?”

  Jewel’s eyes welled up. “I think I loved him, Nad. Not just now. I think I’ve loved him for years. I just… never said it. Never let myself feel it too loud because I thought

  I’d always have time.”

  She took a shaky breath. “But now he’s gone — not just gone, he’s happy. And I think that’s the part that hurts the most. He finally got everything I couldn’t give him… with someone else.”

  Nadia didn’t say I told you so. She just handed her a tissue.

  “You think it’s really over?” Jewel asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  “I think he waited long enough,” Nadia said gently. “And I think you’re just now waking up to what he’s already healed from.”

  Jewel nodded, silent tears falling.

  For the first time, she saw it clearly — all the nights he stayed, hoping she’d choose him. All the signals she ignored. All the almosts she never let become reality.

  And now?

  All she had left was what if.