The Duke's Wedding (a free rein fanfiction)

Leaving

Zoe's pov

Her mom was staring at her, waiting for Zoe to say something. She didn't, instead she sipped on a cup of tea that her Grandad made. It was cold, she had left it sitting for a while, and she didn't put her usual sugar or milk in it. Instead she drank it without anything extra.

She wasn't in the mood to talk about what happened. Or why it all happened. She couldn't explain why she did all of it, it all felt like a dream now.

She hated it.

Finally her mother broke the silence. "Well, you want to tell me what happened?" He mom pulled her hair into a ponytail.

"Not really." She sipped more tea, grimacing. She preferred coffee but there was not any in the house.

"Well that's too bad," her mother's voice was soft. "Because you're going to. Now."

Zoe nodded. "I tried to break up Pin's wedding."

"And why would you do that?"

She didn't speak for a while. Why had she done it? Why did she try to ruin their day?  She wasn't sure the full reason.

"Well? Why did you?"

"Because it isn't fair that he gets to have a happy ending and I don't." She screamed back. "Why does he get a good marriage? Why didn't he want me?" Zoe wasn't sure if she meant pin or her ex Davy. He had decided they needed a divorce. Not her.

She was crying now. Her head on her arms, she spilled her tea. Everything left her system. "We were supposed to end up together."

Her mother wrapped an arm around her, stroking her hair.

"Sweetie, you left pin. And he moved on. You should be happy for him." She said gently. "You acted like a brat, you need to apologize."

Zoe nodded. She knew she needed to. Publicly and privately.
"He responded to the media hating on you. Faye as well. Look at it sweetheart."

Zoe did and cried more. She didn't deserve their kindness.

She stood up and went back to her old room. Slowly, she put all her things into her suit case. Taking great care in packing. She thought about what she would say to them. About what she was going to do.

She spent a long time packing.
~~~
Pin's POV

The days in the sun were very nice. Without the bitter wind of the island. But the happy couple were missing their kids a lot.

They hadn't checked on the media, only a text from Gaby saying that the hate Zoe was getting was significantly reduced since their messages.

But for some reason, the last night at the beach and the night before they went to wales for the remainder of their honey moon, they decided to check their socials.

They saw zoe had posted on Twitter, and all the other social, and had tagged them. It read

"To Duke and Duchess Hawthorne,

I have behaved in the worst way possible. I would like to apologize for my horrible behavior. You two truly are a beautiful couple, and I should've congratulated you rather than try and ruin a happy day. I understand if you can not forgive me, I do not think I will be forgiving my self for a long time, however I wanted to share that I understand what I did wrong and I'm sorry.

The past few years my life has been a train wreck. But I realize that it was due to my actions instead of others. This is not me trying to excuse my actions, but rather explain that I have not been happy in a long time. And I took that out on you two.

Congratulations on your wedding, you looks absolutely terrific together."

Pin and Faye looked at each other and smiled softly.
~~~
Zoe's POV
4 Months later

Zoe walked the beach of sunny California. Her feet were in the water as she walked and she noticed tiny crabs running away from her. Better than at her she supposed.

For the last few months she had done a lot of thinking. She re-examined her life choices. Moved out of her parents house and into her own home. It was a one bedroom with one and half bathroom. It wasnt much but it was hers.

As she walked along the beach she saw the house she used to live in. Without thinking too much she walked up to the stairs up to it, then to the front door where she knocked five times exactly and felt that it was weird to do.

Within a few seconds Davy opened the door.

"Zoe, what are you doing here?" He asked, not angrily but rather gentle. His dark braids were pulled back. He looked good.

"I was wondering if we could talk?" He nodded and led her in.

When they got divorced he had gotten the house, it was only fair since he had owned it prior. They had barely been dating when he bought it. And he had rarely changed it since she moved out.

They sat on the soft sofa, the pillows and blankets were different but she helped pick this seat. She nestled into it's comfort.

"What went wrong?" She didn't need to elaborate.

From the look in his brown eyes he knew what she meant.

"Are you sure you want to go there?"

She nodded. "Please."

"Alright. You were never there for me." She must've looked hurt because he continued quickly. "I mean emotionally. Physically we were training our horses together. Or swimming. Or whatever. But you never cared about my mental health. Even when my sister died, you barely said anything. You didn't show up to the funeral with me, you were too busy training."

She flinched. He continued. "When we got married, it was rushed thing. I loved you, but we had only been going out two months Zoe. I didn't realize it would all be about you all the time. I felt guilty for feeling how I did, especially after triton. But I couldn't stay in this marriage after Laurie's funeral. That hurt too deeply. "

Zoe looked at him, her heart hurting from how badly she treated him.
"I'm sorry Davy. You deserved better."

"Thank you for apologizing, and I forgive you. I did a while ago. You just never cared about how others felt, if it didn't effect you it didn't matter. But I'm glad you can see the wrong doings you did, and that you realize you should've done things differently. I saw your tweet I think it takes a brave person to do that."

She smiled and they talked for a while longer. When she left he handed her a box full of silverware. He said they were for her, she needed them.

She walked home holding the box close to her chest. Knowing that this was the right path, she needed to grow and intended to be better.