𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲'𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 | 𝐍. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐭𝐨𝐧 [ 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙲𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙽𝚄𝙴𝙳]

𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚘𝚍𝚎 𝟿

THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW

Nic sat alone. The weight of betrayal sinking in as he processed the revelation that Ja had orchestrated Wynter's intrusion into his life. He couldn't solely blame Ja, when he was the one who succumbed to Wynter's influence, allowing it to unravel his relationship with Autumn.

The bitter realization lingered that the friend he once trusted, had manipulated his emotions, leaving him to grapple with the consequences.

As he reflected on his feelings for Autumn, Nic's heart ached at the memory of the incident that cost his relationship with Autumn. For her, he had abandoned his playboy tendencies, reshaping his life to fit her dreams. The desire to marry her and build a future together had driven him to evolve into the committed partner she wanted him to be.

As Nic entered Starbucks, a surge of anger welled up at the sight of Ja. The memories of betrayal and manipulation played like a broken record in his mind. Yet, as he locked eyes with Ja, he took a deep breath, reminding himself that he wasn't the same person he was three years ago. The growth he had undergone and the positive changes he made for himself and for Autumn had flashed before him, creating a wave of calmness to wash over him.

"Surprised you showed up," Ja chuckled as Nic sat down across from him.

Nic shrugged. "I'm not one to back down. Especially not from this."

"So, what's up?" Ja asks. "You hit me up saying we needed to have conversation 'bout something, so let's talk."

"I need to know why you did it." Nic says, leaning forward.

Ja smirked. "I think it's pretty self explanatory as to why I did what I did," he says smugly.

"I didn't ask if it was self explanatory or not," Nic snapped. "If it so self explanatory, then you should be able to explain it. So start explaining before I cause a scene."

Leaning back, Ja crossed his arms and shrugged, "Look, I did what I had to do back then. You had what I wanted. I knew you were weak and easily manipulated back then, so I used that to my advantage, sent one of my sloppy seconds your way, and you fell for it. In the end, I got Autumn. I was happy. End of story."

Anger pulsated through Nic as Ja's words slowly sank in. "So, what? You saw me as a pawn in your sick ass game to get what you wanted? You used Wynter to mess with my relationship with Autumn because you thought I was an easy fucking target?!"

"I did what I had to do. I could see that you were trying to change for her, but I also knew that you were still weak. So, I used it to my advantage." Ja says with an unapologetic smile.

"What the fuck gives you the right to even play with someone's emotions like that? Autumn deserved better—."

"Autumn deserved better?" Ja chuckled. "Maybe she does, but that doesn't change the fact that I got what I wanted."

"You're proud that you fucked up so many people's feelings for your own gain?" Nic questioned.

Ja shrugs. "Survival of the fittest. You were just...collateral damage."

Nic scoffs. "Survival of the fittest? That's your pathetic ass excuse? You fucking manipulated all of us for your selfish ass desires! I love Autumn—."

"Love?!" Ja laughs mockingly. "Nic, please. You were never cut out for a committed relationship, nor are you capable of loving someone."

"And what does that say about you? You think you were cut out for a committed relationship? You cheated on Autumn because you wanted to have one last hoorah with Brooklyn, and now you have neither of them." Nic taunts.