All In No Regrets Except Losing Her Chapter 04
That night, I get back to my dorm and Zane’s sitting on my bed. Waiting.
I freeze in the doorway.
“What are you doing here?”
His jaw is tight. Eyes hard. He’s barely holding it together.
“The events office called me. You didn’t cancel the ceremony. You moved it to the day after tomorrow?”
So that’s what this is about.
I kick off my shoes. Don’t look at him.
“Yeah. But I already sent you back the deposit money. Check your account.”
He looks like he’s about to explode. Holding it in with everything he’s got.
Then he snaps.
“You can’t wait a few years? Seriously?”
“Quinn, is your whole life just about this ceremony? Is that all you are? You that desperate to be someone’s wife?”
He stands up. Gets in my face.
“The Circuit guys are superstitious as hell. You know that. Right now everything’s fine. But if something goes wrong and they trace it back to us breaking a bet — that’s on me.”
“I’ve been protecting you this whole time. You think it’s easy keeping my position? Why can’t you just be smart about this?”
Then he turns and walks to the door.
“I’m not picking up any more calls from the office. Cancel the ceremony yourself. If there’s no groom standing there, the only one looking stupid is you.”
“I’m leaving for Sinclair Manor tomorrow with Ivy and the guys. The Legacy Game. Gone about a week. Use that time to cool off.”
The door slams.
I stand there. Listening to his footsteps fade down the hallway.
Then I walk to the door. Punch in the keypad.
Change the code from our anniversary to my birthday.
Next morning. Zane calls.
“Quinn. I’m in the parking lot. Not leaving for another hour. You wanna come… see me off?”
Every other time he left campus for a Circuit trip, I was there. Rain or shine. Every single time.
“Not today. I’m busy.”
Silence on the other end. Then his voice goes softer. Gentler.
“Look — I was heated last night. Don’t take what I said too seriously. I promise, after graduation, I’ll give you the best ceremony you’ve ever seen.”
“And if Ivy wants to bet you again that day?”
Dead silence.
Then his voice shifts. Annoyed.
“Quinn. You’re still hung up on that.”
“I’m not hung up on anything. I’m just saying — if bets matter more to you than promises, then stop making promises.”
Long pause.
I call his name. Soft.
“Zane.”
“Yeah?”
In the background, I hear a car engine starting. Doors being loaded.
I smile. Just barely.
“These three years. Thank you. I mean that.”
Through the noise, he sounds confused.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I keep my voice light. “Have a safe trip. All of you.”
“Okay.” He pauses. Like something doesn’t feel right. His tone shifts — careful, almost soothing. “Quinn, don’t worry. I won’t—”
Before he finishes, Ivy’s voice cuts in, bright and sweet: “Zane! Come on, we’re loading up!”
I hang up.
Open my phone. Find the family group chat — the one both our parents are in. The Legacy Ball planning chat.
Delete. Leave.
Silas calls.
“I’m downstairs.” His voice is low. Warm.
“Tomorrow’s the big day. Coming to pick you up for your dress fitting.”
“Okay.”
I grab my bag and walk out. Light on my feet.
That night. Sinclair Manor.
Kai is sprawled on a couch in the main hall, scrolling his phone. Then he shoots upright.
“Holy shit.”
He shoves his phone at Zane.
“Dude! Quinn posted on her story! She’s — she’s doing the ceremony tomorrow!”
Zane rubs his temples. Doesn’t even look up.
“Let her.”
“I’m not going back. Let’s see who she finds to stand up there with her.”
Kai’s sweating. Can barely get the words out.
“The — the guy. The one she’s doing it with—”
“Just — here. Look for yourself.”
He pushes the phone into Zane’s hand.
Zane glances at the screen. Casual. Bored.
Then he stops.
His pupils shrink to points.
He’s on his feet before anyone can react. Ivy’s voice calling after him — confused, sharp — but he’s already gone.
Sprinting out of the manor like a man on fire.