The Anotomay of Regret Ex, Know Your Place Chapter 08

The Anotomay of Regret Ex, Know Your Place Chapter 08

The Best Revenge 

After the formal event ended, there was a reception 

Maya was talking to a book blogger when she felt at presence behind her. 

“Maya,” Jonathan’s voice. “Could I talk to you for a moment? Privately?” 

She turned. 

His expression was unreadable. 

“I’m in the middle of-” 

“Please. Just five minutes.” He cut her off. 

She excused herself from the conversation and followed him to a quiet corner near the back of the store. 

“What is it?” she asked. 

Jonathan looked at her for a long moment. “Your answer to that question. About why you worked with me.” 

“What about it?” 

“Was it true? That you chose to work with me because it showed you how much you’d grown?” he asked. 

Maya thought for a moment. 

“Partly,” she said. “But also because I wanted to prove something. To you, to myself, to everyone who thought I’d never get over you. I wanted to show that I could sit across from you–even virtually–and not fall apart. That I could take your editorial notes and make my book better without needing your approval.” 

“And did you? Prove it?” 

“Yes,” she said simply. “I did.” 

He nodded slowly. “You were never invisible to me. I know that’s what you felt, and I know my actions made you feel that way. But you were never invisible. You were the most vivid thing in my life, and that terrified me.” 

Maya felt something twist in her chest. “Jonathan-” 

“I’m not asking for anything,” he said quickly. “I’m not trying to talk about the past or make excuses. I just needed you to know that. You deserved to know that.” 

“Why?” she asked. “Why does it matter now?” 

“Because I read your book,” he said softly. “I saw myself through your eyes. And I hated that person.” 

“Good,” Maya said. “You should.” 

“I do. And I’ve spent the last eight years trying to become someone different. Someone who never run when things get hard.” 

“That’s great, Jonathan. I’m happy for you. But it doesn’t change anything between us. 

“I know,” he said. “I’m not asking it to. I just… I needed you to know that working with you on this book, seeing your strength and your clarity and your refusal to make yourself smaller–it’s been humbling. You deserved better than I gave you. And I’m sorry.” 

Maya looked at him, seeing something she hadn’t expected. 

Genuine remorse. 

“Thank you for saying that,” she said. “But Jonathan, your apology doesn’t undo the damage. It doesn’t erase the years I spent questioning my worth, wondering if I was too much or not enough. It doesn’t give me back the version of myself I was before I learned to make myself smaller.” 

“I know.” 

“And I don’t forgive you. Maybe someday I will, but not today. You’re my editor, and you’re good at your job, and that’s all you need to be,” she said coldly. 

Jonathan’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Okay.” 

They stood there for a moment, the noise of the party distant around them. 

“Your book is going to be huge,” he added. “I hope you’re ready for that.” 

Chapter 3 The Best Revenge 

“I’m not,” Maya said. “But I’ll figure it out.” 

“You always do.” 

He walked away. 

Watching his retreating figure, Maya felt lighter. 

Simone approached. 

“What was that about?” she asked, concerned. 

“Closure,” Maya said. “I think.” 

“How do you feel?” 

“Tired. Relieved. Ready to go home,” Maya said flatly. 

“Then let’s go.” 

Two weeks later 

The book launched on Tuesday. 

By Friday morning, it was #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. 

Maya’s phone rang instantly, 

Her inbox was flooded with messages from readers- some thanking her, some sharing their own stories, some asking for advice. 

On Saturday morning, she woke up to a text from an unknown number: 

[Congratulations on #1. You earned it. -J] 

She stared at the message for a long time before deleting it. 

Six months later 

Maya was in her apartment, working on her next book–a psychological exploration of how people. rebuild after betrayal. 

Her phone rang. 

It was Claire. 

“Maya! I have some news!” 

“What’s up?” Maya asked. 

“Jonathan is leaving Kensington House. He’s taking a position at a smaller press in Boston.” 

Maya felt a strange flutter in her chest. 

“When?” she asked. 

“End of the month. He’s been planning it for a while, apparently. Wants to focus on literary fiction, work with debut authors. It’s a good move for him.” 

“That’s… good,” Maya said. 

“He asked me to tell you that if you want to stay with Kensington for your next book, they’ll assign you a new editor. But if you’d prefer to follow him to the new press, he’d understand. He said the choice is entirely yours, and either way, he wishes you the best. 

Maya smiled. 

“Tell him thank you,” she said. “But I’ll be staying with Kensington. I’m working with Sarah on the new book.” 

“I’ll let him know. And Maya, I think working with you changed him. He’s been different these past few months. More present. More… human.” 

After they hung up, Maya sat with the news. 

*He is leaving.* 

*I Hope he’d found whatever he was looking for.* 

she opened her laptop and returned to her manuscript. 

She had a deadline in three months, and this book was going to be even better than the last one. 

*I’d learned something important.* 

*The best revenge isn’t making someone regret losing you.* 

*Just built a life that belonged to youself, making their absence become irrelevant.*