The Anotomay of Regret Ex, Know Your Place Chapter 09

The Anotomay of Regret Ex, Know Your Place Chapter 09

Meet Him Again 

Three Years Later 

Maya stood in the green room of a Los Angeles television studio, adjusting her microphone. 

Her publicist, Keisha, reviewed talking points on her tablet. 

“Remember, they’ll probably ask about the memoir again, even though you’re here to promote the new book. Just pivot back to Patterns of Resilience-” she reminded her. 

I know,” Maya said, smiling. “I’ve done this before.” 

“I know you have. But this is The Tonight Show. This is big.” 

It was truly big. 

Maya had become a public figure. 

Her second book was even more successful than the first one. 

She had built an empire on teaching people how to transform the pain. 

She was exhausted. 

Not from the work itself, but the constant performance of being the victor who had turned her trauma into the power moving forward. 

She was tired smiling for the cameras, giving interviews, and writing columns. 

“Five minutes, Dr. Wright,” a production assistant called out. 

Maya took a deep breath and followed her onto the set. 

During the interview. 

“Your first book was so raw and personal. Do you ever regret being that vulnerable? Putting your pain out there for the world to see?” someone asked. 

Maya had answered this question a hundred times. 

She had the response down pat. 

“I don’t regret it,” she said. “Writing that book was 

how I processed what happened. The response from readers–people telling me they saw themselves in my story and that it helped them recognize patterns in their own lives–made the vulnerability worth it.” 

“What about the man you wrote about? Have you had any contact with him since the book came out?” the one pressed. 

Maya kept her expression neutral. 

“We’ve crossed paths a few times at industry events. 

And we’ve both moved on with our lives,” she said calmly. 

“So, no dramatic reconciliation?” The host grinned. “I know the audience is dying to know.” 

The audience laughed. 

Maya smiled, playing along. 

“No dramatic reconciliation. Sometimes, the happy ending is simply moving forward. Building a life that doesn’t revolve around the person who hurt you,” she said. 

There was more applause. 

The interview wrapped up. 

The moment Maya was out of camera range, she felt the mask slip. 

Keisha was waiting in the wings. “That was perfect! 

You’re a natural.” 

“Thanks,” Maya said, forcing a smile. 

Back in the green room, she checked her phone. 

There were three missed calls from her boyfriend, David. 

She’d been seeing him for two years. 

He was steady and reliable, who taught literature at Columbia and had never made her feel invisible. 

She called him back. 

“Hey,” he said. “How’d it go?” 

“Good. The usual questions.” 

“Did they ask about the ex?” 

“They always ask about the ex.” 

He was quiet for a moment. 

“Does it bother you? That your whole public persona is built around that relationship?” he asked, worried. 

“Sometimes,” she admitted. “It’s strange, you know? I‘ ve written two books. I have a podcast. I do all this work on resilience and psychology. But people still want to talk about him. About what he did to me. Like 

that’s the most interesting thing about me.” 

“It’s not,” David said firmly. “Not even close.” 

“I know. But it’s what sells.” 

“Maya-” 

“I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I’m just tired. I’ll be home tomorrow.” 

After hanging up, Maya stared at her reflection in the mirror. 

She looked polished, professional, and successful. 

But she felt like a lie. 

Two months later 

Maya was at a psychology conference in Boston–her first time back in the city since Jonathan moved there 

three years ago. 

She had been careful to avoid Boston, turning down all invitations and keeping a careful distance. 

But this conference was too important to miss. 

She had expected he probably wouldn’t be at the conference. 

She was wrong. 

She saw him on the second day in the hallway between sessions. 

Their eyes met across the hallway. 

For a moment, neither of them moved. 

Then, he walked toward her. 

“Maya,” he said. “I didn’t know you’d be here.” 

“Keynote speaker,” she replied, gesturing to her conference badge. 

“Right. Of course.” He smiled. “Congratulations on the new book, by the way. I read it. It’s excellent,” 

“Thank you.” 

An awkward pause. 

“Do you have time for coffee? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about,” he asked. 

*Should I say no?* 

*Should I protect the peace I’d built?* 

But curiosity won out. 

“Okay,” she said. “There’s a café across the street.”