Match Maker | T. Swift x OC

Chapter Four

The abuse, the addiction, the false love.

All of it and Mallory was still smiling. Smiling so hard you wouldn't believe that it was because of a two-and-a-half-month relationship.

"Look at this one," Taylor said, turning it towards Mallory.

The brunette chortled as the memory flashed through her head. "That was Mardi Gras 2010. Inez dragged me to a party and we saw her there and she handed me this drink. It was just whiskey and tequila and I couldn't handle my alcohol very well and ended up throwing up on the street. It was awful and embarrassing, but I think I'm quite photogenic, don't you?"

"Oh, of course," Taylor chuckled. "The most photogenic by far."

Once all of the photos were on the breakfast bar, Mallory looked back at the two sheets of paper and sighed.

"To Mal or Mallory, whichever you prefer,"

'A great start,' Mallory thought as she looked up to see Taylor watching her intently and hummed. "What's up?"

"What's going on up there?" Taylor asked sincerely.

"Honestly? It's just like a bunch of pots and pans hitting each other over and over again. Like static, but really loud and fucking annoying, you know?"

The blonde hummed in acknowledgement and let Mallory continue reading.

"I hope this letter finds you well. It has been quite some time since we last spoke, and I must admit that a lot has changed since then. I hope you can spare a moment to hear what I have to say.

"First and foremost, I want to express my sincere apologies for my past behaviour and the hurt I caused you during our time together. Looking back, I realize that I was not the best partner, and I deeply regret the pain I put you through. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, even though I know I don't deserve it.

"I heard that you have a new girlfriend now, and I genuinely wish you both all the happiness in the world. I truly believe that she is the perfect match for you and that you deserve the best life has to offer. In a way, knowing that you have moved on helps me believe that you have truly healed from the past. From me.

"I understand that it has been ten years since we were together, and it's clear that you have moved on from that chapter of your life. But I still felt compelled to reach out and extend my apologies, hoping that somehow this gesture might help you find even greater happiness and closure.

"Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons, and I have learned a lot from our time together and our subsequent breakup. While I cannot change the past, I promise that I will strive to be a better person moving forward.

"I hope that we can both find peace within ourselves and finally put the past behind us. Mallory, I truly wish you all the best in your life, and I hope that you find love and joy in everything you do.

"With sincere (though admittedly overdue) apologies,

Lea."

"...At least she knows that she doesn't deserve it?" Taylor said sheepishly.

Mallory chuckled and dropped the letter in the bin. "I'm good with my spite. So, about those drinks?"

"You know what, little miss bartender? You can make two whiskeys on rocks."

The brunette groaned before trudging into the kitchen and making them the drinks, as she thought back.

Mallory stood outside Natalie's house, her heart pounding in her chest as she hesitated to knock on the door. It had been months since their breakup, and she never thought she'd find herself here, at Nat's back-to-school party. She took a deep breath and finally knocked, hoping she wasn't making a huge mistake.