"Hey Hales," said Peyton as she entered her office. It had been a week since the wedding that did-not-happen-and-was not-supposed-to and everything was slowly getting back to normal or at least that's what she thought. Peyton had not seen Haley since then, what not with Haley's obsession to keep Jamie under her eye. It was the first time Haley came by to the office since, and personally she really felt grateful. For the past week she had not been able to talk to anyone about the wedding and she really had to take it out of her mind. She knew the whispers around town that she was the reason the wedding ended very badly. Apparently, Lindsey's short stay in Tree Hill had gained her quite a huge popularity in this small town compared to Peyton's four years of disappearance. Talking to Haley would be such a great relief since Brooke clearly had no time, too occupied with the adoption. Who could blame her?

"Hey, sorry I couldn't come by earlier, you know I'm still quite in a trauma about the whole nanny situation. I constantly keep thinking that she'll come back to take Jamie again. I know its crazy, but gosh.. I really can't help it."

"You should be. Nothing to worry about. I got everything under control and Mia is doing great." She replied. In her mind she was still considering whether to ask about Lucas or not. She knew Lucas was out of town but no more than that. His heart should be in pieces and she couldn't help to feel guilty.

"Emm, Hales since you're here, you wouldn't mind if I ask about Lucas would you. I've just not been hearing anything about him and I was getting quite worried. I know what he must be going through…" but Peyton could not finish her words as Haley gaze was stiff on her. It was as if suddenly Haley became really angry when she asked about Lucas.

"Peyton. Don't ask okay. You know he's going through hell. Again" Haley's face was so annoyed that Peyton could not understand what was going on. Was Haley blaming her for Lucas's hurt?

"Again? What does that suppose to mean?"

"You know what I mean. He was rejected once and now he's going through it again just this time on the altar in front of the whole tree hill. He's broken, and its not even his fault" the tone Haley used seemed so accusing.

"Haley, not you too. I know you're angry about the kiss, but it was just a kiss. I let him go, just like you wanted. I'm hurt too. He left me, even if he didn't go through it he still said I do. You can't accuse me of being the wrecker." Peyton couldn't believe it that Haley was blaming her too. It was okay if the whole town blamed her but not her best friend. How could she even think about it when she knew about everything? Feeling hurt, she started stepping backwards. Haley realized that Peyton had got her wrong and panicked instantly.

"No, Peyton, I didin't mean it like that, I know its not your fault but…" she couldn't finished her words as Peyton had already left. Oh, I'm so sorry, said Haley alone.

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Lucas had just came back from his trip with Karen, Andy and Lily. With Andy's help he had flown to New York to meet Lindsey. Sure he was hurt but he knew that Lindsey would soon realize that she still loved him and that him and Peyton was over. Ahh… Peyton. That was one thought he did not want to be thinking now. Even till this day he still could remember her face as she watched him take his vow. She still looked as stunning as ever and it really bothered him that that he noticed that detail. He didn't know what he felt back then but it just didn't feel right. Yeah, she was smiling, still the same most beautiful smile that he could remember but deep down those green eyes he could see that she was steeling herself, trying to conceal the torn she felt inside. If he just could but his arms around her and tell her… No! I'm not supposed to be thinking about Peyton. Lindsey's the one I hurt here. Not Peyton. She's the one I love and she's the one I'm going to marry. God, if he could just convince her, but how? He couldn't even convince himself. Tired of all the thoughts he decided to head the one place he felt he could become himself, the Rivercourt.

She didn't realize this until tonight that she had constantly kept coming to the Rivercourt, as if the place alone gave her the calmness that she needed most. She found solace in it, the way she felt in Lucas's arm. Maybe because it once belonged to Lucas that she became so attached to it. Tonight, she was here again. Trying to find the peace she always longed for. She knew Haley didn't mean wrong but deep down she couldn't help feel the hurt. Alone, when she allowed her mind to reel back the memories of yesteryears, it would keep going three years back, in the hotel room with Lucas on his knees proposing. Overwhelmed but yet so scared inside. She loved that man and dreamt for this day but ahead was still a future waiting to be discovered. She said 'someday' but to Lucas it meant 'NO'. He was hurt and so was she. If only things were different. Peyton gave out a loud sigh hoping to wash away the memories even though she knew it would always remain with her. Out of nowhere, the sounds of footsteps were nearing as she raised her head. The man she had always loved was walking right towards her but he didn't seem to notice. It was like he was in another world, a world where he was alone mending his broken heart. Peyton felt for him and only wished she could tender his bruised heart with her gentle kiss.

Lucas stopped abruptly in front of her, astonished to see the same green eyes that had tortured his mind a while ago. Peyton, his heart whispered. A long silence accompanied them as both locked eyes with each other.

"Lucas. How are you?" Peyton finally managed to conjure the words.

"I'm doing okay. What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be managing a label, making stars or something", his cover up .

"Well, making stars need a rest too you know. I was just wandering around, you know for inspiration or something"

"Uhuh. Alright. I guess I better get moving. See ya around" Lucas knew he had to get out of there. A confrontation with Peyton was the last thing he needed to help clear his head. God, why couldn't he just play it cool? Peyton used to be the friend he loved talking to the most. He didn't have to run from her but yet it just felt so painful to look into those sad green eyes. He already had so much going on and he really could not deal with this right now.

"Luke, wait. I think I owe you an apology" she mumbled the words. How she regretted it the moment it came out of her mouth. She wasn't sorry that it all happened, damn, she didn't even feel that it was her fault. She let him go didn't she as an act of 'sacrifice', so why did it seem that everyone blamed her for Lindsey running away. If there was anything right now that she was sorry about was that she was sorry she couldn't help take away all the pain that he had to go through.

Lucas just blinked. Peyton apologizing? Did he even hear her right? It wasn't her fault. He knew that. Even when Lindsey read out the pages of the 'Comet' he still knew that Peyton was innocent. But if Peyton's innocent, and he knew that Lindsey still loved him deeply and so was he to her , then whose fault was it? Destiny?

"I don't really know what happened between the both of you, but somehow, someway I have a feeling it has to do with me. I'm always the home wrecker, the one to come in between you and the women you truly love… I never meant to Lucas, the kiss, the comet, I never expected Lindsey to.." Peyton was babbling now. She just didn't know what to say to him. For weeks she had tried to imagine this moment where they could finally talk and try to make sense of whatever just happened between them for the past four years. But, here she was literally spurting out things that she didn't even mean.

"Shut up, Peyton" roared Lucas. "I'm sick of everyone saying that they're sorry. And out of everyone who offers me their sorry, you're the last person I ever want to hear it from" He truly did not know where all this anger suddenly came from. Hearing Peyton say she was sorry had shocked him, but to hear her blame herself was unacceptable. Who gave her the right to blame herself for everything bad that happened to him? Why did she have to make everything in his life evolve around her? Lucas saw Peyton trying to gather her words but he cut her to it.

"I hate you Peyton. I hate you for being here. Hell, I hate you for even coming back. You ruined my life" his words were like sharp ice cutting through her heart. She tried to say something but the coldness she suddenly felt froze all her senses. He hated her? The man she loved with all her heart hated her?

For what it seemed like a lifetime, they both just stood there. Perplexed. One for what he just said, the other for what she just heard. Their love was supposed to be a 'True Love Always' but standing here facing each other they were both lost. Lost of words, lost of love.

Seeing the tears forming in her eyes, suddenly Lucas felt like killing himself. He never hated her, he didn't even know where the hell those words came from but he knew he had to take them back.

"Peyton, I'm really sorry, I.." He tried to reach for Peyton but she backed and her head shaking. Hell, it wasn't just her head, her whole body was practically shaking now. She put her hands up guarding herself away from him, trying to build back the back the wall she was so famous of. For years, he was the only one who had managed to break into those walls, but right now, he was the reason she was building it for. With that he knew, she had finally broken and now, no words could ever mend her. Seeing the hurt in Peyton's eyes, he knew he had to go, leave her sight at least for now. "I'm sorry. Just forget about it. Forget about everything" and he left her.