The city lights blurred through the tears I refused to let fall. I hugged my arms around myself, trying to stop the shiver that wasn't from the cold. He had chosen her — the words replayed in my head, sharp as knives.
I had imagined this moment a thousand times. Me, standing by his side, his hand in mine. But reality? Reality was cruel.
"Amara…" His voice broke the silence, but I didn't turn. I couldn't.
I wanted to yell. I wanted to run. Instead, I whispered, "Don't."
He stepped closer, and I felt the pull, the old familiarity. My heart betrayed me despite everything. "Why?" I finally said, my voice trembling. "Why her?"
He looked away, guilt heavy in his eyes. "It's complicated."
I laughed bitterly. "Complicated? Love isn't supposed to be complicated. You just… choose. You choose, and that's it. But you didn't choose me."
Silence fell. The kind that presses down on your chest, heavy and suffocating. I wanted to walk away, but something made me stay — curiosity, anger, maybe even hope.
"You don't know the whole story," he finally said, voice low, hesitant.
My stomach twisted. I didn't want to hear it, but I couldn't stop myself. "Then tell me."
He shook his head. "Not yet. You're not ready."
I stepped back, tears finally falling. "Ready? Ready for what? To watch you destroy us all over again?"
He opened his mouth, then closed it. And in that moment, I saw it — something hidden, a truth he wasn't ready to share.
I wanted to run, but my legs refused. I wanted to forget, but my mind clung to him.
And then, just as I thought I might lose him forever, my phone buzzed with a message I never expected:
"Amara… you need to see this. Now."
I froze. My heart raced. What could be worse than what I already knew?