His kiss was not hesitant. It was fervent, passionate, like the kind I had dreamed of for years but never truly received.
Between their kisses, Katrina whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, “Lewis is mine.”
She did not need to finish the sentence; her actions said it all.
The room blurred, my vision clouded by tears I refused to let fall.
Straightening my posture, I walked out of the bar with my head held high, though I felt as if I were breaking into a thousand pieces.
Tobias was right behind me, his voice full of fury. “That is insane!” he yelled.
I ignored him, my legs moving on instinct as I headed toward the valet stand.
“Hey, wait!” Tobias grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop. “Let the valet bring the car. Don’t do anything reckless.”
I turned to face him, my tears finally spilling over. Tobias’ expression softened, his anger replaced with concern as he pulled me into a hug.
For seven years, I had dreamed of that day. The day when Lewis and I were together forever.
But that night, it became painfully clear. I was nothing more than a stand-in, a convenient placeholder for the woman he truly loved.
The ride back to our penthouse was silent, but my mind was anything but.
As the city lights blurred past the window, I made my decision. If Lewis could not be bothered to keep his promises, then he did not deserve me.
So, I asked Tobias as we arrived, “Hey, do you have the photo of the man that was arranged for me by our parents?”
“Hm, why do you suddenly ask about that?” Tobias looked confused by my abrupt question.
I hesitated, realizing how strange it was to ask. Instead of explaining, I brushed it off. “Never mind,” I said quickly before retreating to my bedroom and locking the door.
As the morning came, I ignored Tobias’ persistent knocks, cocooned under a blanket that was still damp from the tears I had cried all night.
The remnants of my breakdown surrounded me. Photos and mementos of Lewis and me lay torn and scattered across the floor.
Not long after, I heard Tobias speaking to someone.
“I’m going to work now. She hasn’t eaten since last night, so cook something delicious,” he instructed, his voice fading as the front door clicked shut.
I assumed it was the chef Tobias occasionally hired to cook at the penthouse, so I paid no attention.