Chapter 2
Freya’s POV
He’d never acknowledged our relationship to
anyone.
Three years together, and to the world, he was still unattached–charming, composed, perfectly polished.
I never asked him why he kept me a secret.
Back then, just being beside him had felt like enough.
I fell for Rowan in high school–the day he stepped between me and a scalding splash of boiling water that a bully had thrown.
That was ten years ago. And somehow, the
1/7
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
way I felt… never changed.
Three years ago, when he broke things off with Amara, he went on a drinking binge.
I chased after him that night–followed him into that smoke–filled, deafening bar and stayed by his side.
Somewhere between the drinks and the heartbreak, he looked at me and asked if I wanted to try being with him.
I knew it wasn’t love. I knew he was trying to fill a void.
But I couldn’t say no.
I told myself that if I just loved him hard enough, if I gave him everything, maybe someday he’d love me back the same way..
^
2/7
Chapter 2
+ 5
ts
Now I see just how foolish I was.
Back at home, I sat alone, watching the clock tick past hour after hour.
It was nearly midnight–and still no sign of him.
Eventually, a message popped up on my phone.
“Honey, I’ve got a dinner meeting tonight. Gonna be late–don’t wait up. Get some rest.”
But I’d already seen Amara’s Instagram Story.
A photo of her being carried on someone’s back.
་
Her caption read: “Still the most
husband–material guy ever! I’m seriously
3/7
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
tearing up. Should I say yes to his proposal?”
Dinner meeting?
Yeah, right.
So he proposed… to her.
It wasn’t one of those lukewarm promises he used to toss my way–it was the kind that says, I want you in my life for good.
I kept staring at that fuzzy picture, over and over again.
It felt like I’d been dropped straight back into high school, back to watching them from the sidelines like I never belonged.
A sharp ache twisted in my stomach, and I powered off my phone. I didn’t need to see
more.
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
“I’m already getting ready to walk away. What’s left to hang on to?”
I stood up and started tossing things into bags. The couple’s toothbrushes, those cheesy matching mugs, the pillows I picked out just for us–I got rid of all of it.
Right when I was tying up the garbage bag, Rowan came through the door.
He glanced at the pile and asked, “Didn’t you used to love this stuff? Why are you throwing it all away?”
I lowered my eyes, fingers chilled, and kept my tone flat.
“They’re old. I’m just over them.”
I half expected him to push, to ask again. But
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
he didn’t. He didn’t care enough to.
Instead, he walked over like it was any other evening, placed a gentle hand on my belly, and whispered to the baby, “Were you good today, little one? Daddy’s home.”
He looked like some ideal dad–warm and soft–spoken. That used to break me in the best way.
I used to think, perhaps his deep love for our baby means he loves me as well. Maybe he’s just unsure how to express it.
But now I know better. He loves the baby. Not… me.
“Babe,” he said, “you’re still mad about earlier, huh? Look, don’t be upset I didn’t tell you Mara’s working at the office. She’s between gigs. I was just helping out. It’s temporary.
6/7
Chapter 2
+ 5 Points
She’ll be gone soon.”
He noticed I hadn’t helped him take off his coat–finally sensing my silence wasn’t passive. His voice softened, trying to make it right.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” he said. “Don’t be. Mara’s in the past. I don’t feel anything for her anymore. I have you now.”
I wanted to laugh. But I couldn’t even force it.
He kissed my cheek–more affectionate than usual.
If I hadn’t caught you with her, I thought. If I hadn’t seen what I saw… maybe I would’ve believed you. Maybe I’d be moved. But now? Every little gesture–even this kiss–just feels like manipulation.
