Chapter 2
www
Josh’s face twisted in disbelief. []
“You’re bluffing. What do you possibly gain from pissing me off?”
“You break up with me tonight, and I swear to God, I won’t take you back when you come crawling to me tomorrow.”
“Face it. You need me. An orphan like you isn’t going to find anyone better.”
I reached into my pocket.
He thought I was giving in.
Relax. The wedding’s still on. Just drop the drama.”
Tears threatened to fall.
But I refused to cry in front of him. ]]
I lit a cigarette and swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth.
When I looked up at him again, all the love I ever had for him was gone from my eyes.]
He didn’t notice. He just grabbed at my cigarette. []
“You were the one nagging me to quit for the baby! And now you’re smoking?”
“You don’t want our kid anymore?”
I leaned back and blew a cloud of smoke in his face.
“No I don’t.”
As an orphan, all I’d ever wanted was a family.
When Josh first pursued me, I’d warned him,
“I don’t do flings. If you’re not serious about this, then walk away now.” []
He swore he was. He swore we’d build a life together
And I believed him. []
together. []
For seven years, we were the “perfect couple“, except for when Isla was in the picture. []
I told myself their closeness was just a childhood friendship.
When Isla left for college, I thought I’d finally won.[]
Then she came back.
And I finally saw the truth:
He had always loved her.]
Josh gritted his teeth. []
“Look, we’re both stressed. The wedding’s getting close, let’s just call a truce, okay?” [
He reached out to ruffle my hair, like he used to.
I slapped his hand away and got out of the car.
While he was still gaping at me, I shoved the ring at him.]
Give this to Isla. It’s her size, anyway.“]
“That’s enough, Vivian!” He roared.
I cut him off. []
You knew it would fit her!” []
“Stop pretending you ever gave a damn about me!
I walked away. He didn’t follow. He just screamed after me,
“You come back right now, or I’ll never forgive your‘
The wind swallowed his threats as I walked faster, and didn’t look back.
