Owen’s body went rigid as if he’d been struck by lightning.
“Do I make you that sick, Audrey?” he asked, his face drained of color.
I shot him a look filled with hatred, watching as pain and helplessness crept into his eyes. He broke down in tears again.
His lips quivered as if he was about to say something, but the words never came. His eyes became bloodshot, and eventually, he sank into a crouch.
Out of nowhere, I recalled a day when I was eight, desperate for a bottle of soda. Owen had rushed out to get it, but rain started pouring down.
He slipped and fell several times, but somehow, when he got to me, the soda was perfectly fine. He took off his jacket, handed me the bottle, and flashed me a wide grin.
Suddenly, a memory from when I was 18 flooded my mind. Owen was blushing deeply when he took my hand and confessed his feelings for me.
My heart raced, the thumping echoing like a heavy bell inside my chest. I met his gaze, my face burning, ready to say yes. But then, he excitedly exclaimed, “I’m going to confess to Vanessa later, so I’m rehearsing my lines!”
My heart immediately shattered. I stood frozen, numb as he recited all the sweet words meant for her.
I tried to fool myself into believing they were meant for me, but every word was for Vanessa. I couldn’t deny it.
I spent the night at a hotel, weeping as I deleted every last thing related to Owen from my phone. But when I woke up, I couldn’t help but retrieve everything.
Those memories surged within me, but I no longer loved him.
“You’re out of your mind, Owen,” I said.
He clutched his head, remaining silent for what seemed like forever before he apologized. Audrey.”
