Chapter 6:
His frends burst into laughter
“Right, Sara is the best if you want a wife.”
“So, when’s the wedding?
I stood frozen outside the box.
Leo had never seen me as his partner, as someone precious. To him, I was nothing more than something convenient. A presence he could summon when needed and discard when it suited him.”
I refused to step inside. I decided to not care about him anymore.X
But, just as I got home, I saw Sara’s post. It was the party they enjoyed that night.
On another slide, Lea and her did a love shot. There was a photo where Lea leaned on Sara’s shoulder because he was too drunk too. Furious, I not only packed my things, but also stripped away every trace of myself from the apartment, I would be gone in two weeks after alli
For the next few days, I ignored him.
During the day, I threw myself into photography. At night, I focused on editing. I kept myself busy, drowning in the rhythm of routine that did not include Leo
Whether he came home or not, whether he was still out with Sara, whether he noticed my growing distance–I did not care.
A week before I was set to leave, my room was nearly empty
If Leo had any sensitivity left, he should have noticed the way the apartment was slowly being stripped of my presence.
But I doubted he did.
That evening, I grabbed my bag, ready to deliver the photos file to my client and also hangout with my friend.
Just as I reached for the doorknob, Leo walked in, a plastic bag filled with beer dangling from his hand.
For the first time since I heard Leo’s statement in the bar, we were standing face–to–face again.
Leo’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me. He let out a short, bitter laugh. “We finally intersect. Even though we live in the same house, we never meet this full week. Not even one day.“!!
I remained silent, uninterested in playing his games.
“Haven’t we forgiven each other a week ago? You even made me breakfast like you usually did, but what happened the days after? You act as if you had gone this full week,” His voice was laced with sarcasm “How long are you going to avoid me actually, Lucy?”
“I’m busy.” I said flatly, adjusting my bag over my shoulder.
Then I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, Leo grabbed my wrist and yanked me back.!!
I gasped as he pushed me against the wall, his grip firm, his presence suffocating
“Lucy,” he murmured, his breath seeking of alcohol. If you keep acting like this… I will end up marrying Sara for real.”
I turned my head to the side, avoiding his heated breath.
My wrist throbbed in his grasp, but I refused to show pain. Instead, I answered him coldly. “Then do it, I don’t care.“%
Leo’s eyes darkened further. He let out a harsh snort, his expression twisting with frustration.
“Don’t care?” he growled. “Since when have you stopped caring about me, huh? The fact that you’re avoiding me only proves that you do, because you’re jealous.
“Oh, right, I haven’t shown my love for you nearly enough. So let me make it up to you now, so that you’ll never dare to avoid me again over something so trivial 2
The plastic bag slipped from his gnp, beer cans rolling across the floor!
Before I could react, he seized both of my wrists, panning them against the wall above my head.
“Leo, let go. You are drunk right now!” My voice was firm, but he was not listening.
y skin as he leaned in, claiming my lips in a
His left hand reached for my chin, forcing me to look at him. His fingers dug into my possessive, bruising kiss
I struggled, kicking against him, twisting in his grasp. But my strength was nothing compared to his
For the first time in all the years we had been together Leo was rough with me
“Leo, it hurts,” I sobbed, my voice trembling. “Was the promise not to hurt me also a lie?”
Something in him shattered.
His body tensed, realization dawning in his drunken haze.
His grip loosened. His breathing turned erratic and his eyes wide as if finally seeing what he was doing.
“Lucy,
But I did not let him finish. The moment I was free, I shoved him away and rushed out of the apartment.
I just realized how disheveled I looked when I caught my reflection in the elevator mirror.X
“Bastard,” I muttered under my breath, scowling.!
Luckily, my mood lightened after meeting my friend. The warmth of her laughter and the comfort of normal conversation soothed
I just realized how disheveled I looked when I caught my reflection in the elevator mirror!
“Bastard,” I muttered under my breath, scowling
Luckily, my mood lightened after meeting my friend. The warmth of her laughter and the comfort of normal conversation soothed
me, grounding me back in reality k
time
I was so glad to hear how happy she was after the honeymoon, but I was not jealous of her anymore, since I knew what mattered that
at day was Sara
But the happiness was short–lived, since one of the clients I should meet that
I could not keep her final photo rolls forever, so I made my way to meet her
The moment we met, she said with an easy smile, flipping through the photographs, “The photos are good. You really are talented.
“Oh, I’ve already transferred the payment and the bonus also “X
“Thanks” I turned, already eager to leave, but her next words made me freeze.
“By the way… Since you didn’t pick him up that night, I am the one who brought him home. But not your home, my home. We enjoyed that night, Lucy.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly, but before I could respond, she sighed dramatically, shaking her head!!
“That night when he stayed over at my house, he mistook me for you,” she continued, her voice soft with mock sympathy. “He was. bit out of control. It seemed like he really needed you.”
My entire body went rigid.X
Sara tilted her head, watching me carefully. “So, I’m sorry, Lucy. But, well, an accident happened between us that night. I hope Leo has explained it to you?”
I felt my heartbeat slow, each thump heavy and hollow in my chest.
So, it had finally come to this.
Sara took my silence as an invitation to continue, “I know our marriage is only happening because of our families, and I know that you’re the one he really loves. But, Lucy. I did see how much he enjoyed me that night
“in the morning, he even laughed it off, saying that it was the most incredible night he had ever spent.”
My breath hitched, but I remained still}
Sara leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “So… why don’t you just give up already? Your relationship is falling apart anyway.“2
I swallowed the bitter taste rising in my throat, but she was not done.
She smiled sweetly, as if she had not just ripped my world apart
“Oh, also…” Her eyes glearned with something cruel. “I’d like to hire you as my wedding photographer. It would be a bit awkward if you were still dating him by then, don’t you think?“%
