Gabriella's POV
I heard Clara apologizing to the man, her voice sickly sweet. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I wished the earth would just swallow me whole. My world felt like it was crumbling around me, and I couldn't do a single thing to stop it.
How was any of this my fault? I didn't burn his sister on purpose. I wasn't careless. It was just... an accident.
A bitter groan slipped past my lips as I stumbled down the busy street, trying to hold myself together. Around me, the tall buildings seemed to mock me, towering over me like silent judges. People rushed past, everyone busy with their own lives, while mine felt like it was falling apart piece by piece.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Ben's number. It went straight to voicemail-again.
My heart sank. "Well, at least I can pay him a surprise visit," I whispered to myself, sliding my phone into the back pocket of my jeans. A tiny, fragile smile touched my lips. "He'll be there for me... as always."
I hailed a taxi with the very last few bucks I had. When the driver rolled down the window, I leaned in, desperation lacing my voice.
"Please, take me to the Harris Enterprise building," I said.
As the cab sped through the streets, I stared blankly out the window. Ben and I had been together for six years. He was my high school sweetheart-the boy who became my whole world. I had dreamt of growing old with him, of sharing a simple, happy life. Even when things were tough, I clung to the belief that love was enough.
He'd been there for me during my darkest moments-or so I thought.
When we finally arrived, I tossed the driver the crumpled bills and rushed inside. The lobby was quiet, almost too quiet. My eyes darted to the receptionist's desk, but it was empty.
"That's strange," I muttered under my breath.
As I walked down the hall toward Ben's office, a faint sound reached my ears-muffled noises.
I froze.
At first, I couldn't make out what it was, but then the sounds grew clearer: moans. Rhythmic, breathless groans.
My blood turned to ice.
No... no, it can't be.
My feet felt like lead as I approached the door. My hand trembled violently as it wrapped around the cold doorknob. Slowly, I twisted it open-just a crack-and what I saw on the other side shattered me.
Ben.
My Ben.
He was in the middle of the office, his shirt half-off, his body pressed against his secretary, Ivy.
They were so lost in each other they didn't even notice me standing there.
My breath caught in my throat. A huge, painful lump lodged itself there, suffocating me. I wanted to scream, to storm in and rip them apart, but my voice betrayed me. Not a single sound escaped.
Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. My fingers tightened around the doorknob, and I forced myself to close the door quietly, as if doing so would undo what I had just seen.
But the universe was cruel.
"When are you going to dump Gabriella?" Ivy's sultry voice drifted through the thin walls, slicing me open like a knife.
Ben's reply was soft, almost dismissive.
"Soon, my love. I just... I don't want to hurt her more than I already have. She's been through so much, and I felt sorry for her. That's the only reason I stayed this long. But I can't keep living a lie. I'll call off the wedding soon."
My knees buckled.
Felt sorry for me?
The words flashed through my skull, drowning out everything else. The man I had loved for six whole years, the man I trusted with every fiber of my being, had only been with me out of pity.
My hand flew to my mouth to stifle a sob. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall-not here. Not for him.
Six years of my life. Six years of promises, laughter, sacrifices. All of it, gone.
I didn't even realize I was running until I was outside, my legs carrying me blindly down the street. The cool wind slapped against my tear-streaked face as I gasped for air.
Hadn't I suffered enough already? First losing my job, now this?
I thought Ben was my safe haven, my rock. Instead, he'd been my biggest lie.
Emily's apartment came into view, and I bolted toward it, nearly tripping on the stairs in my haste. I knocked frantically, trying to swallow my sobs, telling myself over and over that I wouldn't cry. Not for him.
The door swung open, and there was Emily-my best friend, my sister in everything but blood. Without a word, she pulled me into a tight hug.
"Gabriella! What happened?" she gasped, ushering me inside. Her arm draped over my shoulders as she guided me to the couch.
Her apartment was warm and inviting, with soft pink walls and little decorative touches that screamed her personality. It always felt like home here.
I curled up on the sofa, hugging my knees to my chest. The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"It's Ben. He... he cheated on me," I whispered, and finally, the tears betrayed me, sliding down my cheeks. "And I... I got fired today."
Emily's jaw dropped. "Oh, Gabby, no! You don't deserve this. That jerk! I always had a bad feeling about him."
I let out a strangled laugh, bitter and broken. "You should've seen them, Emily. He didn't even hesitate. I thought we agreed to wait until marriage, but he didn't care. Maybe it's because I'm still a virgin."
Emily shook her head firmly. "No, sweetie. This isn't about you. It's about him being a lying, cheating piece of trash."
She pulled away and rummaged through a drawer, returning with a folded poster.
My tear-streaked face scrunched in confusion. "What's that?"
"I was going to try this myself, but my schedule's insane right now." Emily handed it to me. "There's a job opening at a company called The Smith Group. They're looking for a personal assistant to the CEO. Rumor has it he's young, powerful, and ridiculously handsome. Maybe this is the fresh start you need."
I took the poster, my hands trembling slightly as I scanned the details. The words seemed to blur together, but the mention of a paycheck was like a lifeline.
"Thank you," I breathed. "I... I really need this. My grandma's medical bills keep piling up, and she's getting weaker every day."
Emily's warm hand covered mine. "How's she doing? Did the surgery happen yet?"
I shook my head, biting my lip to keep it from trembling. "No. I haven't been able to pay for it, and she's fading, Emily. I'm terrified of losing her."
Her eyes softened with sympathy, and for a moment, I felt seen.
But I forced a shaky smile and changed the subject. "The poster says the interviews are tomorrow. I'll visit her later today then prepare for the interviews tomorrow morning ."
Emily studied me carefully. "I know you're hurting, Gabriella. You don't have to talk about it now, but just... know I'm here for you."
I nodded, pretending to yawn and stretch. "Let's make some cookies," I said, needing to distract myself from the storm inside me.
We headed toward the kitchen, but before we could start, my phone buzzed.
Ben's name flashed across the screen like poison.
My stomach twisted painfully.
With a sharp breath, I declined the call. My chest ached as I stared at the screen, hoping-against my better judgment-that he would call again.
Minutes passed.
Nothing.
I let out a bitter scoff and tossed the phone onto the counter. "Why did I even expect him to care?" I muttered to myself, my voice laced with hurt and anger.
There would be no more tears for Ben.
Not anymore.
"Ben Harris, From today. you are dead to me." I grittled my teeth.
