After Heartbreak
Chapter One
Chad wrecked his Mustang, major blood loss.
I heard about it and rushed straight to the
hospital, gave him a whole quart of blood.
Between feeling drained and the blood loss
myself, I passed out.
I was lying there, half out of it, when I
overheard Chad talking to his bro in the
hallway.
“That girl is such a sucker, one phone call
and she’s here.”
Through the slightly open door, I could see
Chad leaning against the wall, playing on his
phone like nothing happened.
“This wasn’t as fun as the last time, though.
Remember when we told her some gangsters
were after Chad? She actually went down to
their hangout trying to plead for him, almost
got herself sold off! Chad swooped in to
“rescue” her and she was all teary–eyed and
grateful.”
“I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve
done this.”
“First time, the necklace Chad gave her ‘fell‘
into the ocean. She didn’t even hesitate to
jump in, ended up with a killer fever for three
days.”
“Then we paid some guys to trash her mom’s
grave. She was running around like crazy,
begging people for help, ended up practically
groveling to get it fixed. So pathetic.”
They were listing my pain like it was a trophy
case.
“She shouldn’t have stolen Tiffany’s
scholarship back in the day, made her cry her
eyes out. This is what she deserves. Honestly,
it’s not enough, especially considering Chad’s
had to pretend to be with her for so long.
Right, Chad?”
Chad didn’t say anything, just kept scrolling
through his phone.
“Counting the blood transfusion, that’s, like,
97? We’re almost done with our little payback
plan. Too bad, once we hit 99, Chad’s
dumping her. No more fun for us to watch.”
My head was spinning.
My heart felt like it was being crushed, I could
barely breathe.
All this time, my “happily ever after” was just
some revenge plot.
Fine. I’ll give them what they want.
The guys left.
I clutched my chest, gasping. It hurt so bad.
He knew how much I loved him.
I chased him for three years, swallowing my
pride, and he always blew me off. Then, out
of nowhere, he said yes.
く
But there was a catch, I had to give up my
scholarship.
“You’re with me now. You don’t need some
fancy degree. No need to compete for a silly
scholarship.”
I went along with it, thought I’d finally won
him over, melted his heart with my love. Turns
out, it was just for revenge.
He didn’t want me back then because he was
hung up on someone else.
He finally said yes because I “stole” Tiffany’s
scholarship and made her cry.
He planned to put me through 99 different
tortures and drop me into an abyss of pain,
all to now for Tiffenule
all to pay for Tiffany’s hurt.
These past few years, their “revenge” has
been ruining me, bit by bit. I felt weak, and
exhausted. I couldn’t even protect my mom’s
resting place… I hated myself and even
considered ending it all.
All thanks to them.
I couldn’t stop crying. My throat felt so tight
and sore, and I gasped for air.
I reached for the IV, ready to pull it out, but a
nurse stopped me.
“Miss, you’re still recovering. Are you sure you
want to leave now?”
All I could think about was their smirks,
く
Chad’s coldness. I was sick with pain.
I had to get out, away from Chad, away from
this nightmare.
“Yes, I’m leaving.”
I gave Chad my whole heart, and he stomped
all over it, trashed it. There was no reason to
stay here.
Back at our so–called “home,” I burst into
tears.
Every corner of this place, I know so well.
I remember him, confessing his love with
fireworks in the background, promising me
forever. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the
world.
Г
Now it’s a joke.
My finger felt cold. It was the engagement
ring Chad gave me. The diamond glinted like
a knife, stabbing me in the heart.
Love can be faked, I guess.
He must really love Tiffany, to waste three
whole years on a woman he didn’t even care
about.
He even slept with me… so many times.
Kisses, hugs, all that intimate stuff… all just
to make me think he liked me.
I felt my stomach churn and I ran to the
bathroom and wretched. Every part of my
body was fighting against this
く
body was fighting against this.
After what felt like forever, my phone rang. It
was my friend, Sarah.
“Hey, I’m leaving for Europe tomorrow. You
still not coming to start that business with
me?”
Because Chad told me “I’ll take care of you,” I
gave up my scholarship and a great job. I
thought that was his way of showing love, but
now I realize it was just a lie. A cage to keep
me trapped and miserable.
I wiped my tears and swallowed the lump in
my throat.
“No,” I said, voice hoarse but firm. “I’m
coming with you, Sarah.”
く
I had to get away.
“Seriously? You’ve finally come to your
senses!” Sarah sounded so happy. “Don’t
worry about the paperwork. I’ll handle it.”
“But… once it’s done, there’s no turning
back.”
I hesitated, my fingers shaking around the
phone, but I said firmly, “No regrets. Never.”
There was a pause on the other end, then
Sarah asked, “What about Chad? You’re so
crazy about him. You’re really going to leave
him?”
Chad’s name felt like a knife twisting inside
- me.
Г
His betrayal, the torture, the laughter in the
hallway, his cold face… every memory was
stabbing me.
