Chapter 2

2

The rain was pouring by the time I reached the house. The driver helped me into my wheelchair and drove off into the gray afternoon.

I was soaked to the bone. My hands were raw and bleeding from the effort of pushing the wheels across the wet pavement.

The house was cold and silent. It looked like Grayson hadn't slept here in days.

I let out a dry, mocking laugh. I dragged myself to the guest bedroom, changed into dry clothes, and collapsed onto the bed.

I was getting used to being stood up. It's amazing how quickly the human heart adapts to neglect.

I drifted into a light sleep until the sound of the front door slamming woke me up. It was Grayson.

He was calling my name, sounding frustrated that no one answered.

I didn't respond. I just stayed in the dark, waiting for him to find me.

The lights flickered on, and Grayson's eyes landed on the heavy casts on my legs.

He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. His voice was dry when he spoke.

"I didn't know you were actually hurt. You know how Cindy is... she's frail, and the sight of blood makes her faint. I was terrified something would happen to her."

"It's fine. You're friends. You've known her a long time. I understand completely," I said calmly.

My lack of emotion seemed to poke at his temper. He glared at me, holding up a takeout bag.

"What's with the attitude? I even brought you dinner."

We both knew the truth. Those were leftovers from his romantic dinner with Cindy.

I used my arms to hoist myself back into my wheelchair.

"I mean exactly what I said, Grayson. We don't need to play these games anymore."

His devotion was never for me, so he didn't need to fake it now.

Guilt flashed across his face for a second, but it was quickly replaced by irritation.

"You don't have to be so passive-aggressive, Elena. I've told you, Cindy is in the past. If we had something going on..."

"If you had something going on, you wouldn't be with me. I know, Grayson. I've heard the script a thousand times."

"If you're done, please leave. I'm tired and I'm injured. Throw those leftovers in the trash on your way out."

"And next time you want to lie to me, just block me from seeing your posts."

I shut the bedroom door. I could hear him cursing under his breath in the hallway.

This was the first time I had ever shut him out. He wasn't used to me being the one to walk away.

Outside, the storm grew louder. I hugged my knees, or at least the casts covering them.

I remembered my last birthday. It had rained just like this.

I had called Grayson early that morning, begging him to come home for dinner. He promised he would.

I left work early and spent hours preparing a feast. I even bought the expensive wine he liked.

Midnight came and went. He didn't show, didn't call, didn't even send a text.

By 2 AM, I was shaking with a high fever. While I was shivering alone, he was out celebrating with Cindy.

They had posted photos of themselves together, their faces pressed close, looking like the perfect couple.

I nearly died that night from a lung infection.

The heart doesn't turn cold in a single day. It happens slowly, one broken promise at a time.

I decided I didn't want to waste another second of my life on them.

I needed to stay busy to keep the bitterness away. I called my boss at the news station and volunteered for a field assignment in a remote rural area.

My supervisor sounded relieved. He sent me a long message of encouragement.

"I'm glad you're focusing on your career, Elena. This is a huge opportunity. If this segment goes well, that promotion is yours."

I had been stuck in the same position for years because I refused to travel. I wanted to be available whenever Grayson called.

Now, that felt like a lifetime ago. I was finally choosing myself.