Chapter 3

3.

I was surprised by how easily Mallory saw through me.

She and I had never dated, while Melanie had been with me for five years without ever truly understanding who I was.

If Melanie had known me at all, she would have realized how deeply I loved her. I never would have neglected her for an entire year just for my career.

I would never forget that afternoon during my rehab at the clinic.

Through the second-floor window, I happened to see Melanie kissing Zack Reynolds downstairs in the parking lot.

She leaned into him, arms wrapped around his neck, her eyes dripping with unfiltered lust.

Zack grinned against her lips: “Meeting me right beneath your boyfriend’s therapy room? You really like living on the edge, don’t you?”

Melanie let out a playful laugh: “It’s more fun when there’s a little danger.”

In that moment, my crutches slipped from my grip, and I crashed onto the cold floor.

I couldn't fathom why she would betray me like that.

We had spent five full years building a life together.

Throughout college, she followed me everywhere, constantly declaring her love for me.

The day we graduated, we officially became a couple.

She swore she would cherish me forever.