Chapter 3

3.

I snapped back to reality as Mr. Harrison slammed the gate shut.

Rainwater ran down my face and soaked into my clothes.

But we had been together for five years. Five years of waking up next to each other.

Her smile and her kindness were burned into my heart. How could I just walk away?

I pulled out my phone and tried calling her over and over.

She had already blocked my number. I tried messaging her, but the results were the same.

I stood there frozen, feeling like something was squeezing the life out of my heart.

The grief was suffocating and agonizingly sharp.

I couldn't believe she could discard five years of history so easily.

Suddenly, a car belonging to one of Sierra's friends pulled up next to me.

Most of the rumors about Sierra not loving me had come from her.

But I had never believed them.

Two days ago, she had told me, "Why don't you go get that mole removed? Then you'll finally see the truth."

She rolled down the window and smirked at me. "Kicked out by Sierra already?"

"I told you so. you were just a stand-in."

"Gideon Cole is the only one who owns her heart."

"Are you still wondering how she could fake it for five years?"

"That's because you don't know the story between her and Gideon."

I had heard Gideon's name a thousand times from her circle over the years.

I only knew they were once the Golden Couple of Chicago.

Everyone assumed they would spend forever together.

But then Gideon died in a tragic accident. I never knew the details.

"Gideon died because he gave his own heart to Sierra so she could live," her friend said, staring at me.

"Do you really think anyone can compete with that?"

"Besides, he's dead. You can't beat a dead man."

"Sierra has been cycling through men for years just to find someone who looks like him."

"Take my advice and get lost. Sierra doesn't need you anymore."

So that was it. That was the truth.

No wonder she wouldn't sign a marriage license.

No wonder she threw me out over a tiny blemish.

My heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest.

Sierra's friend didn't say another word and drove through the gates.

I saw Sierra open the front door to welcome her, never once glancing in my direction.

The rain didn't just soak my skin; it drenched my very soul.