Marcus's words replaying in my head over and over again. Stop behaving like a slut.
Those words weren't just an insult, they were a scar carved straight across my heart.
But the further I walked, the more hollow my steps felt. My throat tightened, and this gnawing ache spread through me. It wasn't just anger; it was fear. Fear that if I left things like this, I'd only keep drowning in uncertainty.
I stopped dead in my tracks, clutching my bag close.
No. I can't keep letting this drag me down. I need to know. I need to fix this. Even if it breaks me, I'd rather be shattered by the truth than slowly eaten alive by doubt.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I turned around and started running back toward the club. My heels weren't built for running, but adrenaline numbed the sting. My heart raced faster with every step, not just from the sprint but from the thought of what I was about to do.
I was going to tell Marcus. Tell him I liked him, tell him that if he wanted me, he had to go all the way in, no half-assed insults, no games, no pushing me away and then pulling me back like I was some toy.
But as I got closer to the side alley near the club, I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
There he was.
Marcus, I mean.
His back was pressed against the wall, his hands tangled in a girl's hair as he kissed her like he wanted to consume her. Her fingers clawed at his shirt, pulling him closer, while his mouth moved hungrily against hers. It wasn't soft. It wasn't hesitant. It was messy and passionate, the kind of kiss that left no space for doubt.
And it wasn't me.
I felt my knees wobble, my entire body stiffening. My voice wanted to scream, but nothing came out. I couldn't even breathe properly.
Then, the girl broke away just long enough to whisper, "Who was that girl?" She tilted her head in my direction, though I wasn't sure if she actually saw me through the shadows.
Marcus barely glanced up, his voice rough, careless. "She doesn't matter."
That was it. That was all he said.
Just three words.
I don't matter.
Something cracked inside me, sharp and painful, like glass shattering in slow motion.
Almost immediately, a low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Then the first droplets of rain fell, cold and stinging against my skin. Within seconds, it was pouring.
Marcus and the girl laughed, sprinting back toward the club for shelter. They didn't even notice.
And me? I just stood there.
I let the rain soak me, drenching my hair, my makeup smudging down my cheeks with the tears I couldn't hold back anymore. My heart was screaming, my chest aching so badly I had to clutch it as if that could hold me together.
It was the third time I broke down that night.
My phone buzzed in my bag, the vibration weak against the thunder. I pulled it out with shaking hands. Maxie's name lit up the screen. My best friend.
But I couldn't. I couldn't pick up. I didn't have the strength to explain why my world felt like it was crumbling. So I pressed decline, shoved the phone back, and let the rain hide me as I staggered home.
I noticed from a car that I was being watched... the eye was following my every movement and I became scared but looking closer even that car seemed familiar... Aec
"I must be cursed" I murmured under my breathe hard
I could see the smoke from his cigarette's coming out through his car window but he didn't do anything and for once I felt relieved that he knew his place.
---
The Morning After
I woke up with swollen eyes and a headache so heavy it felt like bricks were stacked on my skull. My bed sheets clung to me, damp from my rain-soaked body the night before.
I dragged myself up, every movement heavy, like I was moving through mud. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, I almost laughed, mascara streaked down my cheeks, my lips cracked, my eyes lifeless.
But instead of crying again, I straightened my shoulders.
If Marcus thought I didn't matter, then fine. I'd make sure he never saw me break again.
By the time I got to work, I had my armor on, a sharp dress, perfect hair, lips painted a confident red even though I didn't feel it. Inside, I was still in pieces. But outside? I was ice.
Maxie slid into my office a few hours later, her eyes full of concern. "Shay, what happened last night? You disappeared. I called..."
"I was busy," I cut her off, not even looking up from the stack of files on my desk.
"Busy?" She blinked. "You didn't pick my calls. I was worried."
"I had work to do," I said flatly, pushing another file aside. "And speaking of work, I'm taking on Taylor's reports for this week."
"Taylor's reports? That's not even your department!"
"Well, someone has to do it." I shrugged, flipping a page. "Better me than sitting around gossiping."
Maxie's mouth opened like she wanted to argue, but I slammed the file shut before she could. "I don't want to talk about it, Max."
Her shoulders slumped, and I hated how her face fell. But I couldn't. I couldn't let her in, not when my insides were still bleeding from Marcus's words.
"Hey Sharon, Mr Kade needs you" Joel called out... It was a perfect escape at the moment but I met something bigger outside, maybe Maxie was better ...
"Even under all the makeup, I can see the dark circles formed perfectly under your eyes"
It was Aec, the fact that the new CEO was in tight business with Aec felt like a threat but at the moment I was avoiding everyone... Including aec
Even Joel tried to strike up small talk at lunch, throwing one of his cocky smiles my way. Normally, I'd throw a snarky comeback or at least roll my eyes. But this time? I didn't even bother. I just kept typing, like his existence was as irrelevant as a flickering light bulb.
By closing time, I could feel Maxie's eyes drilling into my back as I packed my bag. She tried one last time.
"Shay, please, talk to me. What's going on?"
I zipped my bag and slung it over my shoulder, finally looking at her. My voice softened, but only a little. "Max, I'm tired. Let's just drop it."
Her lips pressed together, and for a second, I thought she'd cry. But then I exhaled, forcing a small smile. "Hey, remember that birthday party Marcus's friend invited us to? The one he mentioned a few days ago?"
Maxie blinked at me like she couldn't believe I brought it up.
"We're going," I said firmly.
---
I was exhausted but I forcefully created time for this party, Maxie and I dressed together at my place. She wore her usual fun, colorful style, bright red heels and a glittery dress. But me? I wanted revenge, even if I'd never admit it out loud.
I slipped into a black satin dress that clung to my hips in ways that felt dangerous. The neckline dipped low, the slit on the side revealing just enough thigh to make eyes follow me when I walked. My hair was styled in soft waves that framed my face, and I'd gone heavy on the highlighter, making my skin glow like fire under the lights.
When Maxie saw me, her jaw dropped. "Damn, Shay. You're… glowing."
"Good," I said simply, grabbing my clutch. "Let him choke on it."
The party was already alive when we arrived music pulsing, laughter echoing, drinks flowing. Marcus was there, of course. He spotted me instantly, his gaze lingering for a second too long before he turned away.
Fine. Two could play that game.
I wanted to have all the fun and at this party, I laughed louder than necessary, danced with strangers, made sure my smile looked effortless. But every time my eyes flicked back to Marcus, he was watching. Always watching but never reacting and somehow I still felt hurt.
Then came the games.
Someone shouted for Truth or Dare, and the crowd roared in approval. I tried to blend into the background, but fate had other plans.
"Sharon!" one of Marcus's friends called out, smirking. "Your turn."
My stomach twisted, but I lifted my chin. "Dare."
The smirk widened. "Kiss a guy. Right here. Right now."
The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles. My face heated, but I forced myself to stay cool. My eyes scanned the room, lingering briefly on Marcus. His jaw was tight, his eyes burning into me.
This was it. The moment.
Do I kiss someone else… and break him the way he broke me?
Or do I back out and let him think he still owns me?
The crowd chanted louder, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" as the game turned into a cliffhanger I could barely breathe through.