Liam and I had no choice but to meet at a nearby coffee shop—our last hope for some peace—to finish the assignment due tomorrow. Sinister was supposed to be here too, but just as I was setting up my notes, my phone buzzed.
Sinister:Can't make it. Family emergency. Cover for me?
I stared at the message for a second longer than necessary. The words blurred as my mind drifted back to the party, to her. The way Veronica pressed herself against him. The way she looked at me—like she had already won.
I wanted to believe him. I really did.
"I believe you." That's what I had told him. But belief was a fragile thing, and mine was already cracking.
Shaking off the thought, I showed Liam the message. He sighed, rubbing his temple but didn't protest. "Let's just get this done," he muttered, flipping open his laptop.
We worked in silence, the occasional clatter of cups and quiet hum of conversation blending into the background. I let myself get lost in it, in the steady rhythm of work, trying to ignore the gnawing thoughts in my head.
Then, the sharp click of heels broke through the quiet.
I didn't look up. I didn't want to look up.
But I felt it. That presence, thick with unwelcome familiarity.
Still, I kept my eyes on my notebook, fingers tightening around my pen. Maybe if I ignored her, she'd just disappear.
The heels stopped right beside me.
I exhaled slowly and turned.
Veronica.
She was smirking. Of course she was. Like she knew exactly what I was thinking. Like she had come here just to remind me.
"Hi, Liam," Veronica greeted, her voice syrupy sweet, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She spoke as if I wasn't even there, like I was nothing more than a shadow in the background.
Liam barely looked up. "Veronica," he grumbled, his tone flat, disinterested. I had a feeling he didn't like her either.
She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "How's the assignment coming along?"
Liam didn't bother answering. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "What exactly are you here for?" His voice carried an edge of irritation, making it clear he wasn't in the mood for small talk.
Veronica didn't seem fazed. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and sighed dramatically. "Can you tell me where Sinister is? I came to pick him up since we were supposed to go on a date, but he was running late."
Date.
The word clung to the air like poison.
I blinked, my fingers tightening around my pen. A date? With her? That didn't make sense. Sinister was with me. He was mine.
Was she lying? Trying to get under my skin? Or was this something worse—something I wasn't prepared for?
For a moment, I studied her, searching for a crack in her confidence, for a sign that she was bluffing. But all I saw was certainty.
A cold weight settled in my stomach. Maybe she was just desperate, creating some delusion to protect herself from the truth.
Just as I was gathering the courage to confront Veronica, a familiar voice sliced through the air.
Sinister.
He strolled in, effortlessly commanding attention, a bouquet of white orchids in his hands. My heart lurched. For a second—a stupid, fleeting second—I wanted to believe they were for me.
Then, reality hit like a slap.
"What are you doing here?" Sinister's tone was firm, almost irritated. "I told you to wait in the parking lot."
Before I could process his words, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Veronica's cheek.
The sight was a gut punch.
Veronica's hazel eyes sparkled as she reached for the bouquet. "These flowers are for me? How thoughtful of you," she gushed, holding them close like they were the most precious thing in the world.
I sat there, frozen, my body betraying me as my mind scrambled to catch up.
He lied.
He lied straight to my face.
The urgent family matter he needed to attend to was her.
"I stayed in the parking lot for an hour," Veronica pouted, grabbing his hand. "I thought you forgot about our date!"
Sinister chuckled, then—then—his gaze flickered toward me.
And he smiled.
Like it was nothing. Like I was nothing.
My nails dug into my palms, rage bubbling up inside me like a volcano threatening to erupt. I wanted to scream, to throw something, to demand answers. But I did none of those things.
Instead, I did what I always did.
I pretended.
I pretended he wasn't my boyfriend. That I hadn't been lied to. That my heart wasn't shattering into a thousand jagged pieces.
I lowered my gaze, forcing myself to focus on the assignment in front of me. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.
But Liam saw.
He had been watching me the whole time, his expression unreadable, tension thick between us.
Just as I opened my mouth to say something—anything to fill the silence—he beat me to it.
"Grace, you deserve someone better than him."
His words hit harder than I expected.
Before I could respond, he stood up and walked off to get us coffee.
I stared at the empty space he left behind, my chest tightening.
Sinister used to be loving. He used to care. For five years, he had been my everything. But lately, I barely recognized him. He was slipping away, and no matter how tightly I held on, it felt like he had already let go.
Would he call? Would he text? Would he apologize?
I clung to the hope that he would. That this was just a misunderstanding. That he still cared.
Liam's return jolted me from my thoughts. He set a steaming cup of coffee in front of me, clearing his throat to get my attention.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and muttered a quick, "Thanks."
The rest of the evening passed in silence, both of us lost in our work.
But just as I zipped up my bag, ready to leave, Liam spoke again.
"Grace."
The way he said my name made me pause.
I turned to him slowly, raising an eyebrow, silently daring him to continue.
Because if he was going to say his name—Sinister's—I wasn't sure I could handle it.
"I wanted to ask you something before you go. I actually hesitated to bring this up, but after what happened today, I feel like I should ask."
Oh, God. This is about Sinister, isn't it? Fuck.
"I need your help," Liam said.
"What?" I blinked at him, completely thrown off.
"Why are you telling me this? It sounds like you've already figured out the problem. What do you need my help for?"
He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "She works as my secretary," he admitted, almost sheepishly. Then, before I could question him further, he continued, "This Saturday, my company is hosting a party. Every employee is expected to attend, and everyone is allowed to bring a plus one. Ever since then, she's been pestering me to take her." He sighed, frustration evident in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow. "So…?"
"I told her I already have someone."
Oh. Oh. I think I know where this is going.
He hesitated before adding, "I was dating this girl for a while, but things ended because she got… too attached."
I nodded, following along.
"Please," he said suddenly, his voice dropping into something almost desperate. "I need someone—you—to help convince her that I'm done with her."
I tilted my head. "And how exactly do I fit into this mess?"
Liam leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "Sinister will be at the party."
My breath hitched.
"I know you two are having issues," he continued. "And after what I saw today… I don't think this is the first time something like this has happened, is it?"
I lowered my gaze, my mind flashing back to Sinister's words. "I won't do it again, Grace."
Liam's voice softened. "Grace, some people aren't who they claim to be. Some have different sides, and they use those sides to get what they want. But once you see those sides, it's up to you to decide what to believe." He paused. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
I brushed it off, not wanting to think about it. Instead, I smirked. "What do I get out of this?"
His lips twitched. "We get back at Sinister for what he did today." His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Come on, Grace. It's a win-win. Let's give him a taste of his own medicine."
I pretended to consider it, but I already knew my answer.
"Deal."
Liam grinned like he had just won some great battle. His smile was cute—but it was nothing compared to Sinister's.
Ugh. Why was I thinking about that jerk again?
Before I could dwell on it, Liam suddenly pulled me into a quick hug, catching me off guard. "Okay then, I'll bring your dress by Friday."
I nodded slightly, still processing everything as we parted ways.
The moment I stepped into my apartment, I kicked off my shoes, swapped my clothes for an oversized T-shirt, and collapsed onto the couch. I grabbed a bag of chips, cracked open a can of Coke, and turned on the TV.
Anime. That's exactly what I needed—something to distract me, to drown out the swirling mess of emotions in my head.
Ding.
My phone screen lit up.
1 New MessageSin
My chest tightened. Now he wanted to talk?
Sin:Grace, could we talk?6:03 PM
I scoffed. Oh, look who finally decided to message me! This man was unbelievable. Who does he think he is?
I typed back, fingers pressing harder than necessary.
Me:About?6:04 PM
A minute later—
Sin:About what happened today.6:06 PM
I clenched my jaw. Oh, so now he wanted to address it? As if he hadn't shattered something inside me? I inhaled sharply, then typed—
Me:There's nothing else to say. Enjoy the rest of your night, Mr. Romanov, and don't text me anymore. I'm done with it.6:06 PM
Lie.
I wasn't over it. I was still hurt. But he didn't get to know that.
Sin:Grace, I know you hate me right now, but please hear me out.6:07 PM
My fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Hate? That word felt too simple for the storm inside me. I didn't just hate him. I ached because of him.
Me:I don't want to hear anything. And yes, I HATE YOU. GOODNIGHT.6:08 PM
I tossed my phone onto the coffee table and ran a hand down my face. I needed to let this go. I needed to move on. But deep down, I wanted him to feel what I felt today. I wanted him to experience the same gut-wrenching pain, the same betrayal. And tomorrow, when he saw me with Liam, I hoped he'd feel it.
A final ding.
I didn't want to look. But I did.
Sin:Please give me one more chance.6:09 PM
I swallowed. My heart clenched.
One more chance?
Was this a game to him?
My hands trembled as I typed.
Me:Sinister, do you think this is a joke? Today, you showed me exactly who you are. And I was stupid enough to believe you were a good man. A decent person. If you wanted to end things, you could've just told me. But instead, you lied. You manipulated me. You took advantage of me. And I don't want someone like you in my life.
I stared at the words on the screen, then added—
Me:You mean nothing to me anymore. GOODBYE.6:11 PM
I turned off my phone and sank deeper into the couch, letting out a long, exhausted sigh.
Tomorrow was going to be awkward.