Chapter 41: The True Story

*Leah*

I stood there alone, my heart heavy with pain and my eyes stinging with tears. It was a feeling that I never wanted to experience again. I couldn't believe what just happened. This wasn't how today was supposed to go. We were supposed to be in bed by now, holding each other close. I shut my eyes painfully, holding my chest.

I knew it would happen, I just didn't expect it so soon.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down, but it was no use. The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was drowning in my own despair. I wanted to scream, to shout, to do anything to make the pain go away. But all I could do was stand there, alone and helpless.

As I closed my eyes, memories of my time with Declan came flooding back to me. The way he had held me close, the way he had whispered sweet nothings in my ear, the way he made me feel alive. But now, all of that is gone. It was obvious in the way Declan looked at me now, how he had moved away from my touch.

I collapsed on