Chapter 3
Rosalyn’s POV
Sliding the key into the lock, I hesitated for a brief moment before pushing the door open. My apartment, untouched for a year since I moved into Niklaus‘ house, greeted me with an unsettling familiarity. The furniture stood where I had left it–dusty and lifeless. The faint scent of lavender from the potpourri I once adored lingered, though now dulled by
time.
I dropped my box just by the door and flipped the light switch. The soft glow illuminated the space, casting shadows that felt more like ghosts of my former self. Setting my bag on
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the couch, I began rearranging the disarray. Pillows were fluffed, the coffee table wiped clean with a cloth I found tucked in a drawer, and my box unpacked halfway. I was busying myself with these mundane tasks when the sound of the door creaking open startled me.
“Rosalyn?”
I turned toward the doorway, forcing a weak smile as I saw who it was. “Hi, Abby,” I said, waving at my best friend.
“Rosalyn!” she exclaimed, rushing toward me and pulling me into a tight hug. Her excitement was palpable, her arms wrapping around me like a lifeline.
“When did you return to the city?” I asked, surprised. Abby had been living in the UK for
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Chapter 3
a year, and I hadn‘ t expected to see her so
soon.
“I landed a couple of hours ago,” she explained, pulling back to look at me. “I was unpacking in my apartment when I heard your door opening. I thought it might be an invader.”
“An invader? No, just me.” I forced a chuckle that felt foreign even to myself.
Her smile wavered, guilt flickering in her eyes. “Today was your wedding. I was supposed to attend, but I couldn’t. When I arrived, I heard the wedding was canceled. I tried calling you, but…”
I held up my phone and shook it slightly.
“Switched it off.”
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Chapter 3
Abby frowned, her concern deepening.
“What happened? Why did Niklaus cancel the wedding?”
“It’s nothing,” I lied, pausing to steady my voice as emotion threatened to crack it.
“Just…things.”
She tilted her head, her gaze unwavering.
“Rumors are flying that it’s because of a woman he adores. Is it true?”
I nodded stiffly, unable to meet her eyes. She gasped softly, pulling me into another embrace. “Rosalyn,” she murmured, her voice heavy with empathy. I held back my tears, biting my lip to keep my composure.
“I’m fine, Abby. Don’t worry,” I lied again, my voice barely above a whisper.
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She pulled back, her face twisting in anger.
“How dare he? After everything?”
I shrugged helplessly. “Please, just let me rest now.”
Reluctantly, Abby nodded. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “I’ll leave you for now, but we‘ re not done talking about this. You don‘ t deserve any of it.” With one last glance, she left the apartment, closing the door softly behind her.
Alone once more, I switched on my phone, hesitating only to turn off my location services. I didn’t want Niklaus to find me.
Not now.
A message pinged almost immediately.
“Rosalyn, please, where are you?”
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I stared at the text, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. After a moment, I typed back: “I’m somewhere you shouldn’t know.”
Before I could set the phone down, it buzzed in my hand, his name flashing on the screen. The call kept ringing, relentless, until I gave in and answered.
“Rosalyn,” Niklaus breathed, his relief evident. “Thank God. Why did you leave the house?”
“I figured I’ve got no reason to be there,” I replied coldly.
“What do you mean? You‘ re my soon–to–be wife-”
“Spare me that,” I snapped, cutting him off. “You don’t care about me one bit, Niklaus.
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That’s why you left me at the altar and ran off to Melanie!”
“No, Rosalyn,” he protested, his voice rising with urgency. “She collapsed. I couldn’t just leave her there. I had to take her to the hospital.”
I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh even to my ears. “When will you realize, Niklaus? She pulls these stunts at the perfect moment to set us apart.”
“Come on,
55
he groaned. “Don’t start this
again. Melanie isn’t a deceiver.”
“Really? Just for one day, you couldn’t
prioritize me? She wouldn’t have died if you stayed!”
His tone turned sharp. “Why are you being
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Chapter 3 so inconsiderate? That’s not like you.”
“Is it?” I shot back, anger boiling over.
“Rosalyn,” he began, his voice softening. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to hurt
I-
you. I—”
“You always run to her when she needs you,” I interrupted, my voice trembling. “But don’t pretend you love me. Your actions show otherwise.”
“No,” he argued. “I’m indebted to Melanie. She saved my father’s life two years ago. If it weren’t for her-”
“Yes, Niklaus, your father is alive. But this isn’t about her. Stop hiding behind your excuses. The truth is, you love her.”
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“That’s not fair,” he said quietly. “What
are you implying?”
“Tell me,” I demanded, my voice breaking. “Can you look me in the eye and say there’s nothing romantic between you and Melanie, the woman you used to crush on in high school?”
His silence was deafening.
“I thought you‘ d understand, Rosalyn,” he said finally, his voice laced with disappointment. “But I was wrong.”
“And I thought you’d never break me like this,” I whispered, my heart shattering.
“But I was wrong.”
“Rosalyn…” he began, but I didn’t let him finish.
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With trembling fingers, I hung up. I’m done
with his excuses.
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