Chapter 8
I sniffed and looked away from Abby, pretending her words didn’t sting. “It’s fine,” I murmured, grabbing another dress from the wardrobe–anything but the one Niklaus bought me.
“The makeup doesn’t hide how bad you feel. You look sad,” Abby said softly, her voice carrying that familiar note of concern.
“I’m all good.” I forced a smile, though it felt like the weight of the world was crushing my chest.
The taxi ride to the resort was uneventful, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing. When we pulled up, the sight of the towering building
20% 19:59
1/14
Chapter 8
took my breath away. It wasn‘ t just a hotel; it was one of the city’s most luxurious seven-
star resorts, a haven for the elite. The valet ushered me through the grand entrance, where chandeliers sparkled like diamonds
above a marble floor that seemed to stretch
endlessly.
I learned that Niklaus had reserved the entire fifth floor for the dinner. Typical Niklaus, I thought. It was his style–grandiose and over the top, even when his actions felt so empty to
me now.
The elevator whisked me upward, and soon I found myself in front of the reserved suite. My hand hovered over the door handle, but voices from inside stopped me. I froze, listening.
20% 19:59
2/14
Chapter 8
“You‘ re always what he wanted, Melanie. Don’t you think so, Mother?” It was Cherry’s voice, sharp and condescending.
“Yes,” Mrs. McDonald responded, her tone icy. “I don’t even know why he went for Rosalyn. She just wants to rip him off because he helped her clear her mother‘ s medical bills years ago.”
Cherry laughed bitterly. “Exactly, Mother. She acts like she’s independent, but without Niklaus, she’s nothing. Unlike you, Melanie.”
Melanie’s voice came next, soft and humble.
“I don’t want to speak ill of her. Rosalyn seems nice.”
“Don’t be modest, my dear,” Cherry said
20% 19:59
3/14
Chapter 8
sweetly. “Tell us, do you like Niklaus?”
“I love him,” Melanie admitted quietly. “I think we’d make a good pair.”
“Exactly, my dear. You‘ re fitting for my son,” Mrs. McDonald affirmed.
Cherry scoffed. “I don‘ t like Rosalyn at all.”
“But you‘ re nice to her,” Melanie pointed out gently.
“What can we do? Niklaus begged us to show her some kindness,” Cherry replied. “She was a bother. And honestly, Niklaus still likes you, Melanie.”
Melanie sounded surprised. “He used to have a crush on me back in high school. I had
-20% 19:59
4/14
Chapter 8
no idea he felt something real for me.”
“Oh, he does,” Cherry said smugly. “He told me when he was drunk once. And you know drunk words are sober thoughts.”
I stepped back quietly, my stomach churning. Abby was right. I shouldn’t have come. Niklaus loved Melanie, not me. I was just a placeholder, someone to fill the void while she wasn’t around. Now that she was back, I was obsolete. It was so obvious but I had ignored it all these while, holding onto that tiny hope that maybe I was overthinking it.
I turned and headed to the elevator. My hands trembled as I pressed the button, desperate to leave. The doors opened, and I bumped into someone stepping out. A familiar,
20% 19:59
Chapter 8
intoxicating scent hit me before I even looked
- up. It was Niklaus.
“Rosalyn.” His eyes lit up with a mix of relief and surprise. “I’m glad you came.”
Without a word, I shoved past him and stepped into the elevator. He called my name, but I ignored him, willing the doors to close faster. By the time I reached the lobby, I was practically running, but he caught up with me just as I reached the exit.
“What’s wrong, Rosalyn? Why are you leaving?” he demanded, grabbing my arm to
stop me.
I turned to face him, my eyes burning.
“Melanie. You love her, don’t you?” My
voice cracked.
20% 19:59
6/14
Chapter 8
He blinked, taken aback. “What?”
“You had a crush on her back in high school.
You told me that years ago, remember?”
“Yeah, but-”
“You still love her. Don’t you?” I interrupted, my voice rising.
He said nothing, his silence louder than any words. My heart shattered all over again. I shook my head, jerking my arm free. “You know what? Forget it. I’ve had enough.”
“Rosalyn, please,” he said, desperation creeping into his voice as he grabbed my arm again. “What went wrong tonight? Let’s talk things out.’
“Talk what out?” I spat. “You thoughtlessly
- 20% 20:00
7/14
Chapter 8
canceled our wedding for Melanie. After five years of being your fiancée, you couldn’t even face me. You canceled it with a message, Niklaus. A message!”
His expression twisted with guilt. “Rosalyn
33
“I stood at the altar alone, Niklaus,” I cut him off. “Do you have any idea how humiliating that was? Everyone was there, watching me, pitying me. Do you know how that felt?”
He looked like he wanted to say something, but no words came. He was always like this- speechless when it mattered most.
I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and pained. “Of course. You can’t even promise
20% 20:00
Chapter 8
me anything now, can you? You never could.
And you never will.”
“You’ve got it wrong, Rosalyn,” he said, his voice trembling. “I thought you understood me.”
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m done. I’m done with you always putting Melanie first, with you refusing to see her for who she really is. Everyone else may think she’s perfect, but I see her. She’s manipulative, Niklaus. And you’re too blind to see it because you want her.”
“That’s not true,” he insisted. “I need you, Rosalyn. You‘ re what I truly need.”
“Then prove it,” I challenged. “Promise me that you’ll be mine completely. Promise
#.20% 20:00
Chapter 8
me that Melanie will no longer come before me. Make your choice–me or her.”
He hesitated, his eyes filled with conflict.
“Rosalyn, Melanie saved my father’s life. I owe her everything. That’s why I can’t forsake her at anytime…”
“But you can forsake me?” I interrupted, my voice breaking.
“No, it’s not like that,” he pleaded. “Just let me fix this. Let me make up for disappointing you.”
“You can’t make up for it, Niklaus. You‘ ve had countless chances, and you’ve failed every single time.” I stepped back, shaking my head. “It’s over. It’s officially over between us, Niklaus McDonald. I never want
# 20% 20:00
10/14
Chapter 8
to see you again. Goodbye.”
I turned and walked away, my steps heavy but resolute. He didn’t call after me. He didn‘ t
stop me.
The taxi ride home was a blur. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stared at my phone, hoping–praying–that he‘ d call. I hadn’t blocked his private number. I couldn’t bring myself to, not yet. A part of me still hoped he’d fight for me. But the screen stayed dark, and my heart sank deeper.
When I got home, I collapsed onto my bed, sobbing uncontrollably. I loved him so much. I never thought I’d have the strength to cut him out of my life, but tonight had shown me the truth–I was nothing more than a second
Chapter 8
choice.
I dragged myself to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. When I returned to my room, my reflection in the mirror showed puffy eyes and damp hair.
My phone buzzed, and I checked it out of habit. A message from Cherry. {You always make things hard for Niklaus. Don’t weigh him down.}
“Weigh him down? My foot,” I muttered bitterly, tossing the phone aside.
I settled on the bed and took the phone again as a notification popped up. Melanie’s latest Instagram post. I clicked on it, my chest tightening as her photo loaded. She was with Niklaus, both of them smiling at each other
20% 20:00
12/14
Chapter 8
inside the resort. The caption read, “A special dinner with a special man in my life.”
I laughed bitterly, my fingers trembling as I scrolled to the next photo. They were holding hands, their expressions blissful. Like
nothing had happened. Like I didn’t even
exist.
“Congratulations,” I typed in the comments. before blocking her. I should’ve done it ages ago. Accepting her friend request had been a mistake–one I only made because Niklaus
wanted me to.
I was about to drift off when my phone
buzzed again. His private number. My heart ached, but I didn’t answer. Instead, I
Chapter 8
blocked him too.
I was done. Done being a second choice. Done being hurt. Done with Niklaus
McDonald.
