Chapter 6 ~ Broken

You've never loved hard enough if you've never stayed up all night staring at the wall, hoping the plain colours will stop the ache of your heart. "I love you." Words |haven't dared to say in three years rolled out of her tongue like she was saying her name. Did he say it back? Just the thought of him telling Leah he loves her, even though I've known that for three years, does horrible things to my poor heart. It's been two days and | still can't get the scene out of my head. | stare at the wall, wondering why I'm still here. Because you're hoping he'll love you instead. A voice whispers, and | shut it down. The vibrating of my phone pulls out, and | stare at the screen flashing Ariana. My mother-in-law. "Hi, mum." | breathe. Hoping my voice is giving away. "Hi, baby." She cools. "I've been trying to reach your husband and can't get through. Is he home?" Right, the happy couple. That's my role. "No. He left early this morning." | respond, hoping my voice isn't sounding like a damn broken record. "I'm about to lose my mind! This boy will kill me! | have to get those reports before my trial this afternoon." Ariana responds, her voice etched in frustration. "I'm sorry about that. When he gets here, I'll ask him to call you." "No. It will be too late. Can you - ugh! I'm so sorry, dear, but I'm desperate. Can you just visit his office and pick them up for me? | Know your school is next to my building and you have classes soon, right?" My heart stops. Do | really have to? Seeing him is not really what I'm looking forward to right now. But | know if | don't agree, she'll sense something is wrong. | clear my throat, gripping my phone tighter. "Of course, Mum. I'll head there right away." "Thank you, sweetheart. | I don't know what I'd do without you." A forced smile tugs at my lips as | murmur a goodbye and hang up. My hands tremble slightly as | grab my bag and head out. I'm really not in the mood to go out.... Okay, maybe | do want to see him... So | can smack his stupidly perfect face and maybe feel better from the ache he's caused. The cool air does nothing to soothe the tightness in my chest. Maybe he's just busy. Maybe there's a logical explanation. These excuses I've been making for him are beginning to sound even more pathetic as days go by. To make it worse, my mind won't stop replaying the image of Leah in his arms. That victorious smile, the way she clung to him like she belonged there. Like she was staking her claim. Did he tell her he loves he too? That he will marry her within a few weeks? The thought alone makes my stomach churn. By the time | reach Alex's office, my heart is pounding in my ears. Ryan, his assistant, looks up from his desk as | approach. Usually, he barely glances before letting it pass. But today, something shifts in his expression. His lips press into a thin line, and he rises from his seat, stepping in front of the door. "Mrs. King," he greets, his voice careful. Ryan is one of the few people who know Alex and | is actually married. "I'm afraid you can't go in right now." | blink. "Ryan, | just need to grab something quickly for my mum-in-law.I t's an emergency." He hesitates, glancing at the closed door behind him. "I understand, but | can't let you in." "It'll just take a minute. You know she'll have both our heads. I'm just picking up sdocuments." "I'm sorry, ma'am." His voice is firm but polite. "I have strict orders," Strict orders? Since when? Against me? But | can't bring myself to shamelessly ask who else that applies to. A sinking feeling spreads through me, tightening around my lungs. My fingers curl into my palm as frustration bubbles up. I'm about to turn away, to leave before | make a scene, when the door creaks open. My breath catches in my throat. Expecting Alex to step out. But it's Leah who steps out, her eyes twinkling with mischief. Her lipstick is smeared, staining the edges of her lips like she's just been thoroughly kissed. Her blouse is haphazardly buttoned, leaving a crazy amount of skin exposed. Her golden hair is tousled, like fingers had been running through it. Like Alex's fingers had been running through it. The color drains from my face as she tilts her head, her gaze locking onto mine. Then, as if she hasn't already punched the gut, she smirks. "Oh," she purrs, feigning innocence. "Athena. Didn't see you there." My throat tightens. My nails bite into my palm. I'm angry, and I'll be damned if I'll let her walk over me. Leah steps forward, brushing past as she adjusts the open buttons of her blouse with no urgency, no shame. | turn to look at Ryan, but his eyes are everywhere else but on me. He knew. Her voice drops to a taunting whisper. "If you're looking for Alex, he's a little... preoccupied. Maybe cback later?" She lets out a soft, breathy laugh before sauntering away, her hips swaying like she owns the damn place. | stand frozen, my heart hammering in my chest, my world tilting on its axis. The door is still slightly ajar. But | can't move. Because if | do, | might just break.