Chapter 7

Alexander rushed toward me.

He swallowed hard.

“No, Bella. It’s not what you think.”

“Chloe passed out last night. I stayed and took care of her, so I couldn’t come home.”

“I swear. It won’t happen again.”

The first day Alexander and I moved in together, we made one rule.

No staying out all night.

Everything we had been through…

All the good memories…

I still wanted this to end with some dignity.

But looking at those two faces, something in me broke loose.

My voice came out shaking.

“Break up.”

That was all I could say.

Chloe shoved Alexander hard and snapped,

“Apologize to Bella! Beg her forgiveness!”

Then she dropped to her knees with a thud.

“Whatever happened, I’m sure it wasn’t your fault. Bella, I’ll apologize first, okay?”

But Alexander yanked Chloe back up.

His eyes were full of pain. For her.

Then he looked at me.

There was no guilt. Only disappointment.

“Bella. Apologize to Chloe.”

“We’ve put up with your temper for so long. But we get tired.”

“Can’t you grow up for once?”

“Why can’t you trust us the way we trust you?”

Something inside me snapped for good.

I felt nothing. Just numb.

“You cheated on me.”

“And you still keep acting?”

“If you don’t leave, I’ll have security walk you out.”

Chloe pulled Alexander away.

As they left, she leaned in close to him —

but made sure I could hear every word.

“Let her cool off first.”

“Who knows who upset her this time? Now she’s taking it out on us.”

“I bet she binged some soap opera and decided she's the main character.”