She Broke My Heart

Ethan's POV

My engagement with Iza made me feel whole. My once aimless life suddenly had meaning and purpose. I realized she was the missing piece I had been searching for.

Wiping the sweat from my brow with my shirt sleeve, I quickened my pace—I couldn't wait to see Meliza. Today, I had been assigned to the vegetable plantation, and the endless hours spent harvesting tomatoes kept me from seeing her.

Everything seemed to fall into place since Iza became my girlfriend—and now my fiancée. I felt confident about the future for the first time in a long while. Once my punishment was over, I would go home, face my father, and beg him to take me back. I was ready to prove that I could take over the company.

Vince greeted me with a concerned look as I stepped onto the front porch.

"Meliza's mother was here. It seems she found out about your engagement," Vince said, his voice heavy with concern.

"What?" A wave of anxiety washed over me, twisting my stomach into knots.

"Where's Meliza?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear. The thought of her leaving without saying goodbye sent a chill down my spine.

"Don't worry, she's still here," Vince reassured me. "Her mother tried to drag her away from the farm, but Meliza begged for a chance to say goodbye to you."

I swallowed hard, but Vince continued. "She was furious when she arrived—determined to take Iza back. I had to talk to her for a while before she finally calmed down."

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling inside me. "I'm surprised she showed up so suddenly. Someone must have told her about our relationship and engagement." I said.

Vince nodded before he responded, "Yeah, it feels like a betrayal."

"Only Ruby had Meliza's mother's contact number," I said, frowning. "But I don't think she would do this. She's always supported us and even wanted Iza to date me. She wouldn't betray her own best friend."

"Me too," Vince agreed, but the doubt lingered in his eyes.

Without another word, I excused myself and hurried to my fiancée's room, convinced that she wouldn't leave me despite everything. We were engaged, after all.

But my expectations shattered like fragile glass when Iza looked me in the eyes and told me it was over.

A sharp, piercing pain shot through my chest, leaving me breathless. I wanted to believe it was a bad dream, but the coldness in her gaze made it painfully real. I stood there, frozen in disbelief.

"Don't do this, Iza," I mumbled, stepping toward her, but she took a step back, her determination unwavering.

I tried to reason with her, to plead, but every time she asked how I planned to support her, I fell silent. I couldn't tell her that my future depended on reclaiming my inheritance and proving myself to my father.

That was the only way I could take care of her and build the life we dreamed of. But for now, she was right; I had nothing to offer.

Still, I refused to let her go. But then, she uttered the words that tore me apart: "I don't love you." It felt like a knife had been driven straight into my heart.

I walked out of her room, feeling utterly defeated. It was over. No matter how much I loved her, I couldn't do anything to change her mind.

But I'm not giving up on her. I have a plan, and I've asked my friends to help make this night unforgettable—if it's genuinely our last together. I want her to reconsider, to change her mind.

Ruby promised to bring Iza to the rooftop after dinner. I hadn't expected Nicole and her friends to be there, too, but asking them to leave would be unfair. The rooftop was open to everyone. Thanks to Nina, I kept it simple—just a small gathering with finger foods and nonalcoholic drinks.

Time dragged on until Ruby finally arrived with Iza. She looked so gloomy, and beneath her forced smile, I could see the sadness in her eyes.

When her gaze met mine, she quickly looked away and turned to Ruby, clearly upset that her best friend had agreed to this. I couldn't let Ruby take the blame.

"Iza, don't be mad at Ruby. This was my idea," I said, stepping in. "If this is the last time I get to see you, I just want it to be special."

She turned to me, disapproval written all over her face.

"I asked you not to make this harder," she said coldly. Her words cut deep. Nothing in her expression made me think she still loved me.

I couldn't understand how she could let go so easily, but a glimmer of hope remained—she hadn't returned the engagement ring.

The ring was a real diamond, a family heirloom my grandmother had entrusted to me. She told me that when I found 'the one,' I shouldn't hesitate to give it to her. But maybe Iza thought it was fake, that I was penniless and had nothing to offer her.

"Iza, please," I begged. "I love you and I'll do anything to win you back. Just tell me what to do."

She shook her head.

"I'll never let you go," I whispered, stepping closer, desperate to hold her.

But before I could reach her, she slapped me hard across the face. The sting burned as gasps echoed around us. My hand trembled as I touched my cheek.

"Ethan, I told you to stop," she snapped. "Why can't you understand that we're over? Nicole and her friends were right—I'm a social climber, and you have nothing to offer me. I had to dump you."

Without another word, she turned and hurried off the rooftop, leaving me shattered. Ruby ran after her, but I stood frozen, feeling more lost than ever.

The slap was nothing compared to the humiliation of hearing I had nothing to offer her. Despite everything, I hated myself for loving her even more.

It all felt unreal—how quickly things had changed. We were so happy, and then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. A sharp ache settled in my chest as if a part of me had been ripped away, leaving me hollow and drained of all joy and hope.

I couldn't believe Meliza had broken up with me. It hit like a sudden storm, leaving me stunned and struggling to process what had happened. The sting of her palm lingered on my face, a painful reminder of her rejection.

After everyone had left, I asked, "What did I do wrong, Vince?"

"Nothing. I don't think Iza stopped loving you. She must have her reasons," he softly replied.

I let out a bitter laugh. "You saw how she humiliated me. If she still cared, she wouldn't have done that." I sighed, gripping the railing tightly.

"I get it. Your ego's wounded, and you're hurting. You've never been dumped before," Vince said.

"I fucking love her, Vince. And it sucks," I muttered, feeling completely drained.

"Well, welcome to my world, lover boy," he teased, but I wasn't in the mood to laugh. He was right—this was my first heartbreak, and it felt awful.

After a long silence, he asked, "What now?"

"I'll give her space and stay away. The funny thing is, even after she slapped me and called herself a social climber, I still love her." I sighed. "It's pathetic, right?"

"You're not crazy," Vince said softly.

That night, I couldn't sleep. Exhaustion weighed on me, but I couldn't get out of bed. I didn't care if I got suspended again. Eventually, I dozed off, only to be jolted awake by loud knocking.

"Ethan, Iza is leaving! Her mom's here!" Vince yelled.

I jumped up, put on sweatpants and a T-shirt, and ran outside, Vince following close behind.

Panting, I reached the front porch, my heart pounding in my chest. Iza was already walking toward the white SUV, waiting for her. She wore her worn-out denim jeans and BB shirt, her hair whipping in the wind as she dragged her luggage behind her.

I had never been so afraid of losing someone as I watched Iza walk away from the farmhouse. Desperation took over, and I ran after her, calling her name. Relief flooded me when she stopped and turned to face me.

The tight press of her lips and the crease in her forehead spoke volumes. She stood still, waiting.

Then, the moment I dreaded most happened—she slipped off the engagement ring and handed it back to me without a word.

"Iza, please, don't do this. I love you. I've never needed anyone like this before. Just give me time, and I promise you'll have everything," I pleaded, clutching the ring tightly.

Tears welled in her eyes, but her voice was firm. "I'm sorry, Ethan. I don't love you and can't marry someone like you."

After that, she put on her sunglasses before turning around and running to the waiting car.

Her tears only made it more confusing—why was she crying if she didn't love me?

She didn't look back once. I sprinted after her, but fate wasn't on my side. I tripped and fell hard, watching helplessly as the white car disappeared down the road.

Iza was gone, taking a piece of me with her. The weight of rejection felt crushing and isolating. I realized love wasn't something I could control, and the helplessness was devastating.

Sadness and longing consumed me as I clung to a dream already shattered. My heart was determined to win her back, but reality hit hard: I was nothing without my father's wealth. Defeat tasted bitter, and for the first time, I understood what my father meant when he said, "Money is everything."

That day became the most painful in my life. Her hurtful words echoed in my head; I couldn't escape it, not even in my sleep.