I No Longer Mattered

Meliza's POV

I stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around me as I leaned against the railing. My thoughts drifted to Ruby and the promises I had made. I told her I would marry Elijah only to ease her worries. The truth was, I had no intention of surrendering to him.

Yet, as my mind wandered to Ethan and his girlfriend, a sharp ache twisted inside me. I hated him for breaking my heart, but I couldn't deny the truth. I had never really gotten over him.

How pathetic was I? Still foolish enough to dream he'd apologize one day? That he'd look at me with regret in his eyes, beg me to take him back, tell me he still loved me?

But I knew better.

I had run from Elijah that night not just for my freedom but because, deep down, I still clung to the fragile hope that fate would bring Ethan and me back together. That somehow, some way, things would get better.

But I was a fool. It was too late.