Chapter 1: A Heart Shattered

Rebecca stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the delicate silver necklace that Noah had given her for their three-year anniversary. It sparkled under the warm light, a reminder of the love they had shared—at least, the love she thought they had shared.

Her long, wavy brown hair cascaded over her shoulders as she smoothed down the hem of her dress. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration—one of the last big events before graduation. The air buzzed with anticipation; their senior year was coming to an end, and life after high school felt like an open book waiting to be written.

Noah had been her world for four years. He wasn't just the football captain—he was her first love, her best friend, the boy she dreamed of spending forever with. He had promised her a future, one where they would go to college together and build their lives side by side.

But all of that came crashing down in an instant.

Rebecca's heart pounded as she walked through the crowded halls of the school gymnasium. The annual senior banquet was in full swing—laughter echoed, music pulsed through the air, and students danced under the dim glow of fairy lights. She searched for Noah, expecting to find him waiting for her with his signature smirk, his arms open, ready to pull her into his embrace.

Instead, she found something else.

The moment she spotted him across the room, her breath caught in her throat. Noah was there, but he wasn't alone. Stacy—her best friend, the girl she had trusted with her deepest secrets—was wrapped around him, her hand resting possessively on his chest. They were whispering, laughing, looking at each other with an intimacy that sent ice through Rebecca's veins.

For a moment, she convinced herself that she was imagining things. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Maybe Stacy was just being friendly—until Noah turned and kissed her.

The room seemed to spin around Rebecca. The music, the laughter, the chatter—it all became white noise.

Her heart shattered into a million pieces.

She felt her body trembling, her breath hitching in her throat. The betrayal hit her like a tidal wave, knocking the air from her lungs. This wasn't just some random girl—it was Stacy. The girl who had been her sister in every way except blood. The one she had trusted, confided in, loved like family.

And now, Stacy was the one carrying Noah's child.

Rebecca barely remembered running out of the gym. The night air was sharp against her skin, but the chill was nothing compared to the ice in her chest. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone, desperately scrolling through her messages.

Noah had been distant for weeks, making excuses, skipping their usual study dates. And Stacy… she had been acting strangely too, dodging her calls, avoiding eye contact. It all made sense now.

She clenched her fists, a mix of anger and heartbreak surging through her. How could they? How could Noah, the boy she had loved for years, throw away everything they had built? And Stacy—how could she betray their friendship so easily?

A notification flashed on her phone.

Noah Parker posted a new photo.

Against her better judgment, she opened it.

It was a picture of him and Stacy at the banquet, his arm wrapped around her waist, her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. The caption made Rebecca's stomach churn.

"Our little family is growing. Can't wait to meet our baby boy."

Tears blurred Rebecca's vision. It wasn't just that he had cheated—it was the way he flaunted it, as if their love had meant nothing.

She dropped her phone onto the pavement, pressing a hand to her chest as sobs wracked her body. The pain was unbearable.

The days that followed were a blur. Whispers filled the hallways whenever she passed. People stole glances at her, some filled with pity, others with amusement.

"Did you hear? Noah got Stacy pregnant."

"I feel bad for Rebecca, but maybe she should've seen it coming."

"She must be so humiliated."

The worst part wasn't even the whispers—it was the way Noah acted as if she didn't exist. He walked past her in the halls without a second glance, while Stacy clung to him like a trophy. They made sure everyone knew they were together now.

Her so-called friends had chosen sides too. The people she had grown up with, the ones who had once sworn loyalty to her, now ignored her texts, sat on the opposite side of the cafeteria, and treated her as if she were invisible.

Rebecca had never felt so alone.

She stopped eating, stopped sleeping. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Noah and Stacy, laughing at her expense. The betrayal cut so deep that she couldn't imagine ever healing from it.

But one thing was certain—she couldn't stay here.

She had to leave. She had to get out of this town, out of this nightmare.

And so, she made a decision.

The day after graduation, she packed her bags, bought a one-way ticket, and left for New York City.

A new life awaited her there. A life where no one knew her name, where she could start fresh.

She wasn't looking for love. She wasn't looking for friendships.

She was looking for herself.

And she was determined to find her—no matter what it took.