Chapter 47

Jacob felt a mix of anger and disappointment surge within him. He braked slightly, the sound of the tires on the asphalt breaking the silence that had settled between them.

— Gloria... you really don’t understand anything, do you? he spat, his jaw clenched. I waited for years for you to see me, to consider me more than just another suitor. But you made your choice. I accepted that. Now, I love Charlotte. She makes me happy in ways you never even tried to.

Gloria's heart raced. She hadn't expected such a firm, definitive response. She thought her charms, her allure, would be enough to sway Jacob, to reignite feelings she believed were still there.

— I can’t believe you’ve moved on... with *her*. She doesn’t deserve you the way I did. We were meant to be together, you and I...

Jacob cut her off sharply.