Sara’s POV I spent the next hour in a haze, replaying everything that had happened between Zack and me. Each memory felt like a sharp, painful reminder of the betrayal I couldn’t seem to shake off. It wasn’t just about Cassandra; it was about the lies, the secrecy, and the fact that Zack didn’t trust me enough to be honest from the start. My phone buzzed again, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—another message from Aaron. *“Sara, I know it’s hard, but Zack really wants to talk to you. He’s outside, waiting for you to be ready.”* I stared at the message, my heart pounding in my chest. Part of me wanted to ignore it, to stay curled up on this couch and let the world outside sort itself out. But another part of me, the part that still loved Zack despite everything, wanted to see him, to demand answers, and to understand why he kept hurting me like this. With a deep breath, I got up and grabbed my coat. Mary looked up from her magazine, her eyes questioni
Sara’s POV The next morning, I woke up in Mary’s guest bedroom, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness. The familiar scent of her home, with its warm, comforting atmosphere, did little to ease the turmoil in my heart. I glanced at the soft pink walls and the framed photos of us over the years, memories that once brought a smile to my face now only served as a painful reminder of the life I’d temporarily left behind. I sighed deeply, pulling myself out of bed. I had cried myself to sleep last night, and the weight of it still clung to me. The more I thought about Zack and Cassandra, the tighter the knot in my chest grew. I couldn’t stay here forever, but I wasn’t ready to face him either. As I padded down the hallway to the kitchen, I heard the soft clinking of dishes. Mary was already up, making breakfast, and the aroma of coffee filled the air. She looked up as I entered, concern written all over her face. “Hey, you’re up,” she said gently, setting down a mug of coffee i
Sara’s POV The night was restless. I tossed and turned, sleep eluding me as the events of the day replayed in my mind like a broken record. The memory of Zack's words, his pleas, his attempts to fix what was shattered, haunted me. But it was Cassandra’s voice that echoed the loudest, taunting me with the knowledge that I wasn’t the first, that Zack had lied to me, hidden things from me. I felt betrayed, a fool for trusting so easily. Finally, just before dawn, I gave up on sleep altogether. I got out of bed and stared out the window at the city below, the lights beginning to flicker out as the sun started its slow climb over the horizon. The morning light did nothing to chase away the darkness that had settled in my heart. I grabbed my phone and checked the time. It was still early, but I needed to get moving. The sooner I was out of here, the better. I freshened up, threw on some clothes, and made my way to the lobby. The hotel was quiet, only a few guests milling about. I ch
Sara’s POV I rushed outside, my chest heaving with every breath, the tears that had been threatening to spill finally breaking free. The night air was cool, but it did nothing to soothe the fire of pain and betrayal burning inside me. I pressed a hand to my mouth, stifling the sobs that threatened to escape, but it was no use. The dam had broken, and there was no holding back. I sank onto the steps, burying my face in my hands as the tears flowed freely. Everything felt like it was falling apart. Six months into this marriage, and it seemed like every day brought a new secret, a new lie. How had we gotten here? How had everything gone so wrong? For a moment, I considered ending it all—just walking away from this mess, from Zack, from everything. It seemed like the only way to stop the pain. But even as I thought it, my heart ached at the idea of leaving him. Despite everything, I still loved him. But how could I stay when it felt like I didn't even know the man I married? I
Sierra’s POV He hesitated, as if weighing his next words carefully. “Because, Sierra… you’re more important than you realize. And there’s something coming—something bigger than the Lawrences, bigger than me or you. You’re at the center of it, whether you like it or not.” A cold shiver ran down my spine. “What are you talking about?” “Just trust me,” he said. “I’ll explain everything in time, but for now, you need to keep your eyes open. The Lawrences may protect you, but even they can’t shield you from what’s coming.” I stared at him, my mind spinning. I wanted to push him for more answers, but the weight in his voice—the urgency—kept me silent. Instead, I found myself asking, “Why now? Why tell me this tonight?” He leaned back, his expression softening slightly. “Because waiting any longer would’ve been a mistake. You deserve to know the truth, Sierra. Even if it’s only a fraction of it.” Before I could respond, movement in the shadows caught my attention. M
Sierra’s POV Liam: Hey. About earlier. I think we should talk. Meet me at the park tonight? The park. At night. The idea felt both thrilling and dangerous. I hesitated before typing back a response. Me: What is this about? His reply was almost immediate. Liam: Everything you’ve been wondering. Just trust me, okay? Trust. That word carried so much weight these days, and I wasn’t sure I could give it freely anymore. But the curiosity gnawed at me, and before I could overthink it, I typed back: Me: Fine. What time? Liam: 8 PM. Don’t be late. I shoved my phone back in my pocket, my mind racing. If Liam was finally willing to explain things, then I had to go. Maybe this would be the moment everything finally started to make sense. Later that evening, as the clock neared eight, I stood at the bottom of the staircase, clutching my phone tightly. Bella was sprawled across the couch, scrolling through her phone. She looked up when she noticed me hove