Chapter 3

I kept a straight face, preserving my dignity. Yet, the second I got into the cab, my strong front crumbled, and I bawled my eyes out. I huddled in the corner, hugging my knees as my tears soaked through my clothes.

The condition I thought I had finally gotten a handle on flared up again, pushing me to the edge. As soon as I got home, I completely trashed the place.

I let the glass slash my hands and blood pool on the floor, but I still refused to stop. It felt as though this was the only way I could suppress the fear inside me.

Then, I found the knife Carissa had hidden away and aimed it right at my arm.

At that moment, the door was kicked open. Landon was panting when he barged in and snatched the knife out of my hand. His eyes were bloodshot and burning with anger.

"Are you out of your mind? When did you become like this, Rosalie?"

When? Maybe it started during those eight years he refused to marry me. Or maybe it was when he hid the fact that he was going abroad to study, and I was the last person to find out.

Back then, the moment I regained consciousness from the car crash, I threw everything to the wind and dialed Landon's number, begging him not to leave me behind. I would never forget how cold he was.

"You need to grow up, Rosalie. Are you going to die without me?" he said.

Before I could respond, he hung up on me.

He had forgotten that my parents had died and that, aside from Carissa, he was the only one I had left. However, Carissa was busy taking care of her child and her husband, whom she kept a secret from me. Who else did I even have?

I spent my days in a world without light, reduced to little more than a shell of myself. Every time I tried to talk to Landon, he would shut me out, claiming he was too busy with work. But now, I knew that was just an excuse to avoid me.

He already had a happy family of his own and a three-year-old son. Meanwhile, I could only live in a fantasy—a fantasy where Landon would keep his promise and come back to marry me.

"Mind your own business," I bit back.

After snapping back to reality, I felt the pain become even clearer. I sidestepped Landon to the bedroom, but he followed me.

"I know I did you dirty, but Cari's innocent. You really don't have to cut her off. You know she cares about your friendship more than anything."

Carissa cared about me? She cared about me enough to end up in bed with him and have his child. Yet, she still kept me completely in the dark, keeping me company as I waited for a tomorrow that would never come.

Before I could say a word, Landon had already lowered his head and started bandaging my wounds. It was just like the old days. Knowing I was terrified of pain, he gently blew on them.

It felt as though nothing about him had changed, yet everything had. Perhaps the truth was just that he didn't love me anymore.

"I didn't mean to keep it from you. I merely never found the right moment to tell you." He set the bandages down, his tone softening considerably. "Give me some time, Rosalie. Once Leo grows up, I'll divorce her, and I'll give you the wedding I promised. It's just that…"

It's just that it can't be right now.

He still couldn't return to my side. He wanted to be a good father, a good husband. The only thing he could offer was empty promises.

All of a sudden, I realized how pathetic I was. After losing my parents, I lived for friendship. After meeting Landon, I lived for love.

I had been alive all this time, only to end up becoming the very person I always hated. Consequently, this time, I decided to be a little selfish and live for myself.

A few days later, I booked a flight to Zelani. It was my dream destination.

Landon had told me he would hold our wedding there. So, I waited and waited until I fell ill, until he grew tired of me. Still, that day never came.

This time, I planned to go alone.