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Chapter 5

Author: Howl
My heart jumped—just for a second.

I glanced at the document. Yep. The program confirmation.

Her face stayed dark.

I kept it easy. Casual.

"It's for Caleb. His family's super strict—won't let him go anywhere. So we used my info. He got in, and I was just dropping the papers off."

She stared at me, clearly not buying it.

I reached out and took the file from her hand anyway.

Only then did she finally breathe out. "Guess what I brought back for you?"

I paused. Let it hang.

"Your homemade chocolate cake."

Her eyes flickered. Surprise, real this time.

"How did you know?"

How could I not?

Back when we were dating, she was always baking—cakes, pastries.

She said she wanted to fatten me up so no one would steal me.

The truth?

Her cakes were always too bitter. Too heavy. Way too much.

I still ate every bite. Never complained.

Until the day she finally found out and broke down in my arms.

"It's so bitter," she cried. "Why do you keep eating it?"

I'd stroked her hair, smiling
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    Her expression changed.She went quiet for a beat, then said softly, "Then I'll stay with you today. Get in the car first. Wait for me."Seeing she was about to come back inside, I cut myself a slice of cake and sat down in the living room.Like none of it ever happened."Glen, work's been crazy lately. I still have to head out. Wait for me, okay? Once I'm done, I'll stay with you for a few days."She watched me closely. Hopeful. Waiting.I already knew I'd let her down."Go ahead," I said. "Do what you need to do."She froze.The softness in my voice was gone. So was the love in my eyes.Panic flickered across her face—then a car horn blared outside.We both knew who that was.I dropped my gaze and took another bite of cake.That did it.She relaxed.Didn't think twice. Just waved and turned to leave.I spat the bitter cake into the trash and wiped my mouth.Then I grabbed the acceptance letter for the volunteer teaching program and the suitcase I'd packed ages ago. H

  • Cheaters Talk Too Loud   Chapter 5

    My heart jumped—just for a second.I glanced at the document. Yep. The program confirmation.Her face stayed dark.I kept it easy. Casual."It's for Caleb. His family's super strict—won't let him go anywhere. So we used my info. He got in, and I was just dropping the papers off."She stared at me, clearly not buying it.I reached out and took the file from her hand anyway.Only then did she finally breathe out. "Guess what I brought back for you?"I paused. Let it hang."Your homemade chocolate cake."Her eyes flickered. Surprise, real this time."How did you know?"How could I not?Back when we were dating, she was always baking—cakes, pastries.She said she wanted to fatten me up so no one would steal me.The truth?Her cakes were always too bitter. Too heavy. Way too much.I still ate every bite. Never complained.Until the day she finally found out and broke down in my arms."It's so bitter," she cried. "Why do you keep eating it?"I'd stroked her hair, smiling

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