Chapter 1: THE PAINFUL TRUTH

ISLA'S POV

Today marked a year since Jason and I officially became a couple. It felt surreal; I had never been this serious about anyone. Jason was charming, attentive, and supportive— or so I thought. He owned a quaint café near my college, where I worked part-time to make ends meet. The café wasn’t just a workplace for me; it felt like a second home, mostly because Jason was there.

To celebrate our anniversary, I decided to surprise him with a gift. After weeks of saving from my modest earnings, I finally bought him a watch that I thought he’d love. It wasn’t fancy, but it was meaningful— every time he checked the time, he’d think of me. At least, that’s what I hoped.

The salesgirl behind the counter looked at me with a mixture of pity and amusement as I handed her my hard-earned cash. “You’re really buying this for someone?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” I said, feeling a bit self-conscious. “It’s for someone special.”

She smirked, clearly unimpressed, and handed me the neatly wrapped box. I didn’t care what she thought. I walked out of the store, clutching the gift tightly, and allowed myself to daydream about the evening ahead.

Jason had been acting strange lately— distracted, even distant at times— but I brushed it off as stress from running the café. Tonight, I was certain he’d make up for it. He always did.

When I arrived at the café, Judith greeted me with her usual cheerful smile. Judith was more than a colleague; she was my confidante and best friend. She always knew how to lift my spirits, and today was no exception.

“Hey, Isla,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “Guess who’s been MIA all day?”

“Jason?” I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.

“Bingo. Haven’t seen him since morning.”

I frowned but quickly forced a smile. Maybe he was planning a surprise for our anniversary. That would explain his absence. The thought filled me with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

The rest of my shift dragged on. Every time the door opened, I hoped it was Jason walking in with flowers or something special. But he never showed.

By evening, my anticipation had turned into mild frustration. I had just finished my shift and was getting ready to leave when my phone buzzed. It was an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Is this Isla?” a male voice asked.

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“This is Liam, Jason’s friend. He’s at The Lounge, completely wasted. Thought you should know.”

My stomach dropped. Jason was at a bar? On our anniversary? Anger bubbled inside me, but I decided to go and get him. Maybe he had some reason, though I couldn’t imagine what.

The Lounge was dimly lit, with music so loud it made my chest vibrate. I scanned the room, and my heart sank when I spotted Jason. He wasn’t just drinking. He was with her— his ex.

I froze, watching as they leaned into each other. And then it happened. She kissed him. No, he kissed her back.

Fury and heartbreak exploded within me. My hands trembled as I grabbed the nearest glass of what I assumed was someone’s cocktail. Before I could second-guess myself, I marched over and doused them both in the sticky liquid.

Jason leaped to his feet, his face a mix of shock and anger. His ex, drenched and glaring at me, looked like she was ready to pounce.

“What the hell, Isla?” Jason barked, wiping his face.

I ignored his outrage and glared at him. “Do you even know what day it is?” I demanded, my voice shaking.

He blinked, confusion flashing across his face. Then, realization dawned. His guilt lasted all of two seconds before it was replaced by irritation.

“You can’t be serious,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

“Serious?” I spat. “It’s our anniversary, Jason. I spent weeks saving for your gift, planning this day, and this is what I get? You with her?” I jabbed a finger toward his ex.

Jason sighed heavily, like I was the one being unreasonable. “Isla, don’t make a scene,” he said, lowering his voice. “We both know this relationship wasn’t going anywhere.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. “What are you talking about?”

He glanced at his ex before turning back to me. “I’ve always seen you as... a replacement. You were just there when she wasn’t. I tried to make it work, but honestly, it’s not enough. You’re not enough.”

The humiliation was unbearable. I felt like everyone in the bar was staring, judging me.

His ex decided to chime in, her voice dripping with smugness. “So you’re the stand-in?” she said, laughing. “How pathetic. I left him because I went abroad, but now I’m back. You can go back to wherever you came from.”

Her words were like salt in a wound. My vision blurred with unshed tears, but I refused to let them fall.

I straightened my back and looked Jason in the eye. “We’re done,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the bar.

The cool night air hit me like a slap, but it wasn’t enough to numb the pain. I clutched the watch in my hand, the one I’d bought for someone who never truly cared about me. My mind raced with questions, but one thought stood out: How could I have been so blind?

As I stood on the sidewalk, trying to collect myself, a thought crossed my mind. Jason may have broken me tonight, but he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing me crumble.

With trembling hands, I gripped the watch tightly and held it close to me. Jason was my past, but my future? That was up to me.