Broken heart

Grace stood frozen outside the VIP room of  Marino family’s bar. her palms damp, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. She had dreaded this moment, but there was no turning back now. Drawing in a shaky breath, she pushed the door open.

The cheerful laughter and clinking of glasses inside halted instantly. Every gaze shifted toward her—but Grace only saw one man.

Lucas Marino.

Her boyfriend. The man she had trusted for years. The man she thought loved her more than anything.

Yet tonight, that belief shattered.

Lucas sat on the sofa, his arm wrapped tightly around Emily—the woman Grace had unknowingly replaced. His hand lingered on Emily’s waist, his lips dangerously close to hers.

When he saw Grace, Lucas stiffened and rose to his feet, guilt flashing in his eyes. Emily, however, showed no shame. She smiled faintly, slid her hand into his, and claimed him without hesitation.

“Grace,” Emily said softly, her voice delicate yet dripping with mockery. “I know you’ve been with Lucas while I was gone. But his heart has always been mine. Now that I’m back, I hope you can understand… and let him go.”

Her words sliced through Grace like knives, tearing apart the fragile hope she had clung to all these years.

Ever since Emily the real daughter of Wells family returned two years ago, Grace had been treated as nothing more than a burden by the family. Yet she endured thinking she still have Lucas—because she believed he would never abandon her.

But tonight, even that illusion crumbled.

anger surged within her chest, clashing with the ache of betrayal. Her vision blurred with tears she refused to shed. Without thinking, Grace strode forward and slapped Emily across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the room. Emily staggered back, shock flashing across her perfect features.

“Grace!” Lucas roared, seizing her wrist and yanking her toward him. His face twisted with anger. “What’s wrong with you? Emily did nothing!”

Tears spilled down Grace’s cheeks as she stared at him, her voice trembling. “Tell me, Lucas… did you ever love me? Not as her shadow. Not as a substitute. But as me?”

Lucas faltered. His grip on her wrist loosened. He turned his head away, unable to answer.

That silence was louder than any truth.

Grace laughed bitterly. “I see.”

Her eyes, once full of warmth, turned cold as she looked between them. “You want me to understand your feelings, right? Fine. From this moment on, you’re free to be with her.” Her gaze lingered on Lucas one last time. “From now on, we have no relationship. I’m breaking up with you.”

Lucas froze, his chest tightening painfully. For reasons he couldn’t explain, her words stabbed deeper than he expected. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Grace didn’t wait for him to speak. She pulled her hand away and walked out, her figure trembling but determined.

“Lucas,” Emily whispered, clutching his arm and leaning into his chest. “We can finally be together now. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?”

Lucas held her automatically, but as he watched Grace’s retreating back, an unfamiliar heaviness settled in his chest. This was what he had longed for… so why didn’t it feel like happiness?

—

Outside, Grace stumbled into another bar and drowned herself in alcohol. At twenty-three, she had never truly been loved. Tonight, the pain of rejection suffocated her, making her wonder if there was any meaning left in her existence.

Her phone buzzed. She blinked blearily at the screen before answering.

“Where are you?” A cold male voice cut through the line. It was her adoptive brother, Albert Wells. “Do you even know what time it is? Don’t forget—you are a member of the Wells family. If you dare ruin our reputation, I won’t let it slide.”

Grace chuckled bitterly. “Okay.” Without another word, she hung up.

Once, Albert had been gentle with her, even if she was only Emily’s replacement. But now, his voice held nothing but disdain, as though she were his greatest mistake.

Her lips curved into a sad smile. She stumbled out of the bar and onto the empty street, trying and failing to hail a taxi. Giving up, she decided to walk to the bus stop.

As her heels clicked against the pavement, a thought surfaced—dark and reckless.

What if I just… disappeared? Would anyone care? Would anyone cry if I died?

The alcohol clouded her mind, and the unbearable weight of loneliness pressed down on her.

Before she realized it, she had stepped into the middle of the road.

A luxury car sped toward her. Its headlights blinded her vision.

Grace closed her eyes, welcoming the collision, And in the next instant she was hit by the car.