Shattered

CHAPTER ONE

Emily

I stepped out of the plane the moment it landed, my body heavy with exhaustion.

But none of that mattered.

All I could think about was Tristan.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I dragged my luggage along. I couldn’t wait to see his face. I hadn’t told him I was coming back. It was supposed to be a surprise.

Maybe I’ll just spend a day or two with him, I thought.

“Baby!” I called out as I stepped into his house.

Dropping my bags by the entrance, I looked around, my excitement bubbling.

“Baby?” I called again.

No response.

But I knew he was home. The door wasn’t locked.

I headed upstairs, my heart beating a little faster.

“Tristan, baby!” I called louder.

Still nothing.

Then I heard voices.

I stopped.

“What do you mean I have a babe? Of course I don’t,” Tristan said.

I froze.

“But you do. I always see you with her,” a female voice replied through the phone. It was on speaker.

My heart skipped.

“Maybe that was my sister you saw.”

Sister?

I almost choked.

Tristan doesn’t have a sister.

That was enough.

I stormed into the room.

“Tristan!”

He turned sharply, his eyes widening the moment he saw me.

“Emily?” he said, clearly shocked. “When did you get back, baby?”

“Baby?” I repeated, disbelief flooding my voice. “Did you just call me that?”

“Babe, it was a prank. Whatever you heard on the phone, it was just a prank.”

I stared at him, my eyes wide.

“Prank? Tristan, you call that a prank?”

“I promise you, babe—”

“Stop calling me that!” I snapped.

Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward and slapped him.

“Okay, fine!” he snapped back angrily. “You heard right. I don’t want you anymore. That’s why I had to lie to get another one.”

Everything around me went still.

I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t think.

“Why?” I asked quietly.

He scoffed.

“You know what, Emily? If I’m being honest, it’s because you don’t let me touch you!”

His voice rose with each word.

“Like who the hell does that? I’m your boyfriend, Emily, for crying out loud!”

My chest tightened.

“I thought we agreed on this from the start of the relationship… two years ago,” I said.

He went silent.

That silence said everything.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“You know what? We’re done, Tristan.”

I forced the next words out, even though they felt like knives.

“I don’t want you anymore either.”

God, that hurt.

But I refused to let it show.

“Okay,” I added coldly. “But I hope you regret this. Read my lips… you’ll come begging.”

I turned before he could see my face break, grabbed my bags, and practically ran out of the house.

The moment I got into the cab I had ordered, I broke.

Tears poured uncontrollably.

I loved him.

With everything in me.

And this was how he repaid me?

My chest felt like it was being ripped apart.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Tristan.

For your information, I’ve been having sex without your knowledge these past two years, so don’t feel so high. I WON’T come begging.

My breath hitched.

Without thinking twice, I blocked him.

I needed someone.

Anyone.

But I had no one.

Tristan had been my everything.

Closing my eyes, I took a shaky breath.

I’d take a few days off. Inform my staff and the board that I was on leave.

There was only one place I could go.

Grandma.

I got home, went straight to my room, and just stood there.

Looking around.

Everything felt… empty.

Like something inside me had been ripped out.

I wanted to scream.

Cry.

Break something.

But I couldn’t.

Instead, I pulled out my phone and booked a flight immediately.

I packed a few clothes, enough for two weeks, not even bothering to change what I was wearing.

Then I left.

“Hello, Grandma,” I said as soon as she picked up.

“My darling,” her warm voice came through.

Tears stung my eyes again.

“I’m on my way to see you.”

There was a pause.

“Is everything alright?”

I swallowed.

“No, Grandma… all isn’t well.”

My voice shook.

“Shhh, my darling. It’s okay. I’ll be expecting you.”

“Okay, Grandma.”

The call ended.

When I arrived, she was already outside waiting for me.

“Granny!”

I rushed into her arms the moment I stepped out of the car.

“Oh, my darling,” she said, holding me tightly.

“How are you?” she asked, cupping my face.

That was it.

I broke again.

“I’m not doing fine, Granny,” I cried.

“Come inside,” she said softly.

We sat down, and she looked at me.

“Now tell me everything.”

And I did.

I told her everything.

Every single detail.

“How dare he!” she thundered when I finished.

I wiped my tears.

“Do you think it’s my fault, Grandma?”

She looked at me like I had just said something absurd.

“How is it your fault? You were protecting your body. And didn’t you say he agreed from the start?”

I nodded.

“Then that’s it. He cheated because he wanted to. You were never an excuse.”

I looked down.

“I feel like I didn’t give him enough…”

“Enough!” she snapped. “I don’t want to hear anything about that bastard again.”

I went quiet.

“So,” she continued, calmer now. “What are your plans?”

“I don’t know yet. I just came here to clear my head.”

She nodded.

“No problem. This is your home too.”

Then her expression shifted slightly.

“Oh, before I forget… you know Seth Hernandez, right?”

My heart skipped.

I quickly masked it.

“Who is he?” I asked, pretending.

She gave me a look.

“Don’t play with me, young lady. We both know you know him.”

I sighed.

“Okay, I’m caught. What about him?”

“He’s coming with his crew for a two-week medical outreach. And guess what? It’s completely free!”

“Nice,” I said flatly.

I hated hearing his name.

Hated how everyone practically worshipped him.

Yes, he was a doctor.

Just like me.

Different specialty.

Still.

I didn’t care.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to attend,” I added. “Because you’re not. I handle your medical care. You don’t need an outreach.”

She leaned back, crossing her arms.

“I think it’s you who won’t be left alone in this house. Because you’re coming with me.”

I froze.

“Grandma, no. Absolutely not.”

She just smiled.

That dangerous smile.

“Make me,” I muttered under my breath, folding my arms.

Her smile widened.

And just like that…

I knew I was in trouble.