Unloved

Nichole’s POV

"Daniel," I said, holding the packets of condoms up, my voice trembling, "What the hell is this?"

He barely glanced at it. When he realized what I was waving, his face contorted in fury.

"Are you seriously going through my things now?"

I stared at him in disbelief. “That’s your first reaction? You’re cheating on me, and I’m the problem because I found out?”

He snatched the condoms from my hand. “You don’t own me, Nichole. We’re not even married. Stop acting like you have a say in what I do.”

I blinked at him, stunned. “I gave you seven years of my life. Seven years, Daniel!”

“So?” he said with a shrug. “That was your choice.”

My hands balled into fists. A scream pressed against my chest, but I swallowed it back and stepped closer, grabbing his shirt collar. “Do you think I’m a fool? You’ve been stringing me along like I’m nothin

He pried my hands off, his eyes flashing with disgust, and pushed me hard.

I wasn’t expecting it. My legs gave way and I hit the floor, my hip slamming against the tile. Pain radiated up my side, but it was nothing compared to the ache tearing through my chest.

He towered over me, sneering. “You really think you’re something special? You’re not. You’re just a charity case; a filthy little orphan my family decided to clean up. But a pig in silk is still a pig.”

I stared up at him, breathless. That word, orphan, was a blade I have heard before, whispered behind my back, etched in glares and pitying smiles. But hearing it from him… from the man I once imagined my future with…

It shattered me.

I dragged myself up, limbs trembling, tears blurring my vision.

“Daniel,” I choked, “How could you?”

He scoffed. “Save the tears. You think those crocodile sobs move me? Please. If anything, they’re pathetic.”

I wiped my eyes, my hands steadying. I looked him dead in the eyes.

“Just tell me one thing,” I said quietly. “Did you ever love me?”

He laughed. Not just a chuckle, a full-blown, mocking laugh.

“Love you? Never. Even the thought of loving you makes me nauseous.”

The words pierced through me like knives. I staggered, but I didn’t look away.

“Then why did you propose?” I asked. “Why waste all these years with me?”

“Oh, please. My grandfather chose you,” he said, waving a hand like I was furniture. “Apparently he and your grandfather were best friends or whatever. And God knows what spell you cast on that old man, and he treats you like gold. I even heard he picked you out at the orphanage himself.”

I stared at him. “So you went along with the engagement… why?”

He leaned in with a smirk. “Because if I backed out, my grandfather would’ve disinherited me. And honestly, staying engaged to you meant I got to see Lila more often. It was a win-win.”

My mouth parted, but no words came.

“You were just… convenient, Nichole,” he added, with a cruel smile. “A placeholder.”

“So all these years,” I whispered, “You were using me?”

“Damn right. And you made it easy. Groveling around me like a lovesick puppy. All that devotion and affection? Ugh. I could barely stand it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll still marry you. Grandpa insists on it. But don’t forget your place, my heart belongs to Lila. So stay in your lane and know you’ll never have it.”

With that, he grabbed his suitcase and walked out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.

I stood there, frozen.

Not crying. I was not breathing, but I was just shattered.

It wasn't cheating. It wasn’t even the lies.

It was the realization that everything, every smile, every promise, every kiss, was fake. That I had loved a man who saw me as nothing.

I don’t know how long I stood there, but my phone buzzed, snapping me out of the daze.

It was Claire.

Don’t forget the high school reunion tonight. I’ll kill you if you ditch me. Also, you need a drink. Or twelve.

A small, bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe she was right.

I texted her back.

On my way.

The restaurant buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses. People I hadn’t seen since I was seventeen hugged and toasted and shared embarrassing stories over dinner.

Claire had already ordered a bottle of wine for us. “You okay?” she asked, searching my face.

“No,” I said honestly. “But I’m here.”

“That’s a start,” she said softly, raising her glass. “To burning the past.”

I clinked her glass and sipped.

Halfway through the night, I got up to use the restroom. I was just rounding the corner when I heard a familiar voice, low and arrogant.

Daniel.

I stopped in my tracks, heart thudding.

I peeked around the partition and froze.

Daniel was sitting at a private booth with Lila and a few of their snobby friends from high society. His arm was draped casually across Lila’s shoulders as she giggled into his chest.

I turned to walk away, but then I heard my name.

“So, you’re still going to marry Nichole?” someone asked.

Daniel groaned. “Yeah. If I cancel, Grandpa cuts me off. But if she does it… problem solved.”

“Then just tell her about you and Lila,” someone suggested. “Let her freak out and end it.”

“I’ve tried!” he snapped. “I told her I have never loved her, but Nichole’s clingy as hell. It’s like she enjoys being disrespected. I’ve never seen anyone so desperate. It’s disgusting.”

Their table erupted in laughter.

I felt my stomach drop.

Then Lila’s voice chimed in sweetly, “Maybe I should post something. Just enough to push her over the edge.”

“Do it,” Daniel said, smirking. “The sooner she runs off crying, the better.”

That was it.

I stepped out from behind the wall, fury crackling in my chest.

Lila turned and her eyes widened.

“Nichole,” she breathed, voice cracking with guilt.

The table went dead silent.

I stared at them, at him, with spooky ice in my veins.

And I didn’t say a word.

At least not yet.