Semua Bab Love Fades Without A Trace: Bab 1 - Bab 8

I was quiet for a long time as I stared at the red marks on the neck in the photo. Yesterday, a man named Callum Lowry sought me out and told me he was Rhiannon Westley's boyfriend, and he wanted me out of the picture. At first, I was taken aback by his bold statement. Then, I registered the fact that Rhiannon had cheated on me.Callum lifted his chin, his eyes sparkling like a kid who had been spoiled rotten. Before I could snap out of my daze, he splashed coffee on me. "Hey, did you hear me? I want you to divorce Rhiannon so I can marry her!"The brown liquid stained my newly bought white T-shirt, and I looked pathetic with coffee droplets running down my face.Callum didn't seem to think that was enough, for he paid no mind to the speculating looks thrown in our direction as he continued to bait me. "Rhiannon's pregnant with my child. I don't want my kid calling some other dude 'Dad.' Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered to pick a fight with you."I know you're childhood friend

I felt all the blood rush to my head, my mind a complete blank. So, Rhiannon hadn't gotten Rollie especially for me. It was a present Callum hadn't wanted, and she brought it home.At that moment, the cat wailed and leaped to the ground. I looked down to see a few strands of cat hair in my grip.Rhiannon finished booking the cruise tickets and even got us a luxurious suite with a large bed. I glanced at the date on the booking. The cruise would depart on the third day of the next month, which was a week later. I'd be leaving for Fernham on the same day, too, if my application was approved.That night, Rhiannon was as thoughtful as ever as she poured me a glass of milk. I saw the lust burning in her eyes and suddenly retched. As I raised my hand, I accidentally knocked over the glass of milk.The white liquid soaked through the sheets, but Rhiannon anxiously checked me for wounds. "Are you alright, Zane? Did you get scalded?"My eyes were rimmed red, and my throat was dry. "I'm alr

Callum dipped his head and kissed Rhiannon. An icy look flashed in her eyes as she pried his hand off the back of her head, her lips parting. "Did you text Zane?"Callun went still as his gaze flickered with guilt, but he would be a fool to admit he'd texted me. If Rhiannon found out he'd been baiting me, she'd never forgive him. He could still remember the sting of her slap.Rhiannon had wanted to break things off with Callum that night. He'd cried hysterically and drugged her so that he could take advantage of her after that, and he hated to think how his life might have turned out if he hadn't.As things were, he refused to admit to any wrongdoing. "Ms. Westley, are you suspecting me? But I still remember your warning from the other day, so how would I have the nerve to text Zane? I truly didn't, I swear."Disgust roiled within Rhiannon as she beheld Callum's pretentiousness and false innocence. How could she have possibly thought he and I were similar? We were nothing alike

I was suddenly reminded of the time when I was 17 years old. Rhiannon had gotten into a fight with her father after she wanted to apply to the same college as me to take up a design program, but her father had insisted on her majoring in finance.She'd run away from home in the middle of the night during midwinter. Her family had been worried sick. In the end, I found her at the amusement park she and I frequently went to.At the time, she'd looked like a pitiful kitten, too, curled up in a ball in thin clothes. When she saw me, she smiled bitterly and said, "I can't even decide what to do with my own life. How pathetic is that? Don't make fun of me, Zane."I didn't make fun of her. Instead, I brought her home.Now, as I stared into Rhiannon's sad eyes, I felt my heart leap to my throat."Zane, you're up. I… I just wanted to see you. Don't worry. I won't bother you. I only wanted to be closer to you. That's all." Rhiannon pursed her lips, clutching the hem of her shirt uneasily.