All Chapters of Ending Up Strangers After Eight Years: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

Jayden's POVWith Gianna Connor, my fiancee of eight years, failing to show up and taking the car with her, our plans to take my parents on a trip fell apart. All I could do was show them around the local area for the day.My parents didn't complain once, but I couldn't bring myself to enjoy any of it.After getting them settled in their room, I took a cup of coffee out to the balcony alone.Gianna came home at 2:00 am."Still awake?"I nodded. "I was waiting for you."Gianna casually tossed her handbag onto the couch and slipped off her high heels.I sat down across from her. "Were you with Everett's mom all day for her follow-up?"Gianna nodded.At the mention of Everett Lloyd, our former classmate, I could see a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth."He didn't even know how to pay the bill. He's hopeless. Whoever marries him someday is going to be in for a world of trouble."It sounded like a complaint, but the tenderness in her voice was impossible to miss.My hea

Chapter 2

Jayden's POVMy parents never got the breakfast Gianna had promised to make. Everett called first thing in the morning, and she rushed off to meet him.At my parents' request, I took them to the bus station after breakfast."Take care of yourself.""Call us when you can."Reluctantly, I watched them board the bus.As the bus pulled away, my parents kept waving and reminding me to look after myself. Hearing how much they cared, I clenched my fists.Once the bus was out of sight, I called my boss, Thomas Rowe."Mr. Rowe, I've made up my mind. I'll take the overseas assignment and help you develop the new market."I talked with Thomas a while longer before heading home.I hadn't been back long when Gianna returned, with Everett right behind her.When Everett saw me, he greeted me with his usual enthusiasm. "Jayden, it's been days. Did you miss me?"I gave him a faint smile.As Gianna walked over, Everett grinned at her. "Your fiance is mine for the next few days. You'll have

Chapter 3

Jayden's POVMy questioning had clearly upset Gianna."You need to give me time. Stop pressuring me," she said.I'd given her eight whole years. Wasn't that enough?Everett suddenly pulled a box out of his bag and shoved it into my hands."We all went to school together, and we're all friends. It hurts to see you two upset. Gianna gave me this for my birthday, but I'm giving it to you."I opened the box. Inside was an expensive belt engraved with Everett's name."She bought it for you. I'm not taking it."With that, I turned and went back to my room.…Gianna didn't come in until that evening."Dinner's ready. Come eat."For the first time, I didn't respond to her.She walked over and stood in front of me. "Everett's mom was in such high spirits that day, and Everett couldn't drive. I couldn't just let her down, so I went on the trip with them."I looked up at her. "When I needed you most, you chose someone else."Gianna frowned deeply, impatience written all over her fa

Chapter 4

Jayden's POVGianna's face darkened as the ribs hit the bottom of the trash can.Through gritted teeth, she said, "Do you have to make things so awkward between us? We've known Everett for over ten years."I nodded, my expression unchanged."That's why you remember every important date in his life. When his mom had surgery, you never left his side outside the operating room. You paid all her medical bills and waited on her hand and foot through her entire hospital stay. You even…"I paused for a moment, then added bitterly, "You even picked out his underwear for him."I ignored the sudden shift in Gianna's expression."Your parents look down on me because I'm just a country boy who isn't good enough for you. Yet you brought Everett home again and again, defended him to them, and bought the gifts your parents liked on his behalf. You even…"I took a deep breath."You stayed by his side all night when things went badly for him at work. With me, you insist on keeping things prope

Chapter 5

Jayden's POVI pushed through the dizziness and made it to the hospital.Dad had already been taken in for emergency treatment.Mom had spent her whole life in the country without ever facing any major trouble, and now, her face was as white as a sheet. She was huddled on the floor outside the operating room, hands clasped, praying over and over.When I walked over, the woman Dad had cherished for decades broke down in tears."Jayden, your dad's going to be okay, right?"I nodded. "Don't worry. Dad would never leave us behind."Then, Mom noticed the bloodstain on my forehead. The last trace of color drained from her face."What… What happened to you?"I waved it off. "It's nothing. Something just hit me. It doesn't even hurt."At Mom's insistence, I got a thorough examination.Fortunately, it was only a superficial wound. Aside from some dizziness from the blood loss, there was nothing serious about my condition.It wasn't until 10:00 pm that Dad's surgery finally wrapped u

Chapter 6

Jayden's POVGianna found us at the hospital anyway. By the time she arrived, Dad had already been moved to a regular room, and I had just finished settling the hospital bill.It had only been a few days, but Gianna looked noticeably worn out.She had always taken great care of her appearance, but now, even her dress was wrinkled, and her hair clearly hadn't been styled."I'm so sorry. I… I didn't know something had happened to your dad."I looked up. "I begged you to help me find a doctor."My voice was calm when I said it, but Gianna's face went deathly pale."I thought… I thought you were just making it up. I—"Before she could finish, I slapped her across the face. I put every ounce of strength into that slap, pouring out all the rage that had been building inside me."I would never joke about my dad."Gianna's lips trembled, but she couldn't get a single word out."Just leave," I said flatly.But Gianna grabbed my arm. "Did you get that cut on your forehead checked? Wh

Chapter 7

Jayden's POVI frowned."When I was getting my driver's license, I called you. But you were busy taking care of Everett after he lost his job, and you told me not to bother you."When I was buying my car, I asked which model you thought I should get. You were on the phone with a friend, asking her to look out for Everett at her company."Gianna's face fell."His mom had a minimally invasive procedure, yet you pulled strings for her, paid all her bills, and ran around handling everything. She was in the hospital for three days, and you were there almost around the clock. And my parents? How did you treat them?"In our eight years together, that trip was the only thing I ever asked of you. And you bailed on them for Everett."Guilt flooded Gianna's eyes. She stepped closer. "Jayden, I—"Before she could finish, Everett walked up. As always, he wore a bright smile. "I heard your dad was in the hospital, so I came to check on him. I brought some health supplements."I pushed away

Chapter 8

Jayden's POVGianna pinned her hopes on my parents."Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, I… I really want to make it up to you. I promise that whenever I have time, I'll take you both on trips. We can even go abroad. I'll plan the whole itinerary, okay?"My parents exchanged a glance.Dad finally spoke, "No, thank you."Those few words shattered the last shred of Gianna's hope. She staggered, watching helplessly as Mom and I wheeled Dad away.…To make Dad's follow-up appointments easier, I rented an apartment near the hospital. The place wasn't big, but my parents no longer had to walk on eggshells around Gianna or cook fancy dishes they weren't used to eating just to cater to her tastes.Two weeks later, Dad's follow-up results came back even better than we'd hoped.At my parents' request, I took them back to their home in the country.The day before I was set to leave with Thomas to expand the business overseas, I went back to Gianna's place one last time. The moment she saw me, she burs

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