A sharp crack echoed in my ears. I didn’t even realize I’d forced the ring off until pain shot through my finger. Blood slipped down between my fingers, warm and sticky.
I ran. I didn’t even know where, just back to my room, my whole body shaking so hard I couldn’t breathe.
I knocked into the table, and the framed wedding photo fell to the floor.
In it, Drake leaned forward, pressing a soft, sacred kiss to my forehead. His eyes were full of devotion. Like I was everything.
“Why…” I whispered, staring at it. “Why did you lie to me like this…?”
My tears hit the floor before I could stop them. And then I started laughing. Loud, broken, ugly.
“Hahaha… Drake… you’re amazing. You really are.” My stomach twisted, and I doubled over, gagging, bitter liquid rising in my throat. “You planned everything… didn’t you? Every day I am scared, confused… thinking I was broken… that was all you.”
I cried until there was nothing left. Then I picked up the photo, pulled it out of the frame, and shoved it into the shredder.
The machine chewed through it slowly, the sound sharp and final.
And it felt like something in my chest was being shredded too. Every memory, every moment, every time he said he loved me.