"Celeste left him high and dry," another friend jeered. "Using Lois as a placeholder was fair game. She deserves it for coming back so suddenly, right?"
The room erupted into laughter, but not a single word of denial came from Asher. Not even a weak attempt to defend me.
I backed away, my stomach twisting. As I walked home, the memories of his tender words and promises felt like ashes in my mouth. He’d always been so careful, so charming. How many of those moments were lies?
The next day, Asher picked me up and took me to a banquet—a surprise celebration for Celeste’s birthday. He acted like nothing had happened, holding my hand and whispering sweet nothings in my ear. But I couldn’t shake the bitterness gnawing at my chest.
When Celeste made her dramatic entrance, Asher’s grip on my hand tightened. She was stunning, glowing with the confidence of someone who knew she had the world in her grasp. When her eyes landed on us—on me and Asher, standing so close together—her expression crumbled.
Tears welled in her eyes, and before anyone could stop her, she turned and ran out of the hall. Asher didn’t hesitate. He pushed me aside like an afterthought and chased after her.