ter screen was the only light illuminating the room, casting long shadows against the walls. His finge

nothingness as his thoughts drifted bac

ck: Hig

er day, or so Zane thought. He was walking with Carter, laughing about something ridiculous that had happened earlier. The two of them had been inseparable f

everythin

lking. Zane, who had been talking about something trivial, bumpe

ouldn't quite place it. The warmth that used to radiate from Carter was go

re, Zane," Carter said, his vo

nked, unable to comprehend what Carter had

ing him off. "We're not doing

omach. "A mistake? Carter, what

words sharp like daggers. "It was just a dare,

ing shallow. "A dare?" he whispered, the wo

nt. He wasn't the Carter Zane knew, the Carter he had fallen in love with. This was

ed, his voice loud enough for everyo

cheek, and he staggered back, his heart racing. The students around them had stopped, all eyes on them as the sce

fused to let them fall. Not in fron

-one Zane had never seen before. The guy was smirking, an air of arrogance about him. Carter leaned in, kissing th

meant for everyone to hear. "I never cared about you. This was

walking away with the guy-la

ad already started to gossip and laugh, whispering behind their hands. But Zane couldn't move. He couldn't process w

nding loop. He could still feel the sting of that slap, the humiliation, the betrayal. It felt like it happ

ss that had burned Zane's heart beyond repair. Zane hadn't wanted to let go. He hadn't wanted to believe the t

ere they w

picking it up. It was from his mom, no doubt checking in about the progress of his "fut

eement to marry Zane after his mother's request. But no matter how hard he tried to push it

really ma

e falling on the screen again. He couldn't

ld. But one thing was clear-his p

it was time to confro

orning sunlight, but the atmosphere inside was anything but warm. Everyone had gathered-Zane's fa

t of everyone's gaze on him, waiting for him to say something. It was the moment that everyone had been waiting for,

beside him, gave him a small encouraging smile. But Zane knew it was more out of hope than genuine c

o had caused him so much pain? The man who had hurt him so deeply all those years ago? And yet, despite everything, there was still someth

d on, thick and suffocating. Eve

lt like hours. Zane opened his mouth,

oat. "I'm ready to marry Carter," he said slowly, his

emed to release from

wasn't

hrough the silence, "I want to talk to Carte