a's

breath. I was back in my bedroom, but everything felt different. I had prayed for a

verything that had happened. Jasmine ha

hing together when a voice

outside. But just as I prepared myself,

t like I had been slapped in the face. "What?! "What are you doing?" I shouted,

th shock. Joshua's face went pale. "Lila

nger. "You're supposed to be married to me, and you're busy

ught you had him all to yourself? "Delusional much?" She l

the tears spill over. "How c

you think!" Joshua said, trying t

t pounding. "You're in bed with my si

, which made me want to scream. "You

is nothing?" I felt my voice

ing towards me. We care about each

sbelief washing over me. "You care enou

d. "You've been so distant." I just

ed, frustration bubbling over. "So yo

e way, Lila. It's always been about you! But now

of anger. "You think I'm just going to le

his is not about you anymore, Lila. Jasmine

ords. "You're both wrong! You're hurting me! I

mine spoke again, her voice sharp. You thought

both think this is funny?

id, trying to calm the situation. "You n

"I can't believe I ever trusted you,"

eping him," Jasmine shot back, her eyes

g faces any longer. "You are both cruel

t like a dagger in my heart. "What have I done to deserve t

eathe, to think. As I stepped outside, the sun

as a text from Joshua: **"

ought he could just fix everything? I typed bac

oked up and saw Joshua coming ou

" I replied, keepi

d, rushing toward me. "You don't

"I saw you!" I shouted. "Yo

ooking frustrated. "Lila, please! We've

e?" I felt my heart race with anger.

on filling his voice. It just hap

eady hurt me," I said, my voice quiete

nsisted. "I want

u say?" I felt the tears come

ear him call my name. "Lila

ed away from him, feeling like I was brea

h, and now it felt lik

myself. "I won't let them hurt me any

*

a's

ry and sad. I thought about Joshua and Jasmine, but I also thought about getting some things s

en and saw my parents' names on the screen. I took a deep breath.

s!" my father's voice came thro

eep my cool. I wasn't in the mood

plain!" he said, sounding angry. You know how we feel a

ess with this?" I repli

d on him?" my mother cut in sharply. "We hav

t confused all of a sudden. "What m

ould hear paper rustling. This photo is al

shaking. They had to be lying. "

in shock. It showed me with a man I didn't recognize

fighting against the anger rising

ped. "This is why Joshua left you." He c

le the truth!" I shouted back, feeling the heat in m

ourself, Lila," my dad said sharply. You wer

elt my hands clenching into fists. I should

replied. And look how he left you

n't know anything! You've always sided

y mother said, her voice cold. "You will r

tinging my eyes. "You're both wr

s you back after this, you

heart pounding. Joshua never l

r judgment still lingering. "We're just looking ou

ol my life!" I yelled back. "You think t

es abou

He just wants what I have!" I said, f

n me rising. "I don't need to listen to you! I

ther commanded, but I d

t me, I'm walking out!" I shou

s!" Joshua called from the

m leaving! "I'll figure out my life with

he same time, but I didn't stop. I cu