Chapter 0241

ANASTASIA

With a sniff, I stopped my incessant knocking when I heard hurried footsteps coming toward the door. I leaned on the door, unable to stop my sobs.

I had meant it when I said it was over but a part of me had hoped that he would come after me, take me in his arms and reassure me that it was all a big misunderstanding but he had only stood there, barking my name like some crazed maniac.

Clara opened the door with a smile, it widened a bit when she saw me but immediately fell when she noticed my tears.

“Are you okay?" She frowned, her eyes filled with questions. “I didn't know you would be back so soon,” she said slowly, her frown deepening, "Ana, are you okay?”

She reached for me and I couldn't hold back myself anymore. I fell into her arms and cried like a baby. My heart felt heavy and my shoulders shook as I gripped the sides of her shirt and cried harder, soaking her sweatshirt with my tears.

“Shh," she patted me on the back. She closed the door and led me inside the living room. She did a quick job of bringing my bags in, then held me and sat us down. Yet, she said nothing. She let me cling to her and cry as much as I needed to.

Her care and understanding warmed my heart but instead of soothing me, it only made my heart ache more. Aiden used to be just like that. He was always very patient with me.

“We were so good together," I blurted out and cried even harder.

"Okay?” She finally asked, "What happened?"

“It's Aiden," I whispered. There was a short pause and I could tell that she already understood but I still continued anyway.

I sniffed and looked up, wiping my face but it was no use, more tears still poured out of my eyes, unhinged. “I texted him that I was coming today," I hiccuped and she held my hands, nodding.

“He didn't reply and Aiden never leaves my message or calls unanswered. Never. You know that.”

She nodded again.

I inhaled, taking in the snot that had drooped out. "I got worried and decided that I would stop at his place first and see what might be wrong.

“On my way there," I started to let out loud sob sounds again, breaking my sentences. I took out my phone and tried to open my phone so I could show her the pictures but my hands trembled. I couldn't even successfully unlock my phone.

I dropped the phone in frustration and pointed at it. “It is there, the pictures, they're in my phone,” I sputtered uncontrollably and incoherently.

Clara squeezed my hand. "Calm down, Ana. Take your time. Breathe.”

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. When I spoke again, my voice didn't tremble so much anymore but it was small and I could still feel the tears running down my face.

“As I made my way to his place, I received a message from an unknown number. They were pictures," I took another deep breath, fresh tears forming in my eyes, “they were pictures of Aiden with another woman.”

Clara's eyes wide widened a bit then it turned dark. "That jerk!”

"I didn't believe it. I couldn't. I'd rather see it myself.” My shoulders trembled and I dropped my face in my palm, "On getting there, I saw that Aiden was actually with another woman."

She pulled me to her and carressed my hair. “It's okay. You've shed enough tears over that douchebag."

She pulled me from her and wiped my tears from my face. “He's just lost the best woman he could ever have in his entire life. Enough, you're stronger than this, okay?"

I shook my head, "I'm not, Clara. Aiden was my everything. He knows what makes me tick and what pisses me off. He knows me more than I know myself. He was my backbone,” I finished in a shaky whisper.

Clara just shook her head. “It's okay."

She held me as I cried and after a while, I finally stopped crying. I just laid in her arms, feeling numb to everything.

“You know I've always had a bad feeling about that guy," Clara said. Right from the first day, she had never liked Aiden and she didn't even bother to hide it.

“I'm sorry, I didn't listen to you," I said in a small voice, “I should've listened.”

She rested her palm on my shoulder, "You were in love, I understand that much.” She made me look up by hooking her index finger under my chin and flashed me a small smile, "I just want you to cheer up, okay?"

I nodded and managed a smile.

“So," she rose to her feet, “What will you eat? I'll make anything for you."

If it was a normal day I would've jumped with glee, but right now, I just wanted to bury myself in my room under my duvet.

"I'm good.”

She sighed then defiantly placed her hands on her hips. “Don’t give me that. You have to eat something.”

"I’m not hungry, Clara,” I said and walked to my room.

I dove straight under my duvet and soaked my pillows with my silent tears as I relived all of our time together.

I heard the door open and then, “It's past 8:00."

I looked at the time on my phone, 8:45 P.M. ThenI wordlessly returned to watching a video of Aiden and I on one of my birthdays.

Suddenly, the duvet was pulled off and my phone was snatched from me.

“Give it back!” I sprang up.

“No! You can't do this to yourself." She looked me up and down and her frown deepened worriedly, “It's been just a few hours and you look like you've lost tons of weight. Get over him, girl!”