The Accident

The hand I had held up to push the door open fell at Colin’s words. “A plaything?” I repeated in a whisper. I was nothing but a plaything to him? How could that be? My heart constricted, my love and commitment to him shattering in an instant.

But that was just the beginning. I moved closer to the door, almost putting my ear against it.

“I thought you were into her?” David said, though it was more of a question than a statement.

“Yeah, as a sex toy,” Colin declared callously. “She thinks I love her, but she forced our relationship, I never asked her out. It was all on her. I played along and proposed to her because… well, I liked her as bed warmer.

Colin's response, cold and devoid of remorse, struck me, each word like a stab in my heart. How could I have been so ignorant?

Thank goodness I’d never told him who I was. He’d never connected my last name with the Kings’ group, either, so he knew nothing of my social status or my family’s wealth.

The conversation continued with a female voice chiming in. “Oh, Colin, how can you even stoop so low to date a girl like that? Even after all these years, you’re more handsome than ever. You should be with someone better.” As she spoke, the sultry voice became clear and brought back memories I wished to forget. I suddenly felt cold at the realization that Colin’s ex-girlfriend, Page, had returned, a possibility I’d dreaded since early in my relationship with Colin.

A short while after Colin and started dating, I accidentally saw a message on Colin’s phone from Page. It read: “Colin, I know you’re angry with me for moving to England. But I had no choice. My father said it was in my best interest, and I knew he was right. I’ll come back, though. I surely will, I know you love me, and I love you too.”

I clenched my fists in frustration. It had been years since that incident. Fucking years! And now she was back, reappearing in our lives like a ghost from the past. As tears welled in my eyes, I couldn't resist moving even closer to the door, pressing my ear against it to catch every word.

David stunned me when he asked, “So now that Page is back, is it time for you to break up with Selena?” How quickly he turned on me as well. “Speaking of Selena,” he continued, “where the heck is she? Wasn’t she supposed to deliver that file to you?”

“Maybe she’s dressing up for you?” Page suggested, mockingly. “Dousing herself in perfume and plastering on some makeup to impress you, so she can warm your bed again tonight?”

“It is getting awfully cold,” Colin said in retort, and all three of them burst into laughter.

Embarrassment, confusion, and hurt plagued me as I stood there, grappling with the realization that I had become the subject of their cruel jokes. I felt the urge to confront Colin and demand answers, but self-doubt held me back. I hesitated, torn between the desire to tell him off and the fear of facing further humiliation.

After a solid minute of silently battling my emotions, I walked away with a heavy heart. My tears poured down just like the rain, the two blending together. Each step I took toward my vehicle felt like hard labor. Once inside the car, I retrieved the pregnancy test from my bag, and my heart crumbled. I broke down into sobs, the echoes of my anguish mingling with the battering of heavy rain on the car’s roof.

After what seemed like an eternity, I wiped my tears and composed myself. It was time to face the harsh truth and make a decision that would change my life. The plan was clear in my mind; I needed to gather my strength, pack my belongings, and break up with Colin.

The rain fell harder drowning out the roar of the engine as I sped away. Memories of Colin and me, each one a sharp pain in my already wounded heart, flashed through my mind. Tears emerged once again, blurring my vision. I kept my grip tight on the steering wheel.

Why had he made me his plaything when he could have just told me to leave? Why did he have to break my heart like this?

A sharp sound jolted me from my anguish right before the deafening impact of smashing into a trailer made my world—and body—spin out of control. My car somersaulted in the air before crashing back to the ground. My entire body burst into pain, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

As the darkness of unconsciousness encroached upon my vision, I cursed the day I met Colin, then made a silent vow to myself; if I were ever given a second chance, I would never allow myself to fall in love with Colin Rogers.