Mia's head spun, and time seemed to stand still for a moment. Her whole body shook violently, and her teeth clattered uncontrollably.
She clenched her hands into fists, digging her fingernails into the flat of her palms.With a cracked voice, she asked in disbelief, "What did you just say?"Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she desperately hoped that his words wouldn't break her heart again."I'm sorry, Mia. I can't do this again," he uttered, his voice low and calm, but the words reverberated loudly in her head.The tears she had been fighting so hard to hold back broke loose, streaming down her face.Mia sobbed uncontrollably while Max watched her in utter silence.Suddenly, the weather changed, and it started to drizzle. Even nature seemed to share her sorrow.Max and she had known each other for more than half their lives. They practically grew up together. Even as kids, they had harbored feelings for each other, and at the age of fourteen, Max had asked her to be his girlfriend. She accepted without hesitation.Mia's heart wrenched, and she felt as if her life was being squeezed out of her. Her world revolved around him; how could she live without him?She had noticed the change in his attitude long before this moment. He hardly had time for her. He was always busy. If she didn't initiate contact, he wouldn't bother looking for her.Even when they were together, he seemed eager to leave.She had observed everything and had done her best to hold on to him, to salvage their relationship.She saw this breakup coming, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon. She had tried her utmost best to prevent it, but here they were.She continued to cry, her heart aching with every sob.If only she had known what he wanted to say, she wouldn't have stepped out of the dorm to meet him.It was already late at night, and she was about to go to bed when she received a message on her phone, telling her to come outside. It was from him.Surprised and excited because he had initiated contact for the first time in a while, she hopped off her bunk bed and looked at herself in the mirror, running her fingers through her midnight black hair."Where are you going?" her bunkmate and best friend, Martha, keenly asked.Martha was always curious about everything concerning her best friend, so Mia replied without holding anything back. "Max is here—I'll be right back."She grinned, displaying a neat row of white teeth.Slipping on a pair of flip flops, she rushed out without waiting for Martha's response.But when she stepped out into the cold to meet her boyfriend, the expression on his face drained all color from hers.He looked restless and impatient, and the moment he spoke, "Let's break up," Mia's heart shattered.***Mia cried for a while until her head started to ache terribly.Sniffing, she looked up into his eyes. The eyes that once held love and endearment for her were now empty. He looked at her emotionlessly, and her heart constricted tightly in her chest. This wasn't the Max she knew.Sniffling, she asked in a hoarse voice, "Who?"A sweet, melodious voice suddenly came from behind Mia. "Max? Is that you?"Max looked past Mia, and his eyes lit up.Mia noticed that the same eyes that had looked at her with emptiness were now filled with admiration. He used to look at her that way...Instinctively, she turned around in the direction of the voice and saw a silhouette approaching them.It was dark, and the light was dim. She squinted her eyes, trying to figure out who it was. As the person drew nearer, their form became clearer."Martha?" Mia's voice trembled when she saw her best friend standing beside her.Thank God. She heaved a heavy sigh, and fresh tears began to pour from her eyes. "Martha, Max is breaking up with me.""Please, plead with him on my behalf. He's my life; I can't live without him. I really can't," she cried helplessly, her whole body quivering. "Please...""Oh, Mia." Martha's face filled with concern, and she closed the space between them.She drew Mia's head to her shoulder and began to pat her head. "Poor thing."Martha sighed, while the girl cried uncontrollably, staining her dress."Max, why would you do such a thing?" Martha asked calmly, staring directly into Max's eyes.Mia sniffled, her crying subsiding slightly. Now that her best friend was here, she would help Mia talk to Max and sort everything out. She sighed, sobbing softly.Thank goodness she had Martha.Max panicked as soon as he heard Martha's statement. Wasn't this what..."I told you to let me know when you were about to tell her. How can you break her heart like this?" Martha scolded, her voice calm.Martha's words sank in, and Mia lifted her head from Martha's shoulder."You knew?" Her voice quivered with disbelief. "Martha, you knew he was going to break up with me?"Max let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I texted you as soon as I got here," he replied to Martha.Martha gave him a sad smile before turning to face Mia. "Mia, I'm sorry—but yes, I knew. I'm so sorry." Her expression turned somber.Mia shook her head, denying the truth. This couldn't be real. Her best friend couldn't have known. She tried to calm herself, but the truth was glaring at her."You knew, Martha? Why didn't you tell me?" Mia sobbed.If the breakup news had shattered her heart, the words she heard next completely shattered her."I didn't tell you because I'm the one Max is in love with.""We tried to suppress our love for each other, but it just wouldn't die. That's why we decided to tell you.""We didn't want to keep you in the dark any longer." Martha began to sob.Mia stood in a daze for a couple of seconds. She couldn't comprehend the words her best friend was speaking.A wave of nausea washed over her. "Wh-what... did you just say?" she stuttered.Martha's voice cracked. "I'm sorry, Mia. I'm really sorry. We couldn't help it; it's a natural feeling. We can't cheat nature." She wailed.Mia stopped crying at that moment. She stood still, her eyes empty, void of emotion. Slowly, she raised her hand and pointed her finger at Martha, then at Max. She chuckled, a sound devoid of sanity, and turned around. With staggering steps, she began to walk back into the dorm."Mia!" Max called out, attempting to go after her.Although he no longer loved her, he couldn't bear to see her like this.But right at that moment, Martha's wailing grew louder. Max halted, his footsteps freezing, and rushed to her side."Why are you crying?" Max furrowed his brow, genuine concern etched on his face."Mia hates me now," Martha sobbed between her tears."Don't think that way, Martha. She'll understand. It couldn't be helped—it can't be helped," he comforted her, wrapping his arms around her.Martha clung to him, holding him tightly, and continued to cry.Max bit his lower lip, hating to see her in pain. "Wipe your tears. I'll take you to Domino's."She sniffled, and her tears ceased immediately. She loved Domino's so much. "Look at how much power your words have over me. So, you think I'm a glutton..." She pouted her lips playfully.Max laughed. "No," he said, and she playfully hit his chest."But what about Mia?" she hesitated.Max pursed his lips. "She'll be fine. She'll understand."Max pursed his lips, "she'll be fine. She'll understand."—Mia dragged her legs down the hallway. Her whole life felt miserable. Her whole life felt like a lie.The whole thing even felt like a dream to her. A long sad dream, and she wished she’d wake up quickly from it. It was way too scary. How could her boyfriend betray her with her best friend? It wasn’t possible.She only read it in novels and saw it in movies.Never in her eighteen years of life did she expect such a thing would actually happen to her. Nah, it was over for her. Totally over for her.Her legs suddenly gave way, and before she knew it, she collapsed to the ground.When Mia opened her eyes again, she was in a ward in a hospital. It was already the following morning.She had been rushed to the hospital immediately after a janitor found her lying unconscious on the ground.She had really thought he was 'the one.' Max. Their names even shared the same initials—'M.'Initially, she had thought Max came last night to giv
Mia's heart raced. Her plan had worked, but now she had to figure out how to navigate this unexpected turn of events.The two younger people were still lost deep in their thoughts when the grandpa ushered them into the luxurious car.Before they knew it, they were already on their way to sign their marriage certificates.In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the civil affairs bureau's office. Under grandpa's watchful eye, they went through the necessary procedures, signed the marriage certificates, and had them stamped.And just like that, the two became a married couple.When they stepped outside again, the grandpa was beaming with a smile."You have made me the happiest person on earth." He patted Shawn on the shoulder before stepping into the limousine.Shawn watched his grandfather and felt warmth in his heart.It was true that the old man was indeed very pleased. He hadn't seen his grandfather this happy in a very long time, so he decided to keep quiet."Aren't you coming in?" G
Barbara's expression suddenly shifted to one of concern. "Mia, why are you home? Isn't your sister still in school?"Although her words appeared to show genuine concern for her stepdaughter, Mia sensed an underlying message.The witch was insinuating, "Why aren't you taking your studies seriously like your sister?"Barbara was deliberately stirring up trouble in front of her father. Again.But Mia was accustomed to this behavior. Barbara always did this."Yes, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" Mia's father bellowed.Yet, Mia couldn't help but be shocked each time her father sided with Barbara, falling into the witch's trap repeatedly. Why? He had never taken her side, not even once."Have you suddenly lost your ability to speak?" Mia's silence started to irritate him."Dad," she looked directly into his eyes, hoping to find a glimmer of affection. "Were you not informed that I fell ill?"Her father's brows furrowed. "Ill?"He glanced at his wife."Yeah, the school
Barbara spoke up, "Although you give Mia and Vivian the same amount of money for their upkeep, Mia might have other expenses that the money isn't sufficient for."This statement infuriated Mr. Thompson even more. He swiftly turned towards the cab driver and commanded, "If she fails to provide your money, take her to the police station. Better yet, do whatever you want with her."Angrily, he turned around and marched into the house.Mia's heart shattered as she watched her father's retreating figure, while Barbara's eyes gleamed with triumph as she snickered victoriously.Mia shifted her gaze from the door and fixed her eyes on the woman who claimed to be her mother.Her stepmother clicked her tongue and sneered, "You are a disgrace to this family." With that, she turned and walked inside the house.Tears, which Mia had been holding back, finally streamed down her face. Why was the world so cruel to her?"Ahem." The cab driver cleared his throat, a smug grin stretching across his face.
Mia's mother had found her when she was homeless and starving, living in the slums. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Mia's mother took her in.If she didn't treat that woman's daughter well, wouldn't that be considered ungrateful? Wouldn't the deceased be disappointed?After ensuring that Mia was completely out of sight, Madam Grace shook her head and returned to the mansion.—Mia flagged down a taxi by the roadside and returned to the school's dormitory. She had missed the day's classes and needed to copy some notes.She actually wished she didn't have to go back to the dorm, to her room—the room she shared with Martha, her supposed best friend—but what other choice did she have?Like Madam Grace had rightly said, her mother wouldn't be happy to see her in such a state. Mia needed to forget about the past, focus on the present, and move on. Right?As soon as the taxi pulled up in front of the dormitory's imposing iron gates, Mia paid the driver and began walking slowly insid
Martha couldn't just snatch Max from Mia and dump her, just like that. The kids at school would paint her as a bad person. The entire universe would curse her for stealing her best friend's boyfriend. She would be tagged as a "boyfriend snatcher." Her public persona would be ruined, and her whole life would be over.But Martha didn't want that to happen. Never ever. Therefore, she still needed to keep Mia by her side."Thank you, Mia," Martha said, smiling sweetly. However, her smile quickly faded, and she started sobbing wearily.Concerned, Mia asked, "What's wrong?""Mia, will you forgive Max too? Please? It wasn't his fault either. It just happened that way, I swear," Martha pleaded.Mia's face fell. Max, her boyfriend—the only guy she had ever loved in her entire life. How could she stay mad at him? He was a victim too. Like Martha said, things just turned out that way."I forgive Max as well. None of this was your fault, or his.” Mia said softly.Martha flashed a grateful smile, b
The car's exhaust filling up Lucas' nostrils, after the CEO had zoomed off, was what replied the young man. He coughed loudly, waving off the exhaust as he headed back into the corporation. He still had a few things to do before he would call it a day. He chuckled as thughts of his icy cold boss overwhelmed his mind. He was a hundred percent sure that the lady his boss had sent him to go deliver the divorce papers to, had something to do with the man being in a bad mood throughout today.Lucas wondered how the two even got married in the first place... It mush have been that lady's fault. He knew his boss had no romantic relationship going on with any lady... In fact, the man despised women... He's even tagged 'gay lord'. So, how come?He was extremely surprised when his boss had called him in the morning to come pick him up in front of the Bureau's office. But then, thinking about that lady's physical appearance... Earlier on, when he went to hand over the divorce papers... she didn'
Ever since that accident... "Grandpa had a panic attack." The doctor broke the silence and his voice brought Shawn out of his reverie. Panic attack? The young man couldn't help but scoff. His grandfather had a panic attack because that issue? Because he told him he divorced that girl? Just how immensely was the old champ obsessed with him getting married that he'd actually suffered from a panic attack? Doctor Alfred eyed the dangerous man seated in front of him mindfully before speaking. "Mr. Shawn, there's something I think you deserve to know..." His voice trailed off. Shawn stared directly at the man's face as a go ahead. "I'll like for you to digest what I'm about to say well." The doctor chose his words carefully. He couldn't afford to say anything that would offend this formidable man in front of him, or he might spend the rest of his life in jail. He swallowed hesitantly before opening his mouth, "Grandfather is critically ill." He paused to observe the facial