Heartbroken

Chapter One

Emma's POV

I clutch the small gift box in my hands, excitement and nervousness stirring in my stomach as I head toward Daniel's apartment. It has always been on his birthday that I get to do special things for him-even little gestures-to let him know he is important. I envision his response, the brightness of his face at that first glimpse of me. That alone gives me a little bit of courage as I knock on the door to his room.

And there is no answer.

I frown, stepping back and wondering if I have the wrong time. I could have sworn he would be home; part of me even imagined he might be planning a quiet night in, just the two of us. I reach out and turn the knob, surprised to find it unlocked. Curiosity and a sense of worry tug at me as I push open the door, stepping inside.

Muffled voices come from down the hall, and instantly I am frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. It's Daniel's voice-low and soft and. a woman's voice. The words are indistinguishable but the warmth in his tone unmistakable, a warmth reserved just for me.

I take another cautious step forward, unable to help being pulled, each step feeling heavier than the last. The closer I get to the living room, the clearer the voices become, and I stop right at the edge of the door, before entering. Daniel sits there, close to someone, his hand gently resting upon hers. She leans in towards him, whispering something in a gentle tone of voice with softness in her eyes that makes my stomach drop.

A lady.

She's laughing, and the image of it-the two of them sharing something private, something intimate-sends a pang through my chest. Daniel's gaze is tender, lingers on her face in a way I've never seen. It's as if the world outside their little bubble doesn't exist. I feel like an intruder in a moment that I was never meant to see, and the pain is instant, deep, and unforgiving.

They notice me nearly at the same time. Veronica draws back a little, and for a second her face is a flicker of surprise before it shifts into something else altogether-an expression unreadable but almost triumphant. Daniel rises to his feet. His face is what it looks like in those movie scenes when someone tells the good guy news that's unbelievable: pure, utter shock. Daniel quickly gets himself together.

"Emma…", he begins, his voice steady but devoid of the warmth I'd been hoping for. There's no apology there, no explanation-just my name, hanging in the air as if I were a stranger who'd wandered into the wrong room.

My throat closes up, and I try to swallow the hurt, attempting to steady my voice. "I… I came to surprise you for your birthday," I say, hating how my words shake.

Daniel turns away from me and shifts his gaze to Veronica before speaking again. "Veronica, could you give us a moment?"

Veronica gets up; a slight, mocking smile plays on her face. A quick glance at me is dismissive, yet full of satisfaction. She says nothing but moves to stand by the doorway, a quiet, lingering reminder of what I just saw.

I inhale deeply, attempting to gather my thoughts, but the only thought recurring in my head is that Daniel has not said a word to reassure or explain. He stands silently, awaiting for me to speak as if he has already moved past whatever pain I may feel.

"Daniel… how long?" The words spill from my lips before I can really censor them; resentment and betrayal taint my voice. "How long has this been going on between you two?"

He looks away, his jaw clenching, and it's like a wave of realization washes over me. He's not denying it. There's no shock in his eyes, no defense-just quiet acceptance I don't want to witness. My hands shake; my fingers tighten around the gift box as it all unravels inside my heart.

"Emma," he says finally, his voice low. "I didn't mean for you to find out this way."

"Didn't mean for me to find out?" I echo, incredulous. "Daniel, the least you could have done is tell me yourself-to be honest with me?

He utters nothing, and in that silence, he says it all. I swallow hard as the bitter taste of his betrayal galls me, and I feel a prick in my eye, threatening to drop a tear. But I don't let it fall because I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how deep he has hurt me. Without saying more, I turn around to go, my heart splintering with every step.

As I approach the doorway, Veronica's already standing there, arms crossed, watching me with a cold, amused look in her eyes as if she revels in the pain etched on my face. She takes a step forward, blocking my path, the light sparkling in her eyes like something darker, more cruel.

"Not so fun finding out you're not wanted, is it?" she says quietly, her voice dripping with condescension. "Maybe now you'll realize you were never his first choice."

I take a steadying breath, fighting to keep my composure. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I ask, my voice calm though I feel anything but.

She smirks, her eye glinting with a self-satisfied gleam. "Oh you have no idea. Watching you play like you ever were to him, like you mattered… it was almost pitiful.

The words cut through me, one after another, a new wound with each passing moment. I raise my chin, trying not to show her just how hurtful they are. "You may have him now, Veronica, but don't kid yourself. Men like Daniel… they aren't loyal to anyone for too long.".

The smirk on her face falters for a moment, her eyes flicker in doubt before she covers that with a cold smile. "Nice try. But let's be real here, Emma. You're standing here alone, and I'm the one walking out of this place with him."

The air is thick between us with tension; for one quick second, I think of saying something cutting-something that would hurt her as much as she hurt me. But I restrain myself, knowing it will do no good. I don't have to stoop to her level, simply to prove a point.

Instead, I look her in the eye, my voice steady as I speak. "You can do whatever you think is right, but you are definitely going to regret this"

With that, I push past her, feeling her gaze burn into my back as I walk out of Daniel's apartment, leaving the remnants of my broken heart behind.