CHAPTER 2

A FEW MOMENTS LATER

As soon as I entered the bathroom, I sank onto the cold, hard floor and tried to gather my thoughts. I sat on the bathroom floor, surrounded by the sterile white tiles and the faint scent of cleaning supplies, trying to make sense of the memories that were flooding back to me. I had trusted Chelsea so much in my previous life and even considered her a very close friend, but now I realized that all along, she had just been using me to get closer to Ezra. I was so pissed that I trusted someone like her. She's just so deceitful!

The thought of her betrayal felt like a physical wound and it broke my heart into a million pieces I couldn't stem the flow of tears as I remembered how she had always pretended to be there for me, offering help and support when all along her true goal had been to drive a wedge between Ezra and me. She was just a fucking jealous bitch!! Damn it!! Damn me for trusting her and letting her fool me!! I felt so foolish for not seeing it before, for not realizing the truth about her intentions. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so dumb?? I didn't even realize how evil she was.

I had always considered myself a good judge of character, but in this case, I had been completely wrong about Chelsea. Tears streamed down my face as I remembered how she had used me, manipulated me and my trust in her just to get closer to Ezra. It was a cruel, heartbreaking realization, and I felt completely devastated.

I sat in the bathroom for what felt like hours, lost in my thoughts and memories until the sound of a knock on the bathroom door broke through my thoughts.

"Are you okay?" a voice called out from the other side. "You've been in there for a long time. Fontuu need help with anything?"

I recognized the voice as Chelsea's, and I quickly wiped away my tears and tried to compose myself.

"I'm fine," I called back with my voice shaking slightly. "I'll be out in a minute."

As I walked out of the bathroom and made my way toward the bed, I couldn't help but feel very uncomfortable with Chelsea in the room. I had just spent the last few minutes wiping away my tears and washing my face, trying to compose myself before coming out to face her. Despite her attempts at feigning concern, I couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't truly here for me – I could see through her.

I quietly sat down on the edge of the bed and Chelsea took a seat beside me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before I spoke. "Why are you here Chelsea??" I asked as my voice came out a bit terser than I had intended.

"I just wanted to check on you. I heard what happened. I can't believe that Ezra caught you eloping with Ian. I wonder how he found out about it," Chelsea replied with her tone sounding saccharine sweet. "I saw him leave and I quickly came in to see you. I was worried about you Valerie." Chelsea said

I frowned because her words were ringing false in my ears. "I appreciate the concern, Chelsea. Thank you for checking up on me but I'm fine." I managed to say.

Chelsea's expression darkened for a moment before she schooled her features into a mask of innocence and asked, "What's wrong? You are acting really strange. Did Ezra do something to hurt you??"

I sighed, I wanted to confront her but I didn't. "No, he didn't do anything to hurt me. I'm just feeling tired, that's all." I replied her

"I'm here for you, I promise," she said with a concerned look on her face. "I'll help you get away from Ezra, he's not good for you."

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean? Ezra is my mate and we've been together for years."

"Yes, I know," she said with a sigh. "But you've got to trust me, he's not the man you think he is. He's dangerous, and I'm worried about your safety."

I couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Chelsea was always one to stir up trouble and this was just another one of her games. But this time was different because I had been given a second chance. I had been reborn, and I knew what was coming – I knew all the tricks already and I was ready for her.

"I appreciate your concern, Chelsea," I said with a smile. "But I'm not afraid of Ezra. I know him better than anyone, and he would never hurt me."

"You're not listening to me," she said as her voice grew stern. "You need to get out of this situation before it's too late and I'll do everything in my power to help you."

I didn't want to further argue with her so I just sighed and nodded, agreeing to whatever she said.

She patted me on my shoulders and whispered to me, "You have to leave Ezra, he's scary and very dangerous," she said with a warning tone. "I will help you, just trust me."

"You will be fine. Everything will be fine. You just have to do as I say and you will be free from Ezra." She added as she continued to pat my shoulders. "I will leave you now but I will be back to check up on you again. Take care of yourself, Valerie." Chelsea said and left 

With that, she got up from the bed and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, but I was determined to stay the course. I knew what was coming, and I was prepared for her and everything. I wasn't going to be stupid again!