All Chapters of A Game of Hearts: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Cameron came back on the day Jessica and I went to pick out our wedding rings.She had chosen the date herself.Last week, Jessica drank herself into a stupor on Cameron's birthday. She stumbled home in the middle of the night, reeking of alcohol. As soon as she saw me, she threw her arms around my neck, calling me "Cam".She repeatedly demanded to know where I had been all these years and why I had stayed out of touch. It wasn't the first time this had happened in the past five years, either. Each time, Jessica would act like nothing happened afterward, and I'd let it go, never bringing it up.But this time, I recorded it.After all, some things needed to be confronted.The next day, I showed Jessica the video. She barely glanced at the screen and didn't even reach out to take the phone. Instead, she just kept sipping her milk.With a dismissive shrug, she said, "I thought you'd be used to it by now."I turned off my phone and smiled bitterly. "I've been with you for five year

It turned out that this fried chicken place was Jessica and Cameron's favorite haunt from their university days. So, this was a little trip down memory lane for them. When the owner's wife asked that question, Jessica and Cameron both shared a look of understanding and just went along with it, not bothering to clarify.Deep down, I knew Jessica must be hoping that her fiancé was Cameron. After all, despite everything I had done for her over the last five years, she had never forgotten him.The smell of sizzling meat filled the air. The restaurant was surprisingly clean, a contrast to the chaos outside.Jessica and Cameron settled into a corner of the restaurant. They laughed and joked, their noses turning red from the spice, while I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.She served him first, piling food onto his plate with a bright smile. Just as she was about to go back to her own meal, she remembered me and placed a few pieces of spicy fried chicken on my plate. The steam from the

Selena's face flushed bright red. "Do you not remember me? I actually knew you before Jess did. I've liked you for a long time, but it always seemed like you only had eyes for her…"As her friend spoke, Jessica cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Lena, what are you talking about?"It was only then that Selena seemed to remember Cameron was standing next to her."Cameron, it's just my personal opinion. Jess and Sebastian are only friends!" she explained hurriedly.Cameron chuckled and affectionately ruffled Jessica's hair. "I won't read too much into it. I've known since university that my girl is never going to fall for anyone but me."I remained quiet, just standing there.At that moment, I felt a wave of failure wash over me. I had been living with Jessica as her boyfriend for five years, yet our relationship was so unremarkable that even her best friend was completely in the dark about it.Seeing me lost in thought, Selena waved a hand in front of my face. "Sebastian,

[Not interested.][It's been five years, and I honestly didn't think you'd be interested in Selena.]Not wanting to see any more of Jessica's messages, I shut off my phone and walked with Selena, chatting as we made our way to her apartment.When we reached the building, I turned around after bidding her goodbye.But then, she called out, "Sebastian."I turned back to find her nervously fidgeting with her fingers in the dim light, hesitating before finally speaking up."The next time we meet, can I... hold your hand?"I smiled and nodded. "Sure."Selena looked up as if electrified, then stepped forward and gently kissed me. It was a shy kiss, fitting for her personality. As soon as it happened, she turned away, not daring to meet my eyes."Get some rest once you arrive home. See you tomorrow," she said nervously before she turned and hurried off, her face a bright shade of red.My heart fluttered at the unexpected kiss, leaving me momentarily dazed.-The next day was a Sat

When I refused, she immediately responded, "I was just joking."Then, testing the waters, she hesitantly asked, "What about if I moved in next door?"I didn't answer.But to my surprise, just a couple of days later, she really did move into the empty apartment next door that had been vacant for two years.One night, she knocked on my door, asking if she could use my bathroom since she didn't have hot water yet. Later, she stood in my bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel, and asked if she could crash on my couch for the night because her place was too messy to sleep in.She made sure to assure me that she wouldn't do anything, which made me laugh.She was a woman. Wasn't she worried I would take advantage of her?I ended up giving her my bedroom.The next morning, she woke up early and made breakfast. When I got up, I saw her wearing an apron, working hard at the kitchen counter. This was the kind of life I had been dreaming of for the last five years.In a completely impulsiv