Chapter 2. The Heart’s Burden

Zara’s POV

Why does he act like I don’t exist?

Am I not beautiful enough?

Am I not strong enough?

Does he think I’m too young… too immature?

I’ve kept my heart untouched for him. I’ve saved every part of myself, all my firsts, all my hopes… only for him. So why does he reject me so cruelly?

Tears fell again, hot and endless, as I collapsed to my knees. I pressed my hands over my face, trying to hold myself together, but the ache in my chest was too heavy.

“I hate him,” I whispered to no one. “I hate him so much.”

But it was a lie.

A lie I told myself because the truth—that I loved a man who would never love me back—was too unbearable to face.