Chapter 2. Broken and Confused

Nina’s POV

Deep down, I knew the truth was staring me in the face.

As May purred into the phone, I held my breath, praying for a different reality. My prayers went unanswered as I heard her speak. “Do you love me, Leo?”

That was my Leo!

Every fiber of my being shook as my heart shattered, the pieces scattering like glass shards across the floor. The man I had trusted, the man I had cherished, had betrayed me in the most unimaginable way.

The tears fell in a torrent, hot and relentless. I could barely hear May’s voice over the roaring of my own blood in my ears, every word a fresh stab of agony.

“I… love you… always have… always will…” Leo’s deep, honeyed voice echoed in my mind, tormenting me.

A keening wail erupted from my throat as the tears flowed, my body shaking with the force of my sobs. I dropped to my knees, the pain in my heart too much to bear.

My vision swam, blurring the world around me as I slumped against the wall. How could he do this? How could he betray me like this? Every memory of our love, every sweet word he had whispered, every tender touch he had given me now felt like a cruel joke, a lie, a mockery of my naïve trust.

I was broken and confused.

The phone slipped from my trembling fingers and clattered to the floor, the voices of my betrayers becoming distant and hollow. I crumpled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, as my mind replayed the sweet nothings Leo had whispered in my ear and the laughter of my sister as we had shared secrets and dreams.

A bitter taste rose in my mouth. How long had she been lying to my face? How long had he? My stomach twisted in revulsion, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I might be sick. I clenched my fists against the floor, the carpet digging into my palms, grounding me as the storm inside me threatened to swallow me whole.

The contrast between those memories and the harsh reality of their deceit was too much to bear. My chest heaved with each ragged breath, my sobs wracking my body as I curled into a tight ball of anguish and despair.

“What is the matter, Nina?” Nora’s concerned voice rang out, but I did not give her a reply. I was lost in a world of pain and anguish. I could not believe it!

That was not my Leo on the phone!

“No! No!” I yelled out with pain and fear; I was slowly going crazy!

I fought so hard to deny that it was Leo, but as much as I tried, I knew I could not deceive myself. It was truly my man, Leo.

“Nina, please talk to me,” Nina pleaded again.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet her soft gaze on me.

“Please…” she muttered tenderly.

As those words left my lips, tears subconsciously fell down my cheeks, my lips trembling with pain.

“I… I…” I tried saying something, but no words came out. Rather, my voice was hoarse with pain.

“Hey, hey…” Nora muttered as she hugged me. “Take a deep breath. It is all going to be alright, trust me.”

Her hug and soft words seemed to do the trick because I found myself calming down. I took a deep breath and steadied my emotions a little.

“Nora…” I called as I broke from the hug. I closed my eyes, trying to muster the courage to utter such abominable words from my mouth. “It’s… it’s… Leo,” I finally said and almost immediately, she flared up with shock.

“Leo?!” She asked, half yelling. “Did… did anything happen to him?!”

“No,” I shook my head. “He… he cheated on me with my stepsister!” I yelled out with pain and anger, I could hardly believe it, Leo was fucking cheating on me!

“What?” She yelled, unable to believe it. “How do you know about this, though?”

“The… the phone call…” I muttered. “I heard him making out with my sister!”

“Hey… calm down now, little banshee,” Nora said as she patted me. “It is going to be okay, dear. It might not be what you think. Why don’t you just go to his company and confront him?”

I nodded. That was a good idea.

“Al…alright then,” I sniffled as I got up, dried my tears, and began walking towards my room. I prayed within myself that it was all a scary nightmare that I was going to wake up from very soon, but deep down, I could not help but feel as though my worst nightmare was my reality.

I headed straight to my room, changed into a simple, white flared gown, grabbed my purse and the bracelet I had made for Leo, and began walking towards the door.

“I will be back,” I told Nora, who gave me an encouraging smile.

As I boarded a cab to his company, I was lost in thoughts. I literally held onto the last strings of my sanity and did not burst into hot tears as memories of the awful thing I heard in the phone call flashed through my mind.

After about thirty minutes of driving, we finally arrived at Leo’s company. I paid the cab driver and he drove off, leaving me standing in front of the imposing building that was right in front of me.

As I stared at the company, memories of the loving time I had with Leo flashed through my mind. I could remember when he always muttered sweet words in my ears and made me experience sweet things I never imagined I could.

Leo could not possibly cheat on me, right?

I took a deep breath and braced myself before stepping into the company. I then walked straight to the elevator that led to his office.

I needed answers to my questions as soon as possible!

As the elevator door opened, I was now standing in front of Leo’s office. For the first time in forever, I dreaded going in. My heart began to thump vigorously in my chest. What if it was true? What if it wasn’t?