Shattered Heart
980 Words
RILEY HARRINGTON'S POV
I watch the video of Wilden and Briana kissing on repeat, the searing pain in my heart making it hard for me to stop or look away. It didn’t take long for the footage to go viral. It has garnered millions of likes and thousands of supportive comments, all praising Wilden for "choosing well". Reading through the comments makes me feel like a worthless wreck. Then there is another clip of me collapsing right in the middle of the crowd. The caption is cruelly funny: “When you find out your billionaire crush is taken. Literally fainting at the party! #WildenTaken #HeartbrokenFan”.
I am glad I am a nobody or the paparazzi would be having a field day with the clip.
I don't remember anything after the moment I fell. What I know is the security dragged me out and dumped me at some hospital, at least the young nurse there told me that much when I woke up confused. I took a taxi home and went straight to bed numb and utterly devastated.
I scroll more and find another clip of Wilden speaking to the press at the end of the party. “I don’t know the woman who fainted at the party. She’s not someone I’m familiar with.” He says.
Extreme hurt and sadness burst back into my chest. The man I love, the man I was supposed to marry, acting like I am a stranger. He didn't say that he is engaged. He didn't mention my name even though we have been secretly together. He said that his dream is to be with Briana Sullivan.
Angry tears gather in my eyes even as I try to convince myself that maybe he did not mean any of the words he said. Maybe this is for publication? Celebrities do that, right? He would have to be heartless to want that model. Someone that has done nothing he did not pay her to do. I forfeited my modeling career to become his supportive partner.
I would be calling him if I didn't lose my phone plus everything in my handbag when I fainted. I will wait for him to arrive home and demand answers. Does he feel ashamed of me? Is that the reason he has kept our relationship a secret for three years?
The door to the master bedroom pulls back slightly and Mary, our only house help in this opulent mansion pops her head into the opening. She's an older sweet woman and had been working for Wilden long before we started dating.
“Riley, sweetie. Thank God!” She rushes to my side. “I was so worried when I saw that video and you didn't make it back." She wrenches her hands around my neck and shoulders to hug me.
“Tell me what really happened,” she whispers. Offcourse she too saw the video. She is also the only one who knew about my planned secret surprise.
“I saw him with her,” I utter between sobs. “I saw it with my own eyes. He said he likes her, and I watched as he leaned over to kiss her. Right there in front of the cameras for everyone to see.”
"Oh, Riley, it will be all right!” She hugs me tightly.
No it's not.
"You look so awful. Should I take you to hospital?" She asks with a worried face.
"I doubt any hospital in the world would be able to mend a very shattered heart."
She smiles gently. “Then I’ll run you a bath, and maybe we can talk when you’re feeling a little better.”
She leads me toward the bathroom.
Just then, we hear the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up outside. He’s here!
Mary shakes her head at me but I am already outside the room rushing down the stairs. My heart is in a desperate need for his assurance that I am still the love of his life. I still have faith that he hasn't forgotten the sacrifices I have for him. He cannot be in love with her.
Hopefully he will say that he did not mean anything he said or did in that party, it was all for media and public. That's all it will take for my heart to find peace again.
I am still wearing the dress from yesterday, unshowered and tear streaked, I wipe my face with the sleeves and step into the living only to freeze in place. There, standing side by side, are Wilden and Briana Sullivan. He actually brought her here! To our home?
Briana looks ethereal in a yellow cargo mini skirt, white heels, a crisp blouse, and golden sunglasses. She scans the room with a pleased smile. “This place is exactly what I imagined, classy, elegant, just like you,” she says to Wilden. He nods, watching her with a soft smile.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to push past the shock and hurt.
"You have arrived unusually early." I say and they both finally notice me.
A harsh expression immediately takes over Wilden's angelic face. Unlike other times, he doesn't look happy to see me.
Nevertheless, I put on a delightful smile as I stride forward and wraps my hands around his broad shoulders, inhaling his masculine cologne. But he pushes me back like a repulsive thing with a foul smell.
Surprised, I step back and realize that his eyes are glaring at me. "We need to talk." He informs in a frigid tone.
I glance at Briana, who is watching us with a calm, almost amused expression. Wilden gives her a small nod. “Make yourself at home,” he says and before I can say anything, he takes my arm and leads me toward the other room. The door closes behind us.
- Writer
