Tears of love

2. The breakup. [Part 1]

CHAPTER 2: The Breakup.

“Here you go,” Aunt Anne says, handing a slice of chocolate cake to Sadie and me.

“Thanks,” we both reply at the same time.

Aunt Anne smiles at us before sitting beside Uncle Sergio to keep watching the movie.

I lift the small spoon and poke at the cake, not feeling the slightest bit hungry.

“You okay?” Sadie asks softly beside me.

I meet her worried eyes for a long second, unsure if I should tell her the truth or not. Sometimes, Sadie can be brutally honest when it comes to anything involving Jeremy. My blonde best friend hates that I love him—she says it only hurts me. And maybe… she’s right.

“Jeremy hasn’t shown up,” I murmur finally, keeping my voice low so only she can hear. “What if something happened to him?”

Sadie looks at me with a mix of helplessness and sadness—and I can’t tell which emotion makes me angrier.

“Aurora…” she says, trying to sound gentle. “Jeremy’s with Sabrina. He’s probably not even coming home tonight. When are you going to stop worrying about him?”

I swallow hard against the lump forming in my throat.

“You know I love him.”

“Maybe you should stop,” she murmurs, not looking at me.

Her words make me flinch. Even though I know she means well, they sting.

“The problem is… I don’t know how,” I whisper.

Her concern deepens as she looks at me.

“Damn it, I’m sorry,” she says, setting her plate down and reaching for my hand to give it a light squeeze. “I just hate seeing you like this. You know I care about Jeremy, but I care about you so much more. You’re like a sister to me, Aurora, and I don’t like seeing you hurt because of him. He’s not worth it.”

I notice Aunt Anne glancing at us from the couch, so I discreetly wipe away a tear and force an enthusiastic smile. Back to pretending.

“Did you find another job yet?” I ask, changing the subject.

I take a bite of cake while I wait for her answer.

Sadie huffs and does something that’s so her—she rolls her eyes.

“No. Every place wants experience,” she says, frustrated. “I think I’ll have to take the bar job.”

I shake my head immediately.

“Are you crazy? You’ll be getting home late and exhausted—”

“Aurora, I don’t have a choice,” she interrupts. “I need to save money to start college next semester.”

“You already work at the restaurant—you’ll be exhausted working all day.”

“They pay me too little there. It’s not enough.” Her voice sounds tired. “I’ll call Easton tomorrow and tell him I’ll take the job.”

“Sadie…”

“Please don’t look at me like that,” she says, her tone pleading—but she gives me a small, comforting smile. “It’s what I have to do, and you know it.”

I stay quiet, unable to argue. I don’t like the idea of her working nights at a bar, surrounded by drunk strangers who could easily cross a line. But she’s right—there’s no other option.

Sadie’s dad died when she was little, and since then, it’s just been her and her mom, Samantha. Eventually, Samantha married that awful man, Rid—some big-shot businessman, but honestly, he’s just a terrible person. And unfortunately, Samantha became part of his world. Sadie refuses to use Rid’s money to pay for college, which is why she’s determined to work this semester and save enough to pay for her literature studies next term.

“At least you’ve got a car,” I say, making her laugh—a sound that immediately warms my heart.

“At least,” she repeats playfully.

Her car might not be the newest model, but it’s hers. I still remember the pure joy on her face the day she finally bought it after months of saving.

“So, how did enrollment go?” she asks, eyes still on the TV screen.

“Good. I met a guy,” I say, and that immediately gets her attention. She looks right at me. “His name’s Ryan—but don’t get your hopes up. You know I only have eyes for—”

“Jeremy!” Aunt Anne exclaims, and all of us turn toward the front door, which has just burst open.

Jeremy walks in looking furious, his expression hard and full of anger. He slams the door shut behind him and heads straight upstairs without saying a word, not even glancing at anyone.

“What happened to him?” Uncle Sergio asks Aunt Anne, both of them looking bewildered.

It’s strange—Jeremy never acts like this. He always greets everyone, always calm and collected. This… isn’t him.

“I’ll be right back,” I say, standing up. Without thinking about anything—or anyone—else, I rush upstairs to his room.