Destroy

Chapter 3

I didn’t stop them.

Three years ago, he had stood before my parents and said almost the exact same words.

The same conviction.

The same smile.

Just… a different woman.

I pressed my hand over my mouth to muffle my voice and swallowed back the sob building in my

throat.

“I’m happy for you,” I said hoarsely.

“Take care of her, okay? And when the wedding comes, don’t forget to send me an invite. I’ll make sure to bring a generous gift.”

Delilah squealed with joy.

Even through the screen, I could picture her grinning ear to ear.

“You hear that, Nathan? I told you I’m not alone! I got my backup!”

And you don’t get mad over stupid things. Always answer my calls. And if I need something, you’d better be there in three seconds flat!”

Chapter 3

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I ended the call.

My hands were shaking.

My whole body trembled.

It took minutes–maybe hours before I could breathe normally again.

But the pain didn’t go away.

It just kept rising, wave after wave, until it choked me.

I found myself dialing an international number.

It was two in the morning where they were.

But I needed them.

When the call connected, I couldn’t even speak.

“Claire?” my mom’s voice came through, groggy and worried. “What’s wrong? Why are you calling

so late?”

Three years ago, I had screamed at my parents because they didn’t approve of Nathan

I’d graduated from a top university, with a future full of possibilities.

He, at the time, was just a boy from nowhere, scraping his way through life.

Everyone–my parents, my friends–told me we didn’t belong together.

But I didn’t listen.

Because I was hypnotized by the tenderness in his eyes.

I thought that was enough.

I thought love could conquer anything.

What a cruel joke.

My chest heaved. My voice cracked.

And then I broke.

doesn’t love me anymore,” I sobbed.

There was a long pause on the other end.

So long it felt like the world stopped spinning.

And then, with steady, unshakable clarity, my parents said: “Come home, sweetheart.

you are, whatever you’ve been through, you always have a place with us.

They booked me a flight that night.

Nathan Sterling, I don’t want you anymore.