The Alpha's Heart

Episode4

As fate would have it, Sarah wanted to pay James back for all the pain he had caused her. At the first opportunity, she began running attacks on their common reputation, particularly and exclusively associating James with other women and accusing him of cheating. To make the matter more serious, she even set up a false social profile impersonating one of the girls James had cheated her with.

The more the machine of rumors worked, the more black smear seemed to be directed in the direction of James. Donning all possible evidence, he had to disprove such statements, and still went on. Nobody lost trust such as for the things James attempted to do. Too good had Sarah constructed the screenshot against James that made everyone looking right into the camera mouth the words.

But with the tarnishing of James's image, Sarah's image suffered too. She had never been prepared for this chain of events. She was too mad, too wounded to be called back. James, by every means, attempted to stand up and collapse before her and ask for forgiveness, and much of their anger and explanation if the bare time was not sufficient. But Sarah had none of this. She blocked his number, unfriended him on social networks, and went as far as changing the doors to her apartment to prevent him from entering.

Over time, Sarah lost all the reasons for harboring any revenge or hatred towards anyone. She was cut off, by herself, away unbounded. And still, she was in pain. Revenge was something she expected to calm her down when the worst came to worst but with no success.

But Sarah was still too hurt to forgive. She needed time to heal, to process her emotions and to figure out what she wanted. And so, she told James to leave her alone, to give her space.

James was heartbroken, but he knew he had to respect Sarah's wishes. He backed off, giving her the space she needed, but he never gave up hope that one day, she would forgive him and take him back.

As the days turned into weeks, Sarah began to feel the weight of her solitude. She had thought that hurting James would make her feel better, but it hadn't. It had only made her feel more alone.

She started to realize that she had made a mistake, that her revenge had been misguided. She had let her anger and hurt consume her, and now she was paying the price.

One day, as she was wandering around her empty apartment, Sarah saw a photo of her and James. They were happy, smiling, and in love. She remembered the way he used to make her laugh, the way he used to hold her hand.

She felt a pang of regret and longing. She missed him. She missed the way he used to make her feel.

Sarah knew she had to do things right. She couldn't keep living like this, alone and angry. She needed to forgive James and herself.

She picked up the phone and dialed his number. It rang a few times before he answered.

"Hello?" he said, his voice hesitant.

Sarah tried to sound nonchalant, but her voice betrayed her. "Hey, James. I was just calling to... uh... see how you're doing."

James's voice was cautious. "I'm doing okay, I guess. Just trying to move on from everything that happened."

Sarah laughed, trying to sound carefree. "Yeah, me too. I'm just focusing on myself right now."

But James didn't buy it. He knew Sarah too well. "Sarah, come on. You can't just pretend that everything is fine between us. We need to talk about what happened."

Sarah sighed, trying to maintain the charade. "James, it's fine. I'm just... busy. Yeah, that's it. Busy."

James's voice was laced with skepticism. "Sarah, you're not fooling anyone. Least of all me. I know you're still in love with me."

Sarah's heart skipped a beat. How did he know?! She tried to play it cool, but her voice trembled slightly. "Wh-what are you talking about, James?"

James's laugh was low and husky. "Don't play dumb, Sarah. I know you. And I know you're still hurting. Just admit it."

Sarah's pride wouldn't let her admit it. Not yet, at least. "James, I need to go. Nice talking to you."

And with that, she hung up the phone, her heart racing with emotions she couldn't quite process.

Sarah tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to James. She couldn't believe he had called her out like that. Did he really think she was still in love with him?

But as she worked, Sarah couldn't shake off the feeling that James was right. She was still in love with him. And it was killing her.

She tried to distract herself by going out with friends, but even that didn't work. She found herself comparing every guy she met to James.

Why couldn't she just move on? Why did her heart still belong to him?

As the days went by, Sarah realized that she needed to confront her feelings once and for all. She needed to see James again.

But what would she say to him? And what would he say to her?

Sarah's heart raced at the thought of seeing James again. She was scared, but she knew she needed to do that.

She ignored the feeling of calling him.

They coincidentally met at a coffee shop one evening.

James: "Sarah, please listen to me. I know I hurt you, but I was drunk that night at Mary's party. I didn't mean to cheat on you. Mary forced herself on me, and I couldn't resist. I know it's no excuse, but I was weak and stupid."

Sarah: "Weak and stupid? You were weak and stupid for a whole year, James? Don't insult my intelligence. You made a choice, and now you have to live with it."

James: "Sarah, please forgive me. I love you, and I don't want to lose you. I'll do anything to make it right."

Sarah: "Anything? Really? Then tell me the truth. Why did you continue to see Mary even after that night? Why did you lie to me and tell me you were working late?"

James: "I...I don't know. I was scared, I guess. I didn't want to lose you, but I also didn't want to give up Mary. I know it's no excuse, but I was trapped in my own desires."

Sarah: "Trapped in your own desires? You were trapped in your own lies, James. And now you're begging me to forgive you? I don't know if I can ever trust you again."

James: "Sarah, I'm telling you, Mary made me drunk that night. She kept pouring me shots and I didn't know what I was doing. And then she said something that hurt me."

Sarah: "What did she say?"

James: "She said...she said 'you don't love Sarah either'. And I know it's not true, but at that moment, it felt like it was. And I was vulnerable, and I made a mistake."

Sarah: "Oh my god...that's the same thing she said to me! 'You don't love me either'! How could she say that to both of us?"

James: "I know, it's twisted. But Sarah, please listen to me. I love you, and I want to work through this together."

Sarah: "I...I don't know, James. This is all so much to take in. I need time to think."

James: "Okay, I understand. But please, Sarah, don't give up on us. I'll do anything to make it right.