ISABELLE
I heard him.
Every word—crystal clear.
He had planned to propose to her.
Her.
But then, she vanished.
It was never going to be me. I was never even a choice.
All those sweet reassurances from his mother? Lies. Empty words wrapped in polite smiles and false hope. And like a fool desperate to believe them, I passed those same lies to my friend Loretta—knowing full well she’d share them with the rest of our circle.
Now, I’m trapped in a web I helped weave.
Doomed by my reality. Doomed by Alexander Hayes’ heart, which was never mine to begin with.
“Can I get you anything?” a soft, feminine voice asked behind me.
I blinked quickly, trying to hold back the flood threatening to spill—but it was useless.
Tears broke free, carving hot trails down my cheeks as I turned around
