And there was you

Chapter7: picking pieces

Heartbreak felt like a thousand knives piercing the heart.

Zara lay on her bed, staring at the glow-in-the-dark stars attached to her ceiling, tears filling her eyes.

Throughout the journey home, from the bus stop to her house, she had fought desperately to stop herself from crying. She didn't want strangers asking questions.

Thankfully, the house was empty when she arrived. Her mother and sister were not at home.

The moment she entered her room, she could no longer hold back the tears.

Her hands trembled as she picked up her phone and dialed her best friend, Annie.

The call rang twice before Annie answered.

"Hey, Zara. Aren't you supposed to be having dinner with Jason right now?"

Zara tried to speak, but only a sob escaped her lips.

"Zara?"

Annie's voice immediately changed.

"What's wrong? Are you crying?"

For several seconds, Zara couldn't answer.

"Zara, talk to me. What happened?"

"I... I went to see Jason."

"And?"

Another sob escaped her.

"I found him with another woman."

Silence.

"What?"

"He was in bed with her, Annie. They were having sex."

"Oh my God."

Annie paused.

"You know what? Stay where you are. I'm coming over."

"You don't have to."

"Yes, I do. And you're not spending tonight alone."

The call ended.

Annie lived only a few houses away from Zara, so she arrived very quickly.

The moment Zara saw her, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Annie immediately pulled her into a hug, gently rubbing her back.

Zara covered her mouth as tears streamed down her face.

"They both laughed at me," she said. "He said he stopped loving me. He said I was never enough."

"No. Jason said that?"

Zara nodded.

"Oh my God. That bastard. I wish I could see him right now and tear him into pieces. How could he say that to you?"

"I gave him five years, Annie. Five years. What did I do wrong?"

"You did nothing wrong, Zara. He's just an ungrateful man who doesn't deserve you. I've always felt there was something wrong with him."

"But why wasn't I enough?"

Annie took both her hands.

"Listen to me. His cheating says everything about him and nothing about you."

Zara cried harder.

"I loved him."

"I know."

"I was going to give him his anniversary gift today."

Annie sighed softly.

"Listen carefully. You are beautiful, kind, hardworking, and more than enough. If Jason couldn't see that, then he's a fool."

A weak laugh escaped Zara.

"And that woman?" Annie continued. "Trust me, if I ever see her, I'll personally help her remember today's date."

Despite everything, Zara smiled through her tears.

"There she is," Annie said. "That's the Zara I know."

"I don't know what to do."

"First, you're going to stop blaming yourself. Second, tomorrow we begin Operation Forget Jason."

Zara laughed weakly.

"Operation Forget Jason?"

"Exactly. Step one: cry. Step two: eat. Step three: insult him repeatedly until you realize he doesn't deserve you."

Zara smiled.

"You know what? How about I run you a bath, and then we can watch a movie together like we always do?"

"I think that would be nice. Thank you so much, Annie."

"Anything for my girl."

For the first time since her world fell apart, Zara felt a small warmth in her chest.

Her heart was broken.

Her dreams had been shattered.

But at least she still had her best friend.

At least she still had someone who cared.

She silently thanked God for giving her Annie.

With Annie by her side, she felt she could survive anything.

That night, Zara made a quiet promise to herself.

She would no longer devote her entire life to a man who had broken her heart.

Somehow, she would learn to live again.