Chapter 2 — Abandoned
1230 Words
"What?” Evelyn raised a brow, gazing at me like I was the most disgusting thing on earth, “he shattered your pretty illusion. What did you think? That he was going to marry you?”
I sniffed, forcing myself to hold back my tears before Evelyn crouched down so she could hold eyes with me, “you felt all high and mighty. You thought one of this city's billionaires was going to marry you.”
“I'm certain you were already thinking of wonderful ways to spend his cash.”
“Stay away,” Selena gritted as she shot Evelyn a glare, “If you have nothing good to say, I need you to leave Evelyn.”
“What?” She rolled her eyes. “This venue is owned by the Sinclair family and do you know whose family that is? Mine!” she then stood and stepped away.
“It was never yours to begin with. Every opportunity you got with Harlan, you didn't deserve them and I'm glad my brother came to his senses.”
“He realised you're worthless. Leave the premises before I have guards come throw you out,” she turned before she paused in her steps.
“And don't forget the show next week,” and I watched as Evelyn walked away.
More tears cascaded my cheeks, my chest tight. “I… I am not worthless, Selena, am I?” My voice was cracked and strained as my throat tightened.
“Of course not… of course not,”
“Then why didn't he come,” I pulled away from Selena's grip. “Why didn't he come, Selena? He didn't even reach out to me,” at that, I paused and wiped my tears.
“Do you think… something happened?” My eyes widened as my back straightened, “Selena, do you think something happened to him?” I looked in the direction Evelyn took.
“Do you think Evelyn did something?”
“Val—”
“Is he fine? What if he's not fine, Selena? What if he didn't intentionally ditch me? What if all of this is a plan?” I stood instantly, searching the floor I crumbled to, “my phone… where's my phone Selena?”
“It crashed to the floor earlier,” I didn't let Selena complete her words. I rushed back to the hall even without knowing the direction. It took me different turns but I finally reached the hall.
Gossips had filled the room but that wasn't any of my concern. I dashed to the altar, finding the shattered phone but I picked it regardless. As soon as eyes rested on me, cameras began flashing in my face.
Without waiting, I rushed outside before reporters could find me and bumped right into Selena.
“Val, what are you doing?”
“Your phone. Give me your phone, Selena!”
“What are you doing?”
“Give it to me,” I pulled the phone off Selena's grip and at once ran my earring into the slide and opened the SIM case. In no time, my SIM was inside hers and I was calling the one woman — the one person I was certain would know Harlan's movement.
She picked at the first ring, “where's Harlan?”
“At home. And I think… there's a problem,”
I didn't let her finish. I bolted instantly and Selena dashed after me until we reached her car. “Val, what's next?”
“She just said… she thinks there's a problem, Selena. Maybe there's a problem and Harlan doesn't want me to know. I have to see him.”
Selena grabbed my arm instantly, “what are you doing? Of course not, Val. If there's a problem, he would have told you. Come on, he's an adult.”
“I don't care. You have no idea how some problems get,” I got into the car instantly, “I will drive myself.”
Selena protested immediately. “Not in this state, Val,” reluctantly she got into the car and replaced me in the driver's seat.
As we headed to Harlan's mansion, different scenarios played in my head. What kind of problem could it be? Enemies? Business partners?
My mind couldn't pinpoint one because the Sinclair empire is certain to have different issues.
As soon as we got to the gate, I rushed to the verification centre and slid my fingers on it. The gates opened instantly — because that's how much Harlan loved me.
He made me have access to everything that was his.
Selena drove in while I bolted into the mansion. Instantly I pushed the entrance door open and dashed to his room. Without any words, I was knocking on the door to his room.
I heard the soft footsteps of the familiar strides before the door clicked open and Harlan froze in his steps while I roamed my eyes on him.
He was in a light attire, and his suit— they lay on the bed. The suit we had carefully picked together. The suit he was supposed to wear to marry me.
“What happened?” I grabbed his arm instantly, “what happened, Harlan?”
Harlan took a step back. His mouth raised before they went shut and I saw a frown crease on his forehead. “You don't just come bang on people's doors.”
“Oh, teach me some manners, Harlan Sinclair,” I forced through the pain ripping at my heart. He was looking at me… like he didn't know me. Like my presence was a burden for him.
“What happened,” my voice broke, “why didn't you show up?”
“Leave, I don't want to call the guards on you,” Harlan's voice was indifferent as he turned around.
My limbs froze, my heart stuttering. Call the guards on me? Like… like I was some thief? “This isn't you,” my voice was strained as I gasped, “what has come over you?”
Harlan turned around sharply, “I realised we weren't compatible, Valeria. And my heart didn't want it. See?” He motioned at his attire.
“I planned for it despite how I felt but I just couldn't commit to something that big.”
I stood stunned. My tears rolled down as Harlan stepped forward, jaw clenched and grabbed the door, “bye, Valeria.”
I couldn't move. As the door slammed forward, Selena reached me and managed to push me off before the door could slam on my hands.
“Val!”
“He… he,” the sob hung in my throat as I gasped, “he just…”
I struggled to find the words when two guards reached us. “You have to leave,”
“No,” I cried and shook my head, “no… I still have to talk to him. It can't be. He loves me,” I took my fist to the door banging hard, “Harlan, come on… no… it can't be.”
“Take her away!” His sharp voice came from inside and before I knew it, strong hands enveloped my waist even as Selena protested. And as if I weighed nothing, I was carried out and with every step, my heart shattered in pieces.
He betrayed me. He abandoned me.
- Writer
