Page 115 of Wild Tangled Hearts

I remember that nagging voice in my head that had warned me not to trust him and cautioned me against falling too deeply. I wish I had heeded that voice. Perhaps then, I wouldn't be sitting here, nursing a broken heart and yearning for a love that may have been nothing more than a mirage.

I spend hours watching romantic comedies, losing myself in the antics of quirky heroines and dashing leading men. But as the chocolate wrappers pile up and my ice cream begins to melt, I feel no better than when I woke up this morning.

A sudden knock on my door startles me, causing my heart to race with fear, the remnants of the terrifying night before still fresh in my mind. But then, a rational thought dawns upon me – someone attempting to break in probably wouldn't knock first.

Still, my nerves are on edge as I cautiously approach the door. My emotions are a whirlwind of anticipation and trepidation. Could it be Damien, arriving at last to offer an explanation or an apology? Or perhaps it's another unexpected twist in this rollercoaster of emotions, a new development in the ongoing drama of my life.

With trembling hands, I reach for the knob, my heart pounding in my chest, but as I slowly open the door, there’s no one there, just a delivery truck that speeds away and a large bouquet that graces my patio. My heart leaps with hope. Could this be Damien’s way of reaching out and making amends?

I pick up the flowers with trembling hands and spot a small note nestled among the tulips and lilies. My fingers tremble as I open it, eager to read the words that could hold the key to my shattered heart.

Bella,

I hope these flowers bring a touch of brightness to your day. I’m just a phone call away if you ever need someone to talk to or a friend to lean on.

Take care,

Sebastian

As I read Sebastian’s heartfelt words, a wave of emotions washes over me. While his message is comforting and supportive, there's a bittersweet realization that the flowers aren't from Damien.

I place the bouquet on my table, the vibrant colors a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of heartbreak.

"I'll be fine," I whisper, though the words feel hollow and untrue. Deep down, I yearn to be wrapped up in Damien's strong arms, to have him by my side. But his leaving last night is a stark betrayal of what we shared. Now, I need to forget him to find a way to move forward. But before that can happen, I know there will be many more empty tubs of ice cream in my future.

And as the days and weeks pass by in a haze of unanswered calls and unspoken words, I wonder if I’ll ever get over the man. It feels like a relentless ache in my chest, and I can't help but replay the moments when he left me when he decided that protecting himself meant leaving me behind.

I grapple with my emotions during this angsty period, torn between wanting to cling to the memory of what Damien and I shared and wanting to move on from the pain he caused. My mind tells me that I should get back out there, that maybe it's time to let go. And there are moments when I consider ending my dating hiatus. But for now, I rely on the comforting embrace of ice cream and chocolate to soothe my emotions and desires.

Spoon in hand, I take the double mocha chocolate swirl ice cream out of the freezer and sit on the couch to indulge in my current after-school routine: Sugar and Netflix.

There’s a knock at the door, and I let out an irritated sigh at the interruption of my future chocolate-induced coma. I’ve stopped jumping out of my skin whenever I hear a loud sound. There’s been no other sign of the intruder, and Damien’s guard dogs aren’t parked outside my house. Even the bad guys got the memo that Damien and I are done.

There’s another knock, but I don't get up. Other than a package from Amazon Prime, I’m not expecting anyone.

Bang, bang, bang.This time, it’s louder, more forceful.

"Bella?" Damien's muffled voice penetrates the silence.

I sit there, momentarily paralyzed.

Eventually, I regain control of my body and cautiously move towards the door. With trepidation, I crack it open.

Damien leans against the doorframe, his appearance disheveled. His ice-blue eyes carry a mixture of regret and desperation, accentuated by noticeable dark circles beneath them.

"Can I come in?" he asks, his voice strained and vulnerable.

"I don't think that's a good idea," I reply, my heart shattering at the sight of him.

"Please, Bella. I need to talk to you, to explain..." He utters a curse under his breath, running his hands over his face with frustration. Then, he fixes his gaze on me with those eyes that could beckon me into darkness without my even realizing it. "Bella, please," he implores.

I stand there, the weight of his past actions bearing down on me. He broke my heart without a second thought and left me when I needed him the most. Can I trust him? Knowing he might hurt me again, can I let him back into my life? Or do I turn him away and try to find happiness with someone new?

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

LetDamienin and hear what he has to say. Turn to this page.

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