Page 114 of Wild Tangled Hearts

"Sorry," I say with an apologetic smile. "I have to get to class."

Alex nods understandingly. "Of course, duty calls. We'll catch up later. Don't be a stranger, Bella."

With a nod and a fleeting smile, I hurry to my next class, leaving the promise of a future conversation in the air.

The last thing I can think about right now is having coffee with Alex. I’m not denying there’s a spark there because there definitely is, but it will take some time for me to heal the shattered bits of my heart. Letting go seems like an impossible task at this moment.

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 Damien. It feels like a relentless ache in my chest, and I can't help but replay the moments 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.

It’s Over! Shut the door on him, let your heart heal, and see where a romance withAlexcould lead. Turn to this page.

Chapter50

Damien

FEEL ALL THE FEELS! SKIP WORK AND EAT ICE CREAM!

Today, I need a break from the world, a chance to indulge in sugar therapy. So, with a deep breath, I reach for my phone and dial the school's number. I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for calling in sick when I'm not physically unwell. But I know that sometimes, caring for your heart is just as important.

With the day off, I embark on my ultimate healing plan: chocolate, ice cream, and Netflix. I raid my secret stash of chocolates and select a few pints of my favorite ice cream flavors. Then, I transform my living room into a cozy nest of blankets and pillows.

As I nestle in with a tub of double chocolate fudge ice cream and a plate full of chocolate truffles, I can't help but wonder whether Damien is wrestling with his feelings just like I am. Did he lie awake all night, thinking about us? Or has he moved on effortlessly, leaving me to drown in this sea of emotions?

A pang of doubt gnaws at me. Perhaps it really was a game to him, and me just another conquest in a long line of women. If he genuinely cared the way I thought he did, he wouldn't have abandoned me at one of my most vulnerable moments. Sure, his team was here before the sun was in the sky, setting up the new security system, and there's that ever-watchful black SUV parked on my street, manned by one of Damien's security personnel. But he’d be here with me if his feelings ran as deep as I had believed.

My fingers hover over my phone screen, the urge to call him nearly overwhelming. But I muster all my strength and toss it across the room as if casting away the last remnants of hope. Wiping away the foolish tears that escape, I remind myself sternly, "He's just a dumb boy."

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