Chapter 3
Sitting in Leo’s family home with my parents, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different this time.
Every visit before had been filled with laughter, playful teasing, and whispered secrets. Just last time, we had used a game as an excuse to sneak off to his bedroom, where we kissed, breathless and eager, as if the world belonged only to us.
But today…
“Oh, Melanie, you wouldn’t believe how much effort Leo put into winning over this girl, Layla.“[]
“Why couldn’t he just ask her out like a normal guy? No, he insisted that he’d only date her if marriage was on the table. He even had his father pull some strings just so she could meet the family today–as a potential fiancée.“[]
I stared at the house, now decorated with such deliberate care. Roses filled the room in grand, fragrant arrangements. The dining table was lined with fresh fruit, sweets, and tea. Even Leo’s dog had been dressed in a bright red sweater, as if to mark the occasion.]]
And there he was, standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his appearance for the hundredth time, making sure everything was perfect.[]
It was almost laughable.
Just last night, he had been in my bed, his hands tangled in my hair, his lips worshipping the red birthmark on my waist.[]
And now?
Now he was standing there, wearing the underwear I had bought for him, primping himself for someone else.[]
“What a shame…” Aunt Linda sighed, squeezing my mother’s hand.[]
“We used to joke that these two would end up together, even made a childhood promise for them! Remember, we always said they’d be perfect for each other?“]
She glanced at me, her eyes warm, affectionate.[]
“Chloe is such a wonderful girl–beautiful, smart, and so full of life…”
I lowered my gaze, biting the inside of my cheek.[]
If I met her eyes, if I let my guard down for even a second, I knew the tears would come.
“Mom!” Leo’s voice was sharp, i
irritated.
His brows furrowed as he turned to Aunt Linda, his tone laced with impatience.
“You keep bringing up things from the past–things that don’t matter. You and Mrs. Melanie get along so well, why don’t you two get married instead? What does that have to do with me?“]]
His words cut through the air like a slap.[]
No regard for the elders in the room, no consideration for the weight of what had just been said.[]
e.]
Then, as if suddenly remembering my presence, he turned to me.
Cold. Detached.]
As if Aunt Linda’s words had been something I had orchestrated.[]
“Chloe. Where’s the necklace I gave you?”
I stiffened.
Leo took a step forward, his voice unnervingly casual.[]
“You know, the pendant–the one I gave you for your birthday when we were seventeen? The one with my initials on it. Layla might feel uncomfortable if she finds out you still have it.“]
3AM Betowa) Mih The Natibor
Chapter 3
The room fell into a suffocating silence.]
Uncle Sullivan and my father, who had been sipping their tea, suddenly froze.]]
My mother, who had been arranging flowers for the table, stilled.]
And then–clatter.]
The vase and scissors slipped from her hands, crashing onto the wooden surface.
She moved to stand, her expression darkening, but Aunt Linda was faster.]
She shot up, stepping between me and Leo, shoving him back with a force that stunned everyone.[]
“Leo! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!“]]
Her voice was sharp, furious.[]
“Forget that you and Layla don’t even haye an official relationship yet–that necklace was something you begged Chloe to wear when you were seventeen!“]]
Leo’s expression flickered.[]
The memories came flooding back.]
Back then, another guy had confessed to me.[]
Leo had panicked, downed half a bottle of whiskey, and disappeared for hours.
That night, he had shown up at my window, drunk and desperate, holding a small velvet box in his hands.[]
He had clasped the delicate silver chain around my neck, his fingers trembling.
“Promise me you’ll always wear it.” His voice had been raw, almost pleading. “No matter what happens, I want you to have a part of me with you.“]
As if it meant something.
As if I had meant something.]]
Now, standing in the middle of the room, he loosened his tie and let out a slow, measured breath before forcing a smile.
“I got ahead of myself. I… shouldn’t have reacted like that.“[]
His gaze softened, almost indulgent, as if this were nothing more than a silly misunderstanding.
“It doesn’t matter. Whatever I give someone, I don’t take back. You can keep it.“[]
I let out a quiet laugh.
“It’s fine,” I interrupted, my voice calm, emotionless.
“I’ll return it. I’ll go home and
get it now.”
w.”
No one spoke.
Before anyone could protest, I grabbed my bag and walked out the door without looking back
