Chapter 19
The setting
sun stretched their three shadows across the
e stone terrace.[]
For a moment, nobody said shit
Kerian stood there watching Victoria instinctively shield Askhan, feeling like someone was literally tearing his heart in half.]
He opened his mouth, his voice completely destroyed: “Askhan… you know she’s my
“Everything. She’s my everything.“]
“We’ve been best friends since we were kids. How could you fucking do this to me?“]
“Sorry, man.”
Askhan wiped the blood from his lip, his expression unnervingly calm.
“But there’s something you probably don’t know. I’ve been in love with Vic just as long as you have.
“She’s… the only woman I’ll ever love too.”
Kerian’s eyes were bloodshot as he turned to Victoria: “Vic… don’t you love me anymore?”
“Love?” Askhan frowned, pulling a stack of photos from his pocket and spreading them out
“This is how you love her?”
Photos scattered across the ground-
Victoria standing alone outside city hall in the rain, soaked and crying.
Victoria in a hospital bed with her head bandaged up.
Victoria at her own birthday party, tears streaming down her face as Kerian put jewelry on Sophia…
“And this is just the tip of the iceberg.” Askhan’s voice was barely controlled rage.
“You have any clue how many nights she cried herself to sleep? How many sleeping pills she needed just to function?”
Kerian’s hands shook as he picked up the ph
photos, each one feeling like a knife to the chest.
He looked up at Victoria, but her expression was terrifyingly empty]
“Vic.” He reached for her, but she stepped away
“Kerian.” Victoria finally spoke, her voice barely a whisper.[
“You say you love me. Do you even remember how many times you abandoned me?
“Nine times. Nine fucking times.”
Victoria smiled, but her eyes were completely hollow.
dup nine u
times? Or just
just the girlfriend you kept throwing away for
“This woman you claim to love so much–am I the fiancée you stood up someone else?
“Do you even understand what love actually means?”
Those words hit him like a slap across the face.
Kerian stumbled backward, sharp pain shooting through his stomach.
But Victoria wasn’t done:]
“I don’t expect anything from you anymore. I just want you to leave me alone and let me live in peace.”
“Consider it the last thing you can do for what we used to have.”
That finally broke him completely.
Ferian’s knees gave out and he collapsed onto the gravel, blood seeping through his pants without him noticing
I’m sorry. Vic… I had no idea I was hurting you that badly.”
His voice was completely broken as he begged: “Just give me one more shot. I’ll spend my whole life making this right…”
Victoria looked down at him like he was a stranger
I el
“Why would I give you that chance?”]
“You know what? Askhan has never forgotten my birthday. Never left me alone when I was sick. Never let anyone treat me like garbage.”
“Why would I give up someone who actually loves me for you?“]
She turned and linked her arm through Askhan’s: “You think he stole me from you?”
“No. You pushed me away yourself.”
Kerian stared at their joined hands, suddenly remembering a snowy night years ago.
Victoria had been burning up with fever, no adults around, and he couldn’t drive or find a cab, so he’d carried her three miles to the hospital on his back.
She’d mumbled deliriously. “Kerian, will you always be this good to me?”
What had he said back then?
“Of course. You’re the only person I’ll ever care about this much.“]
But now…
Everything had changed.
fucked up…” Kerian was on his knees, tears hitting the gravel. “I know I fucked up… please…”
Victoria shook her head and pulled a gold–embossed invitation from her purse, placing it on the table:
“It’s too late now.”
“Askhan and I got married the day I arrived in London.”
“Our wedding is next month. If you want to come…
She didn’t finish, but the message was clear–this was his final courtes 7
Askhan gently put his arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the estate.
The sunset stretched their shadows long across the patio, like a perfect silhouette.]
Kerian knelt there staring at the gold lettering on the invitation-
Groom: Asklan Lavirins.
Bride: Victoria Wenmir.]
Every letter felt like a blade slowly cutting him apart.
Kerian curled up on the ground, sobbing like his world had just ended.
Because it had
