Chapter 4

• Maya woke up with a start, blinking against the soft morning light streaming through the unfamiliar room. She lay still for a moment, feeling the warm blanket against her skin, only to realize that she was wrapped in it, completely naked. Her heart pounded as the memories of last night came flooding back—Luke and Claire, the betrayal, the club, and then… Jack. The night had felt like a blur, a desperate attempt to escape the pain.
• She sat up slowly, her mind spinning. She had slept with a stranger. She couldn’t believe it. She barely knew Jack, yet here she was, in a strange bed, wrapped in a stranger’s blanket, and feeling a mixture of confusion, guilt, and shame.
• Maya looked around the room. It was empty, and Jack was nowhere to be seen. A pang of disappointment mixed with anger rose within her. He hadn’t even waited for her to wake up. She thought about how kind he had been, how he had seemed to understand her pain. And yet, he was gone, leaving her to face the awkwardness alone. Maybe, she thought bitterly, he was just like everyone else.
• She took a deep breath, pushing the emotions aside. There was no point in staying here and feeling sorry for herself. She spotted her clothes neatly folded on a nearby chair. Gathering her strength, she got dressed, her movements quick and quiet. As she slipped on her shoes, she took one last look around the room, feeling a strange sense of emptiness.
• With a final sigh, Maya left the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She walked down the stairs of the small building, stepping outside into the bright morning sunlight. She squinted, the warmth of the day contrasting with the coldness she felt inside. Hailing a cab, she gave the driver her friend Jane’s address.
• As the cab pulled away, Maya leaned back, trying to make sense of her emotions. She felt a strange mixture of shame, anger, and sadness. She hadn’t planned on spending the night with Jack; it had just happened, a response to the heartbreak and betrayal she had felt. But the way he had left… it hurt more than she wanted to admit.
• When the cab finally stopped outside Jane’s place, Maya paid the driver and stepped out, taking a deep breath. Jane was her oldest friend, the one person who had always been there for her. She needed to talk, to share her pain with someone who would understand.
• She knocked on the door, and Jane opened it, her face breaking into a smile. But as she took in Maya’s disheveled appearance, her expression shifted to concern.
• “Maya! Are you okay?” Jane pulled her inside, her eyes searching Maya’s face.
• Maya managed a small smile, though her heart felt heavy. “I… I just needed to see you.”
• Jane led her to the couch, sitting beside her and studying her closely. “Luke and Claire have been calling me all morning, asking if I’ve seen you. What’s going on, Maya?”
• At the mention of their names, Maya’s eyes filled with tears. She took a shaky breath, trying to hold them back. “Jane… I caught them. Together. Last night.”
• Jane’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth dropping open. “No. Luke and Claire? Are you serious?”
• Maya nodded, feeling the familiar ache return to her chest. “I went to surprise him for his birthday, and… and I found them together in his bed.”
• “Oh, Maya.” Jane pulled her into a hug, her arms warm and comforting. “I’m so, so sorry. I can’t believe they would do something like that. Claire of all people! She was supposed to be your best friend!”
• Maya buried her face in Jane’s shoulder, finally allowing herself to cry. The pain, the anger, the betrayal—it all came rushing back as she clung to her friend, letting the tears fall freely. Jane held her, rubbing her back and whispering comforting words, staying with her as the emotions poured out.
• When Maya finally pulled away, her face streaked with tears, Jane handed her a tissue, her expression soft with understanding.
• “Thanks, Jane,” Maya whispered, wiping her face. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
• “You don’t have to thank me,” Jane replied gently. “You deserve so much better, Maya. They’re both horrible people for doing this to you.”
• Maya nodded, feeling a flicker of resolve. “I know. I just… I can’t believe it happened. I thought I meant something to him.”
• “You did,” Jane said firmly. “But sometimes, people don’t know how to appreciate what they have until it’s gone. And honestly, you’re better off without someone who could hurt you like that.”
• Maya took a deep breath, feeling a bit stronger. “You’re right. I deserve better than this.”
• Jane’s face softened, and she reached out, squeezing Maya’s hand. “You do. You deserve someone who will love and respect you.”
• After a moment, Jane’s expression shifted, a playful glint appearing in her eyes. “So… where were you coming from this morning?”
• Maya felt her cheeks flush, and she looked away, not sure how to answer.
• “Oh?” Jane’s eyebrows shot up, her grin widening. “There’s more to this story, isn’t there?”
• Maya sighed, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and relief. “After I left Luke’s place, I went to a club. I just wanted to forget everything, to let go.”
• Jane nodded, listening intently.
• “And… I met someone. This guy named Jack.”
• Jane’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Jack? Tell me more.”
• Maya hesitated, feeling a slight pang of guilt. “We… we ended up spending the night together. I didn’t plan it; it just happened. I was feeling so hurt, so angry, and he was… he was there.”
• Jane’s grin softened into a sympathetic smile. “There’s no shame in that, Maya. You were hurting, and you needed someone to be there for you. Did he treat you well?”
• Maya nodded, thinking back to Jack’s kindness, the way he had listened to her, danced with her, made her feel alive again. But then she remembered how he had left without saying goodbye, and her expression darkened.
• “He was… he was wonderful last night. But when I woke up this morning, he was gone. No note, nothing. I don’t know what I was expecting, but… it hurt.”
• Jane’s face fell, her voice turning soft. “Oh, Maya. I’m sorry. That must have felt terrible.”
• “It did,” Maya admitted, feeling the familiar ache return. “I thought he was different. He seemed to care, but maybe I was just reading into things.”
• “Maybe he was just trying to give you space,” Jane suggested gently. “Or maybe he thought you didn’t want anything more. Men can be clueless like that sometimes.”
• Maya gave a small, sad smile. “Maybe. I guess it doesn’t matter now.”
• Jane reached out, squeezing her hand. “Whatever happens, you’ll get through this. You’re strong, Maya. And I’ll be here every step of the way.”
• Maya felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. “Thank you, Jane. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
• Jane smiled, wrapping her arm around Maya’s shoulders. “Anytime. Now, let’s get you some coffee and talk about all the wonderful things you have ahead of you. Because I know you’re going to find happiness, with or without a guy.”
• Maya nodded, a sense of calm settling over her. She had been through heartbreak, betrayal, and the pain of a broken friendship. But she wasn’t alone. She had Jane, and she had herself. And somehow, she knew she would be okay.
• As they sat together, sipping coffee and talking about anything and everything, Maya felt the weight of the past lifting, replaced by the quiet hope of a new beginning.