Chapter 2 – Abandon Again

• Anna
• I waited for two hours, but no one showed up. Just as I was beginning to think she had bailed, the door swung open.
• “Anna,” a familiar voice called my name.
• It doesn’t matter how long it’s been or how far apart we are—I could never forget that voice. The only person who stuck by me when everyone else turned their backs.
• The one and only, “Zack Vandal,” I said as he approached me.
• He still looked the same as he did a year ago—the same eyes, the same hair, the same style—but somehow, everything felt foreign now.
• “Stop,” I said, wanting to keep the distance between us.
• “Why do you sound so distant?” Zack asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
• I let out a soft, bitter chuckle. “You tell me.”
• “Tell you what?” he replied, frowning.
• He’s good—so good that I almost fell for it.
• “What were you doing while I was away?” I asked.
• “I waited for you. I missed you every day, Anna,” he said, inching forward for a hug.
• “Stop. Do not touch me,” I said sternly, holding up a hand to stop him.
• “Anna, are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?” he asked, concern etched in his voice.
• Playing dumb was never his forte—I could see right through him. Zack didn’t know this, but whenever he lies, he avoids eye contact and starts tapping his fingers on any nearby flat surface. It’s a subtle trait, one only someone close to him would notice.
• “What were you doing last Friday?” I asked.
• “I was working all day. Why? What did you see?” he lied, eyes darting toward the window.
• “Friday night, 10:03 p.m.—you and Darlene, at your apartment. Should I go on?” I said, watching the color drain from his face as his fingers began tapping even faster.
• “That’s not true,” he stammered, fumbling over his words. “I—I can explain.”
• “Fine. Tell me your side of the story,” I allowed.
• After all, he had never lied before. I was curious to hear what kind of excuse he'd come up with.
• “That... that was an accident. She drugged me. I wasn’t myself.”
• Classic. Where are you from—Bollywood?
• “She drugged you?” I scoffed, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. “Of all the lame excuses, that’s the one you went with?”
• I tilted my head, folding my arms.
• “Let’s say—for argument’s sake—that she actually did drug you. Where’s the evidence? The police report? The toxicology screening?”
• I glared at him, my voice calm but cutting.
• “You’re an attorney, Zack. You, of all people, know that drugging and rape are criminal offenses. So where’s the case file? The charges? Anything?”
• “That was—I… I was blackmailed,” he stammered, dragging what was left of his credibility through the mud.
• As an attorney, he never stuttered. Not in court. Not in life. But now?
• “Another pathetic excuse,” I said, laughing bitterly. “Sometimes I wonder how you even manage to represent your clients.”
• “After everything we’ve been through, you’re doubting me?” he challenged.
• I tilted my head, unimpressed. “Who do you think I am? Some idiots you’ve got wrapped around your finger? What a joke.”
• “Anna, I didn’t do it,” he pleaded, stepping forward, desperation written all over his face.
• “I saw you with Darlene—fucking like animals! What do you expect me to believe? That I saw it wrong? That you were playing a game of hide and seek?” I scoffed, my voice rising with every word. “Come on, Zack. I’m not a kid anymore.”
• “Anna, I…”
• While Zack struggled to find an excuse, the door burst open.
• Darla and Darlene walked in—high and mighty, like they owned the place. Mr. Hamburg was lying brain-dead in the ICU, yet here they were, looking elegant and proud. Not exactly the image of grieving family you’d expect.
• “Why don’t you just tell her the truth, Zack?” Darlene chimed in smugly.
• “Shut up!” Zack snapped, breaking the silence sharply.
• Darlene didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled—smug and satisfied.
• “I’m curious,” I cut in, stepping past Zack. “What is your truth, Darlene?”
• The young woman smiled and took her place right beside him, linking her arm with his and giving off the unmistakable vibe of a loving couple.
• “My truth is—I did drug him…” she said shamelessly.
• I turned to the man in question and saw hope flicker in his eyes. He didn’t lie to me, I thought.
• “On the first night,” Darlene finished.
• Just like that, my thoughts came crashing down.
• “Every time after that, he was the one who dragged me into the bedroom. Last Friday night? He invited me over for a drink—and you saw the rest.”
• The color drained from Zach’s face completely.
• “What do you have to say to that, Zack?” I asked.
• At this point, I was numb to betrayal. I’ve been betrayed all my life—this was nothing new.
• “That’s not true,” Zach said, still clinging to denial.
• “I have proof,” Darlene chimed in, too eagerly. “I know the pin to his door lock.
• I turned to Zach, locking eyes with him.
• “Darlene, what’s his PIN number?” I asked.
• “0805,” she replied instantly.
• Zack’s face drained of all color.
• “My birthday,” I said flatly. “Quite the delusion you’ve been living in, Zach.”
• I held his gazed, my voice cold.
• “Reality is—I’ve known you for a decade, and I don’t even know your PIN. I’ve never once set foot in your apartment. But within a year, Darlene has full access? A key, the code, the invitation?” I tilted my head slightly. “Need I say more?”
• “No… it can’t end like this. I love you, Anna,” Zach said desperately.
• “We’re done,” I replied, my voice solemn.
• “No…” Zach took my hand, but I refused to look at him.
• “Come here!” Darlene snapped, yanking Zach back like she owned him. “She doesn’t love you anymore. Why do you have to be so petty?”
• “Shut up!” Zack snapped. “This is your fault! Why couldn’t you just stay away!?”
• “I wanted to be by your side—because I love you!” Darlene shot back. “Why won’t you see that?”
• I stood frozen, heart pounding. This wasn’t love. It was desperation wearing a mask.
• “I hate women like you,” Zack hissed, then dropped to his knees in front of me.
• “Anna, please. She meant nothing. I love you.”
• The pain hit all at once—like a punch to the chest.
• “If you loved me,” I said, voice trembling, “you wouldn’t have cheated.”
• And that was the truth. Every word of it.
• These words were hard to say—but I needed a clean break. I’ve had enough betrayal to last a lifetime.
• Then something shifted.
• Zack chuckled.
• “If casual sex with Darlene is cheating, then what about you?” His voice was sharp, laced with mockery. “You expected me to sit around and wait while you ran off to screw someone else? Don’t act like the victim here—I had every right.”
• Just like that, the mask slipped. The desperation, the tears—gone. Replaced by bitterness and blame.
• “He’s right, Anna. A man has his needs,” Darlene added smugly, her voice like a knife. “You just couldn’t meet them.”
• I stared, stunned, but they are not done.
• “You know what?” Zack sneered. “I was wrong about you. You’re an even bigger whore than Darlene.”
• He grabbed her hand, holding it up like some twisted prize.
• “Meeting her while you were gone was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
• He looked me dead in the eye.
• “You want a breakup? Fine. We’re done,” Zack said—smug, unshaken, like he hadn’t just shattered a decade in a single breath.
• Then he turned to Darlene like I was already gone.
• “Now do you believe me?” she said softly, like the heroine who’d finally won the heart of her blind hero. A classic from every cheesy Chinese drama.
• “I do. I was wrong. I’m sorry,” Zack murmured.
• “I could never stay mad at you,” Darlene replied, and kissed him like I hadn’t just watched my ten-year relationship go up in flames.
• I thought I was done with him—but seeing him with another woman still hurt. Feelings that took a decade to build don’t just vanish overnight. But I won’t break. Once I make a decision, I never look back.
• I listened as they made plans for lunch. Zack stepped out, and Darlene leaned in close, whispering, “Didn’t I tell you? I’d take everything from you.” Her voice dripped with triumph. “Now I have it all.”
• I took a deep breath, letting the sting settle. Then, loud enough for the whole hallway to hear, I said, “thanks for picking up my trash. You really did me a favor.”
• “You—!” Darlene scowled. “How dare you!” she shrieked, throwing a full-blown tantrum.
• She looked ready to throw hands. Fine by me—I had nothing left to lose. If she wanted a fight, I was more than ready.
• “That’s enough!” Darla’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. “If you and Zack are going on a date, then go,” she said sharply to her daughter. “I have more important matters to discuss with Anna.”
• The charade ended there. Darlene shot me a glare before stepping out.
• “What did you wish to discuss?” Darla asked, her tone calm but distant.
• “Why isn’t Mr. Hamburg receiving the treatment he needs?” I got straight to the point.
• “Because we can’t afford it,” she replied flatly. “You probably wouldn’t know, since you’ve never been involved with the company—but it hasn’t been doing well these past few years. And now that he’s like this, I have to clean up the mess he left behind.”
• “What are you talking about? Last I checked…” I paused, pulling up the latest reports. “The stock and company are doing well.”
• “That’s just a rumor your father spread to mislead the competitors,” she explained. “The reality is—your father is a failure, and the company is at rock bottom.” She shook her head, clearly disappointed.
• “But don’t worry,” she added coldly. “He left a will, entrusting everything to me. The company’s problems won’t implicate you.”
• Then, without a hint of shame, she pushed my suitcase forward.
• “However, I can no longer afford to have you living with us. Here is your thing that I’ve packed for you. The rest had been thrown out,” Darla said dryly.
• “You’re kicking me out?” I asked in disbelief.
• “Precisely. You’ve been independent before—you should be able to scrape by,” she said with a casual shrug. “As for your father, I simply can’t afford the cost. I hope you understand… and I wish you the best in your future.”
• With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me and Mr. Hamburg behind.
• “Wait!” I called out.
• But, like always, she never looked back.
• Just like that… I was abandoned. Again.
• Though I should be used to it by now, I had never felt so cold in my life.