Chapter 3

• I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. Nathan’s cold words still rang in my ears. “No one you need to concern yourself with.”
• I let out a shaky breath, wiping the corner of my eye as tears threatened to fall.
• I shouldn’t let him get to me, but the way he dismissed me in front of that woman—Vanessa—cut deeper than I cared to admit.
• A sudden knock at the door startled me.
• I frowned, sitting up straight.
• Who could it be? Was it Nathan? Was he finally coming to explain himself?
• My heart raced as I hesitantly got up and walked toward the door.
• The moment I opened it, my stomach dropped.
• It wasn’t Nathan. Rather, It was Vanessa.
• She stood there with her arms crossed, a smug smirk plastered across her flawless face. Her piercing gaze bore into me, making me feel small and uncomfortable.
• She was damn intimidating.
• “Uh… is there a problem?” I asked cautiously, gripping the edge of the door as I stared at her.
• Vanessa didn’t answer. Without warning, she pushed past me, stepping into my room like she owned it.
• “Hey!” I exclaimed, spinning around. “You can’t just—”
• “Shut the door,” she said sharply, cutting me off like I’m some kid.
• Her tone sent a chill down my spine.
• I reluctantly closed the door, my hands trembling slightly.
• When I turned back, she was pacing the room, her eyes scanning every corner like she was inspecting it.
• “What are you doing?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady even though I was so scared.
• She stopped near the window, her back to me. “I’m trying to figure out,” she said slowly, “why someone like you is in my man’s house.”
• I froze, her words sinking in like a dagger. “Your man?”
• She let out a dry laugh, finally turning to face me. Her smile was gone, replaced by a glare so fierce it made me take a step back.
• “Yes,” she snapped, stepping closer. “My man. Nathan belongs to me, not you. So tell me—what are you doing here?”
• I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. What could I even say?
• When I didn’t answer, she rolled her eyes and took another step forward. “Oh, I get it. You think you’ve got a chance with him, don’t you? You think you can come into his life and… what? Steal him away from me?”
• “That’s not—”
• “Save it!” she barked, cutting me off again.
• Before I could react, she grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me against the wall.
• I gasped, my heart pounding in my chest. “What are you doing?” I whispered, struggling to free myself.
• Her face was inches from mine now, her eyes blazing with fury. “Listen to me carefully,” she hissed. “You will pack your things and leave this house. Do you hear me? I don’t care where you go, but you will not stay here. Nathan is mine, and I won’t let some… some nobody like you ruin what we have.”
• I gritted my teeth, pushing against her hands. “I’m not trying to ruin anything!” I shouted. “Let me go!”
• But she was stronger than I expected. Her grip tightened, and I could feel the cold rage radiating off her.
• “I’m warning you,” she said through clenched teeth. “If you don’t leave, I’ll make your life a living hell. Do you understand?”
• I tried again to break free, but it was no use. She had me pinned. “Let me go!” I yelled again.
• Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Someone was coming.
• Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward the door, and a wicked smile spread across her lips. In one swift motion, she spun us around, pressing her own back against the wall. To anyone looking in, it would seem like I was the one holding her against it.
• “What are you—”
• “Shh,” she whispered, cutting me off. And then, to my horror, she began to scream.
• “Help! Nathan, help me!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
• The door flew open, and Nathan stormed in. His cold gaze swept over the scene, taking in Vanessa’s trembling figure and my hands, which were still raised in an attempt to push her away.
• “What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his voice like ice.
• Vanessa whimpered, turning her head to look at him. “Nathan, thank God you’re here,” she said, her voice shaking.
• I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off.
• “She… she attacked me,” Vanessa continued, clutching her arm as if I had hurt her. “I was just trying to talk to her, and she… she shoved me into the wall.”
• “That’s not what happened!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “She—”
• Nathan didn’t let me finish. He stepped forward, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Vanessa.
• I stumbled, falling to the floor with a thud. Pain shot through my side, but I barely noticed it.
• “Nathan, I didn’t—”
• “Enough,” he snapped, glaring down at me. “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think you can just attack people in my house?”
• “She’s lying!” I cried, my voice desperate. “I didn’t—”
• “I don’t want to hear it,” he said coldly, helping Vanessa to her feet.
• Vanessa clung to him, burying her face in his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I was so scared.”
• Nathan’s expression softened as he looked down at her. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe now.”
• I stared up at them, my heart sinking. No matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me.
• Vanessa glanced over her shoulder, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.
• Nathan turned and led her out of the room, leaving me alone on the floor.
• I sat there for a long time, the weight of everything crashing down on me.
• This wasn’t just a nightmare.
• It was my reality.
• And I had no idea how I was going to survive it.