| Body |
After three years of dating Nathan Foster, I thought I knew where we were headed. But he never proposed. Instead, he fell in love at first sight with my stepsister.
His pursuit of her was bold and relentless, leaving no room for doubt. This time, I didn’t break down or wait around, hoping he’d return like before. I made a clean break.
I threw away every gift he had given me, shredded the wedding dress I once secretly bought, and on his birthday, I left Riverdale behind.
Just as I was about to board my flight, Nathan messaged me:
“Where are you? Everyone’s waiting for you.”
I smiled, didn’t bother replying, and blocked him on every channel. He had no idea that, two weeks earlier, I had accepted the proposal of my college senior, Eustace Cooper.
When the plane landed in my new city, Eustace and I were ready to begin a new chapter of our lives together—as husband and wife.
…
"Eustace, I’ve made up my mind," I said, standing in front of the mirror, staring at the pale and fragile reflection of myself.
So, making an important decision in life wasn’t as difficult as I once thought.
"Roxanne... will you accept my proposal?" Eustace’s deep voice came from the other end of the phone.
A faint ache rose in my chest. As tears welled up in my eyes, I nodded lightly. "I will."
"Roxanne, did you know? I’ve been waiting for this day since college."
Somehow, the reflection in the mirror now carried a soft smile at the corners of its lips.
"Give me half a month. I’ll settle everything here."
"Alright, Roxanne. I’ll be waiting."
Just as the call ended, my bedroom door was suddenly pushed open from the outside with force.
"Roxanne," my father began, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Your sister hasn’t been feeling well lately. Since your room gets more sunlight, why don’t you let her stay there for a few days?"
I didn’t respond, letting my gaze settle on my stepmother and stepsister, Sophia Williams, standing behind him.
My stepmother quickly chimed in, "Oh, Charles, there’s no need to trouble Roxanne over this."
Sophia looked pitiful as she added, "It’s fine, Dad. I don’t mind at all. I don’t want to upset my sister because of me."
"What’s the trouble? You’re my daughter too," my father said, then turned to me with a stern expression. "Roxanne, you’re her older sister. You should be more understanding."
I stared blankly at my father.
I thought I’d feel heartbroken, that I’d cry over how my own father seemed to care more for a stepdaughter who wasn’t even his own flesh and blood than for me.
But not a single tear fell.
Instead, I smiled and nodded at them.
"Sure, I’ll switch rooms with her."
In just half a month, I would be leaving this place forever.
So, it didn’t matter anymore which room I stayed in.
Chapter 2
My father looked pleased with how understanding I was, while my stepmother wore a satisfied smile.
After they left, Sophia stayed behind.
"Roxanne, let me help you pack," she said sweetly, standing in front of me with an obedient demeanor. Yet, as her gaze swept around the room, a hint of undisguised triumph flickered in her eyes.
"I didn’t think Dad would actually agree to us switching rooms," she added. "Roxanne, are you mad at me?"
She paused for effect, then continued with a sly smile. "After all, I just took Nathan, and now I’ve taken the room you’ve lived in for ten years."
I didn’t respond. Turning away, I went to grab my suitcase.
Suddenly, Sophia let out a dramatic "Ouch!" and collapsed onto the floor, clutching her arm.
"Roxanne..." she whimpered.
Her arm had struck the corner of the desk, leaving a dark bruise spreading across her pale skin.
"Roxanne, what are you doing?"
Nathan Foster had appeared at some point, now standing at the doorway. He stepped inside with a stern expression, just in time to see Sophia on the floor.
He rushed over with a frown and carefully scooped her into his arms.
"I’m fine, Nathan," Sophia said tearfully, forcing a fragile smile even as her tears kept falling. "Roxanne didn’t mean to do it."
"You’re already bruised, and you still say it doesn’t hurt," Nathan said, his gaze fixed on the dark mark marring her arm. His eyes were filled with worry.
But when Nathan turned to look at me, his gaze turned icy cold, like frost sweeping through the room.
"Roxanne Evans, if you’ve got an issue, take it out on me," he snapped, his voice sharp and cold. "Leave Sophia alone. She’s been through enough already."
"Unlike you," he continued, his words dripping with disdain, "born into wealth and privilege, never knowing a day of hardship."
I thought my emotions wouldn’t be swayed by him anymore. I thought I’d never shed another tear for Nathan.
But in the end, I was just an ordinary girl. I wasn’t made of steel, and my heart wasn’t unbreakable.
This was the boy I grew up with, my childhood friend. The man I’d been in love with for three years.
And in just a few days, he’d fallen for someone younger, someone gentler, and now he looked at me like I was some venomous monster.
I didn’t want to cry. I even wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. But the ache in my chest spread to my tear glands, and they burned with the threat of tears.
"Nathan Foster," I said, my voice steady but strained, "we’ve known each other for so many years. Do you really not know the kind of person I am?"
Nathan frowned slightly, his expression shifting. His gaze lingered on my face, and for a moment, something in his cold demeanor seemed to soften.
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