<Finding Forever After the Betrayal) Chapter 3
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I met their worried gazes with a calmness I didn’t feel.“They’re just photos,” I
said, my voice steady. “We can always take more.”
Aiden visibly relaxed, latching onto my words like a lifeline. “Right, we can
take more. In fact,” he turned to Ethan, a hopeful gleam in his eyes, “we haven’t
been on a trip in ages. We should go somewhere, the three of us.”
“And Hannah!” Ethan chimed in, his earlier distress fading. “She’s always
wanted to travel.”
Hannah. Always Hannah.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips, but Aiden and Ethan, oblivious to the real
meaning behind my words, simply looked relieved. Before they could delve
further into their travel plans, their eyes fell on the array of suitcases stacked by
the door, a stark contrast to the cozy familiarity of our shared living space.
“What’s all this?” they asked in unison, their voices tight with a new kind of
anxiety.
“I quit my job,” I said casually, meeting their surprised gazes.“Figured it was
time for a change.”
The silence stretched, thick with unspoken questions. I knew they were both
wondering why I hadn’t told them, why I was suddenly making such drastic
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changes, why I seemed so… distant.
Mano
Before either of them could voice their concerns, Ethan’s phone began to
ring. It was Hannah.
“Aiden,” her voice, high–pitched and breathless, crackled through the
speaker.“The power went out at my apartment, and I… I’m scared. What should I
do?”
Ethan’s eyes widened in alarm, and he snatched the phone from Aiden’s
hand before he could even respond.“Don’t worry, Hannah! I’m on my way!
Aiden, his brow creased with worry, was already halfway out the door, car
keys in hand. “We’ll be right there,” he said, more to Hannah than to me.
I watched them go, their worry for another girl a tangible weight in the air.
They didn’t even say goodbye.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I reached for my phone and dialed my
aunt
s number. She was the one I’d lived with when I was younger, the one who’d
treated me like a daughter when my own parents had been forced to leave me
behind. She deserved to know I was leaving, even if it was with such short notice
“You’re what?” She sounded more surprised than upset. “Violet, have you told
Aiden and Ethan about the marriage?”
“No,” I said quietly. “And I’d prefer if it stayed that way. I don’t want any
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more drama.”
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There was a sigh on the other end of the line.“Oh, Violet,” she said, her voice
heavy with disappointment. “I always thought… well, we all did. You were
inseparable, those three. I thought for sure you’d end up marrying one of them.”
“It’s for the best,” I said, forcing a cheerful tone I didn’t feel. “We weren’t
right for each other.”
My aunt didn’t push it, but I could hear the sadness in her voice.“Well,” she
said, her tone softening. “I suppose I always knew this day would come. But I
didn’t think it would be so soon. You have to come say goodbye before you go,
Violet. You’re like a daughter to me.”
“Of course, Auntie,” I said, my voice cracking slightly.“I’ll come see you soon.
I have some gifts for you.”
We chatted for a few more minutes, exchanging empty promises to stay in
touch, and then I hung up. I’d barely set the phone down when it started ringing
again.
It was my director. “Violet,” he said, his voice surprisingly
cheerful. “Remember that design competition you entered before you left? You
won! The trophy just arrived, and I had your intern drop it off at your place.”
The doorbell rang.
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I walked over to the door, my heart pounding with a strange mix of dread
and anticipation.
And there she was, standing on my doorstep, holding my award like it was a
peace offering. Hannah.
