They Left Me, He Claimed My Heart

L BURG

ast vestiges of my old life walking awa

the few belongings I had chosen

ing figure silhouetted against the pre-dawn sky. Hi

was a stark contrast to the cold emptiness inside me. He then pressed a heavy, bulging pouch into

f lights that was our city, my former home. My eyes, once bri

omised, the words m

off," he muttered, running a hand through his hair, his eyes narrowed in thou

scattered mess. He remembered my listless eyes, my pale face. A wave of regret, cold and shar

hung heavy

l one, broke it. "Perhaps

ther! I had to be the villain, the one who said all those awful things to her!" He paced back and forth, then stopped abruptly, staring at his hands. The h

ly constructed plan, the noble intention to teach me a lesson, felt twisted and cruel. T

hosen for the arranged marriage? What if she ends up with the Mcintoshes?

ould never let her go to that place." His words were meant to be reassuring, but there wa

nguish. "I'm done with this charade. We're going back. This ends now." He looked at Gar

k. A silent agreement passed betwe