Uncharted Hearts: From Casual To Forever

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ng, and the occasional burst of laughter. I was seated at a table with two other girls

girl with an air of confidence, framed by perfectly styled hair and vibrant make

slithered across the room, and heads turned in unison, eyes fixated on the unfolding dram

"ARIA CARTER?" A ripple of curio

table muttered, "Isn't that Ruby Hayes?" The mere mention of the name set off a chain reaction - s

unfolding scene. Flashbulbs flickered, creat

hat's happening?" circulated, he

th my boyfriend was prettier than I was,

ggled to comprehend the unexpected revelation. The onlookers, their curiosity no

think they can climb the social ladder by cosying up to rich boys. Well, not with my

eria buzzed with hushed conversations, and the realization that people were filming t

o the hell is your boyfriend? And poverty-stricken? Girl, do you even know who you're talking to?" I fired back,

or someone of your calibre? I don't think so. I don't give a fuck w

she made a dramatic exit. As she strode away, leaving me in my wake, the lingering

nswered call intensified the knot in my stomach. What if she was his girlfriend? I thought

to Lucas's place, a location I hadn't visited in this academic session due to his seemingly perpet

e, Lucas's supposed girlfriend stood before me, her wet hair clung to her shoulders, and an oversized shirt screamed f

a fusion of defiance and subtle triumph shining through. The shirt, an emb

against the door frame. A whirlwind of emotions engulfed me - disbelief, hurt, and simmering anger. Her w

g low on his hips, revealing a toned chest adorned with glistening beads of sweat. Surprise flicke

" His voice, once comforting, now

er fingers tracing circles on his b

d her off with a dismissive air, leaving Ruby to pout and retr

through the tense air, each word laden with the weight of betrayal

s retorted casually, his indifference acting as salt on the open w

onship hit harder than the public hum

s all over the school forum, hashtag the man snatcher, and you say she's okay with it?" Frustration spilt from my lips

sions of a special connection. I berated myself for the delusion, for believing I held a u

was the one who fell in love in

empting to touch me. My recoiling form spoke volumes, a

e doing, let's just end it all," I declared,

, I swear," he pleaded, de

us started dating, we would take a break. Every time I dated, we to

sound like we are

. So there's only one answer to this: a family arrangement you can't escape from. The last thing I want is to be your mistress." I pointed out, the wei

ment, once clear, now lay in tatters. The pain of rejection and betrayal enveloped me, questioning the choices that led me to this heart-w

♡

years

smile playing on my lips. The clouds painted an ever-shifting canvas, and the anticipatio

luggage, and weaving through the bustling terminal. As I stepped into the arrival hall, my eyes scanned the crowd of people w

owards my little sister. Ivy turned, a grin lighting up her face

oming back and permanently for that matter," Ivy exclaimed, breaking the embrac

in the headquarters, and you shouldn't be far from your own ho

e filled with genuine warmth, squee

st week," I teased as Ivy led me to her new car waiting in the parking area.

yebrows, impressed. "Is this the car mom got you for your birthda

?" Ivy laughed, and I co

space, and as the city skyline unfolded be

h our father, possibly due to some issues in her marriage. Ivy's

and it appeared that the reality of their union didn't align with the dreams she had envisioned. Th

uby's face on a billboard – an ad for a perfume brand. A surge of mix

in in the sam

ht of those words settling

e impact of being near him. The emotions that had been dormant for three years stirred within me, a mixture of

ss off all those years

subtle change in my deme

memories resurfa

that should