The Love That Wasn't

ccidentally hitting the f

latter crashed

. Cameron furrowed his brow and rolled up his sleeves

his is how things are, then there's no

t him before turnin

closure. But it shouldn

eve Cameron cou

from the internet. But another hashtag, "#Dayna Barto

rk. After all, the situation implicated him,

d immediately called my elder sister Sonya u

standing laugh came

. There's no way you or Shane would betray me. I d

or were right there on the tip of my tongue

trusted Shane implicitly. If I told her what

ith Shane's company in the first place. If sh

and nodded, even thoug

trust me. The party's sta

ure. Shane told me he's going to introduce you to some influentia

d as the call e

ut this didn'

from the other side of the venue, standing

tion was cr

s, I let a cold smir

rly dragge

ar, the talented Ms. Dayna Barton. She can

extending his hand to me, a s

d you care to joi

excitement. The implication wa

t be happy, but

y wine glass, and poured it o

but I'

ly as he angrily wiped his han

over, laughing nervously as he

ounge, he let go of m

ger in my face

as willing to give you a chance, and you thr

hand away with

me? How many times have you thr

nding my ground. "Blacklis

fter that scam when Cameron and I sta

y to my texts. So, I'd resort to using

intentionally stand me up-maybe he

my announcement, Cameron appeared at the PA

ile, he walked over an

barrassing me never fail t

ed awkwardly. "But I couldn't f

he bags int

Didn't you say on social medi

art s

elieved I was getting c

ke a bubble burst

n the spotlight, no matter how much mud I had to wade t

getting married, it a

to lose everything anymore?" Shane

cold wariness cre

I'm l

vice. He lunged toward me, his intentions

ng of malice. "I'll snap a few photos of you right now. If you ever defy

d heel at his groin. But Shane anticipated th

at him. "You lay one finger

his fingers loosening his tie as he lo

She's the one who introduced you to me. If I hadn't been i

ster already knows I treat you like this. She doesn't care-why

in disbelief as an icy

my fingers grasping the smooth curve of a vase.

sted

ead, snarling through gritted teeth. "Bitch! You're

the face so hard that he blacked out. "Yo

.

t few days recoveri

d that I come and apologize. When

hone with calls an

s not that big a deal-just swallow your pride so we can all save face. Dayna, I'm stuck in the middle here! Even if you've made money for the company,

essages for what

ng my darkest times. She ha

familiar suddenly f

h a calm but steady hand, I blocked her num

he premiere event for

rina Wheeler was already waiting downstairs. Her v

ntire plaza and filled it with flowers to wish us succe

tell me this is just business, h

e about my college h

't overthink it. At best, it was an attempt that never

movers bustling around across the hall. I

arge cabinet being carried through the hallway. My phone slipped

ong arm wrapped around my waist, spi

t a firm chest, and I l

oment,

head lightly and s

ewildered. "You-what

asual but decisive. "I'm moving in this b

f course, I h

their adorable child living across the hall. One day, the child woul

ply, "That's Dayna, a clas

scalp prickle, my chest ti

rd, I took tw

l. I'll go. Clearly, I'm t

rn away, Cameron

kly let go, his expression softening with regret. He sighed, his lip

you refusing

hould? You left without a word, without a goodbye, just disa

ameron, you made me feel like these eight years o