My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I stared at the screen. My throat tightened, my stomach clenched, and thick tears dripped down my temples as I typed in a response to his message.
I’m doing this for ME, I convinced myself. But even then, I wasn’t sure I believed my own damn statement.
Me:Do it. Make an official announcement.
Every second that went by after I hit send was like a knife in my chest. I kept looking at my words like they’d poisoned me. They might as well have, because I could hardly see straight, let alone breathe.
Shane:You sure?
I swallowed as I typed in a reply.
Me:Yes.
Shane:He’ll be devastated, Zaira. He’ll break completely.
I muffled a cry behind the sleeve of my hoodie so Sloane wouldn’t hear it.
Me:Just do it, Shane. Please.
Shane:You don’t have to get back to me yet. I said you could take your time.
Me:I did take my time, and this is my decision. You wanted to know, and I’ve told you.
Shane:And what about you, huh?
Me:What about me?
Shane:Will you be okay seeing him move on?
I knew what he was talking about. If I let Gallan go, he would end up finding someone who’d take up his world like he had mine.
Like I had his.
My jaw hurt with how hard I was trying to hold myself in. Everythinghurt. Sofuckingmuch.
Me:I’ll be fine.
Would I really?
Shane:Okay.
Me:Okay.
I quickly wiped my tears away in case someone came back, but the message Shane sent next – it brought fresh ones to the surface and almost blinded me with their force.
Shane:It’ll be done, then. Thanks for getting back to me about it. And even though I really wish things didn’t have to be this way, I also understand that you must’ve made the decision with certain factors in mind. Take care, kid, and God bless.
And with that, the only piece left of my battered heart disintegrated like it was nothing but an empty case of misplaced emotions.
