But it’s just Discord. A notification from the game dev channel. Someone else reviewing my game. Calling it brilliant.
I throw the phone into the passenger seat and finally lose it. Sobbing like I haven’t since the night I found out about Paige. Ugly, body-shaking sobs that feel like they’re tearing me apart.
Because I know the truth that I couldn’t admit in there.
Piper’s nothing like Paige.
Paige lied because she didn’t care.
Piper lied because she cared too much.
And I just destroyed her for it.
29
PIPER
Isit in my bed for twenty minutes after he leaves, completely numb.
No wonder Miles chose Harper.
You’re worse than Paige.
You’re so broken you’ll sabotage anything good.
He’s right. He’s completely right. I had something beautiful and I ruined it because I was too scared to trust him with the truth.
My phone buzzes. Riya texting to ask how my morning is going.
I can’t respond. Can’t move. Can barely breathe.
I’m not enough. I’ll never be enough.
The words echo in my head, confirming every fear I’ve ever had. Miles saw it. Now Ethan sees it too. There’s something fundamentally wrong with me that makes me unlovable. Unchosen.
I curl into myself, pulling my knees to my chest. His scent is still on my sheets. His plant is still in my living room. Evidence of something beautiful that I destroyed with my cowardice.
The tears come again, harder this time. Not pretty crying but ugly, chest-heaving sobs that feel like they’re cracking me open.
Because the worst part is, he didn’t say anything I haven’t already thought about myself.
I’m broken.
I sabotage good things.
I’m not enough.
Ten days.
That’s how long it’s been since Ethan walked out of my apartment. Since he compared me to his cheating ex and confirmed every fear I’ve ever had about myself. Since my world imploded over a game review I wrote before I even knew him.
Ten days of silence so loud it hurts.
No wonder Miles chose Harper.
The words play on repeat in my head, especially at night when I can’t sleep. Because Ethan saw it too—whatever fundamental flaw makes me unlovable. First Miles, now Ethan. Different men, same conclusion.
I’m not worth choosing.
