Blurb：
Childhood sweethearts Thor Bentley and the narrator seemed destined for forever—until transfer student Lina Prescott arrived. What started as innocent tutoring sessions soon crossed all boundaries: Thor bringing Lina breakfast, driving her along the coast, even flying in Italian steak. The narrator’s threats to break up were initially met with desperate pleas from Thor Bentley, kneeling in the rain. But with each reconciliation, Thor’s sincerity faded. When Lina Prescott’s presence became undeniable, the narrator finally gave up on Thor Bentley. This emotional love triangle explores how childhood promises shatter when a bold new girl enters the picture. Will Thor Bentley choose his destined partner or the captivating Lina Prescott?
Content：
Thor and I grew up togetherwe were the definition of childhood sweethearts. We’d promised to attend the same university, graduate, and marry right after senior year.
Everyone envied us. They said we were a perfect match, destined for a lifetime together. And I believed that too. I truly thought I’d spend the rest of my life with him.
Until the final semester of our senior year in high school, when a new transfer student named Lina joined our class.
At first, the two barely spoke. But as they grew familiar, their bond deepened in ways I could no longer ignore.
He started staying after school to tutor her, bringing her breakfast every morning. When she was upset, he’d take her for a drive along the coast. If she craved Italian steak, he’d have fresh cuts flown in. Even during her period, he’d quietly prepare everything she needed.
I was furious. I confronted him, argued with him, and even threatened to break up.
The first time I said it, he thought I was joking and coaxed me out of my anger. The second time, he dismissed it as another tantrum and tried different ways to please me. The third time, he broke downstanding outside my house in the pouring rain all night, half kneeling before me, begging for forgiveness.
Again and again, I tried to leave, and every time, he refused to let me go. Yet with each reconciliation, something in him shifted. He started taking me for granted, assuming I would always come back.
His patience wore thin. His apologies turned perfunctory. Even when he came to make peace, there was no sincerity left in his voice.
So I said it for the hundredth time, and that was the last. That was the moment I finally gave up on him.
Chapter 1
Thor Bentley and I grew up togetherwe were true childhood sweethearts.
We were neighbors from the day we were born. We attended the same schools from kindergarten to high school, and we were always in the same class.
At sixteen, we confessed our feelings for each other.
At eighteen, during our coming-of-age ceremony, our families made it official with an engagement.
We’d promised to enter the same university, graduate together, and marry right after senior year.
Everyone envied us. They said we were a perfect matchmeant for each other in this life and the next. And I believed that too. I thought I would grow old by his side, until the final semester of our senior year in high school, when a new transfer student named Lina Prescott joined our class.
Lina was strikingly beautiful and bold, her arrival turning heads the moment she stepped through the door. Even the teachers adored her.
When the seating was arranged, our homeroom teacher paired her with Thor, saying her grades were poor and she needed his help.
Thor, cold and aloof by nature, wasn’t interested in tutoring anyone. But the teacher pressed him with guilt, saying, “You’re part of the class committee. It’s your duty to help a struggling classmate.”
He had no choice but to agree.
At first, they barely spoke. But as time passed, their closeness grewtoo close.
He began staying after school to tutor her, bringing her breakfast every morning. When she was upset, he’d take her for drives along the coast. If she wanted Italian steak, he’d have fresh cuts flown in. Even during her period, he’d prepare everything she needed without being asked.
What he did had long surpassed the bounds of ordinary friendship. And little by little, the time he used to spend with me faded away.
I was furious. I argued with him, cried, made sceneseventually, I brought up breaking up.
The first time I said it, he thought I was joking and soothed me patiently.
The second time, he dismissed it as one of my tempers and tried every way he knew to coax me.
The third time, he broke downstanding outside my house all night in the pouring rain, half kneeling before me, begging for forgiveness.
Time and time again, I said I wanted to leave, and each time, he refused to let me go. Yet with every reconciliation, something in him changed.
He began to assume I would always forgive him. That no matter what he did, I would never leave.
He lost his patience. He stopped trying to comfort me sincerely. Even when he came to make peace, his tone carried nothing but perfunctory weariness.
Then came Halloween.
The school was hosting an outdoor event, and the night air was cold. Lina shivered, saying she felt chilly, and without hesitation, he slipped off his jacket and draped it over her shoulderscompletely ignoring me, though I had said the same.
In that moment, every disappointment I’d buried, every ache I’d endured, erupted all at once. I stood up, staring at the two of them sitting so close together, and said coldly, “Thor, we’re done.”
He didn’t even look up. “Don’t make a scene,” he said flatly.
I heard the impatience in his voice and couldn’t help a bitter smile. Then I turned and walked away without another word.
He didn’t follow. He didn’t even offer to drive me home. Perhaps he thought that after a few days, my temper would cool; that when he finally decided to coax me again, I would, like always, forgive him.
But as I glanced back one last time, I saw him lift a grape to Lina’s lips. Her lips brushed his fingertips, and my heart trembled.
In that instant, I finally understood that I no longer held the same place in his heart.
The heart he had wounded and worn down over and over again no longer longed for his warmth or his love. That was the hundredth time I said goodbye. And the one time I truly meant it.
Chapter 2
Since I had decided to end things, I needed to cut off every connection between us.
I changed my university application, choosing a different university from Thor.
Then I gathered every gift he had ever given me, packed them neatly into a box, and sent them back.
But soon after, the box was returned by his housekeeper.
So I decided to go in personto talk things through, one last time.
When I arrived at his house, I saw him in the garden with Lina.
She was holding a small shovel, planting a sapling, while he stood beside her, helping to fill the soil.
From a distance, they looked like a perfect couple. But what hurt most was the way he looked at her. His gaze was soft, filled with tenderness.
I didn’t interrupt. I just stood there quietly, watching. Until I noticed the pair of shoes on Lina’s feet the very ones I had given him as a coming-of-age gift.
I had spent five days at a luxury workshop handcrafting those matching shoes myself. They were one of a kind, made only for us. When I’d given them to him, he had cradled them in his arms, smiling with genuine joy.
“They’re perfect,” he’d said. “Too beautiful to wear. I’ll keep them forever as a memory.”
But now he had given them to someone else.
Sensing my gaze, Lina turned to look at me with a bright, unbothered smile.
“Hey, Aisha! You’re here! We’re planting treescome join us!”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
Her eyes flickered, and she walked toward me, lifting her foot to show off the shoes.
“Oh, rightmine got wet earlier, so Thor lent me these. You don’t mind, do you?”
I shook my head again.
But what did it matter if I did? Would he even care?
Thor finally noticed me then, his expression darkening when he saw the box in my arms.
“Don’t start this breakup nonsense again,” he said. “I picked out those gifts carefully for you. If you don’t want them anymore, what does that say about me?”
I met his gaze calmly and said, “I’m not making a scene. I’m serious.”
His face twisted with anger. “Fine. If you’re so set on it, then throw them all away. I don’t take back what I’ve given.”
Then he turned his back to me and went on shoveling soil, as if I were nothing more than a passing breeze.
I pressed my lips together, saying nothing. There was no point in continuing this conversation.
My eyes lingered on him for a moment. He was tall and striking, standing nearly six foot three, every inch the guy who drew countless stares wherever he went. He had always carried himself with quiet confidence and taste, effortlessly charming to others.
But back then, his eyes had only ever held me. No matter how many girls tried to flirt or tempt him, he never wavered.
Until Lina.
Now, all it took was her smile to make him forget every promise he’d made me.
It wasn’t that Lina was exceptional. It was that after all these years together, he’d grown tired.
Even married couples face the seven-year itchhow could two people who were only dating escape it?
Love, no matter how deep, can’t always withstand the slow erosion of time.
When another woman entered his world, I became invisible.
In his mind, nothing was his fault. Everything was mine. He even believed he was the one who had suffered.
But what he never realized was that his constant bias, his indifference, and his neglect had worn me down. I was too tired to keep trying. Too unsure to keep hoping.
The hundredth breakup was the lastbecause this time, I truly didn’t want him anymore.
I straightened my back, forcing steadiness into my voice. “Since we’ve broken up, it’s only right that I return what’s yours.”
Then I set the box down on the ground.
Just as I turned to leave, he strode forward and kicked it hard.
The box split open, spilling its contentsluxury handbags, jewelry, and the photographs that held every precious memory between us. They scattered across the ground like shattered pieces of the past.
As if that weren’t enough, he stepped forward again and crushed one under his shoe.
“I don’t need any of this,” he said flatly.
Chapter 3
My throat tightened; the words lodged there, refusing to come out. I turned and walked away.
When I reached the stairs, a small teddy was tossed from nearby, landing at my feet.
The sight of it blurred my vision. Whenever my parents were away and the house felt too big and lonely, I would sleep at Thor’s place. He had a room for me there, and I could only fall asleep clutching that bear.
As I stood frozen, Thor continued to throw more stuff my way. The pajamas, photos, and toothbrushes I’d left at his house lay scattered at my feet.
Thor’s voice was cold and clipped. “Since we’re breaking up, take your things and go.”
In the past, I would have sobbed and raged, begged him not to be cruel, then curled up and let the matter slide. But not now. I crouched down and collected my stuff with a steady hand.
There were too many to carry. When I looked up and saw the fireplace, I walked over and began tossing things into the hearth. Flames hungrily licked the paper and leather; a loud sizzle swallowed the objects as they were consumed. Let the fire burn everythinglet it even burn away the ache inside me.
Thor stared at me, stunned, disbelief written across his face.
Lina wandered over and handed him half an apple, a deliberate little distraction. He glanced at it, ignored the teeth marks on the flesh, and bit into it as if nothing mattered.
My fingers tightened. He was obsessive about cleanlinesshe wouldn’t touch a banana I’d already eatenbut he had no trouble taking a bite of Lina’s apple. Clearly, his fastidiousness applied selectively. She mattered to him in a way I no longer did.
I turned away, exhaustion and helplessness settling into my bones. I thought the pain would last forever, but it numbed quicker than I’d expected.
At the door, Lina intercepted me. I looked at her with cool detachment as she smiled radiantly.
“If you’re really breaking up with him, just do it properlydon’t keep coming back to pester Thor,” she said, her tone sharp beneath the sweetness.
I frowned. “This is between him and me. It’s none of your business.”
Her smile deepened until it was almost malicious. “Our relationship is getting closer. I love him, so his matters are my matters now.
“You keep saying you want to break up, then you always regret it. He’s run out of patience with youhe’s sick of your temper. He doesn’t want to coax you anymore. Do us both a favor and stop bothering him. Your clinging just makes him disgusted.”
A coldness dropped over me. I was about to reply when she pushed on, flaunting her victory.
“Also, you should change your university plans. I’m going to the same school as him. If you end up there too, I’ll watch him grow to despise youwatch him treat you like a stranger while I walk into the chapel beside him.”
Anger flared in the depths of my eyes.
“You’re insane. Go get help.” I wanted to hurl worse insults at her, but arguing with someone like that felt pointless.
I tried to walk past, but she grabbed my arm, stopping me. “You’re the sick onealways clinging to Thor. No wonder Thor doesn’t love you.”
I had been holding myself back, but her brazen arrogance finally cracked something in me. I wrenched free and shouted, “Don’t touch me!”
She looked at me with loathing and kept pushing. “Who wants to touch you? Haven’t you noticed Thor won’t even kiss you anymore? He thinks you’re dirty. You were kidnapped before, and you’re tainted.”
Those words made my blood boil. I didn’t thinkI reacted. My hand shot out and slapped her across the face.
Chapter 4
I had been kidnapped once, but the culprits were after money. They released me unharmed after receiving the ransom.
Only a few people close to me knew about that incident. For Lina to know, Thor must have told herand that realization crushed me.
He knew I’d been rescued untouched, untainted. Yet she used that ordeal to humiliate me. It was unforgivable.
Lina clutched her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief as she snarled through clenched teeth. “You hit me!”
My expression darkened. “I did. Do I need to schedule it next time?”
Just then, footsteps approached from behind.
Her gaze flickered, and before I could react, she seized my wrist and dug her nails in hard. Pain shot through me, and I instinctively shoved her away.
Behind us was the pool. She lost her balance and toppled straight into the deep end.
Lina couldn’t swim. Within seconds, the water swallowed her whole.
Thor saw everything. He shoved me aside and leapt into the pool to save her.
I stumbled, crashing into the wallpain exploded across my forehead as blood trickled down my face.
When Lina was pulled from the water, she immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing pitifully in his arms.
“Thor Aisha just went crazy! She yelled at me, hit me, and pushed me I don’t even know what I did wrong! My head hurts, my body hurts”
Thor’s eyes burned as he glared at me, his face dark with fury.
“Aisha, are you insane? You could’ve killed her! When did you become so vicious?”
I froze. The chill in his eyes was sharp enough to cut through bone.
I waitedhopedhe’d notice the blood running down my forehead, but he didn’t. He looked at me like a lion ready to tear me apart.
“I thought you were just temperamental,” he said coldly. “But you’re cruel. You don’t deserve my love.”
A stabbing pain seized my chest. I tried to speak, to explainbut before I could, he spat the words that shattered me completely.
“Get out! I don’t want to see you again. You’ve disappointed me beyond measure.”
Those two wordsget outhit like a blast of icy wind, blowing away every last trace of my foolish hope.
He had made his choice. He believed her.
No amount of explanation could wake a man who had chosen to stay blind.
I watched him carefully lift Lina into his arms and carry her inside. She clung to him pitifully, her face streaked with tears, while he murmured soft comforts against her hairhis gaze on her tender, reverent, as if she were something precious.
At that moment, it felt as though he had taken a knife to my heart and carved it into pieces. It bled endlessly, refusing to heal.
Once, no matter how wrong I was, he couldn’t bear to raise his voice at me.
Once, he believed in mealways.
But that man was gone.
His trust was gone. His gentleness was gone. And the love that once belonged to me now belonged to someone else. There was no room left for me in his heart.
I didn’t cry. I simply went home, exhausted beyond measure. The family doctor came to stitch the gash on my forehead.
It was deep, and since I scarred easily, he suggested I undergo surgery later to reduce the mark.
But I refused. I wanted the scar to stayas a reminder never to lose myself for love again.
During my recovery, Lina sent me countless vile messages, accompanied by photos of her and Thor together. Sometimes she attached audio clips of his gentle voice speaking to her.
I read and listened to them all in silence, then deleted every single one.
My love for Thor was gone. No matter how many photos or recordings she sent, even if they still hurt to see, they no longer broke me.
Chapter 5
One day, my school organized a field trip.
I went with my deskmate, while Thor and Lina were practically glued togetherlike conjoined twins. They were inseparable, their closeness so blatant that everyone’s gazes turned ambiguous. Some looked at them with teasing smiles, others at me with something between curiosity and pity.
During lunch, Thor even cut her steak into small pieces for her, his every move gentle and attentive.
My deskmate couldn’t help herself and leaned closer, whispering, “What’s going on with them?”
I cast a calm glance in their direction and replied, “We broke up, that’s all.”
My voice wasn’t loud, but it carried far enough. The table fell silent, and several heads turned toward us in surprise.
“What? You two were so closewhy would you break up?”
“Yeah, didn’t you plan to get married after university?”
“Thor, didn’t you love Aisha?”
Thor said nothing. His silence was louder than any denial.
My chest ached, but I raised my voice just enough. “We just weren’t right for each other.”
My deskmate frowned, puzzled. “But Thor’s a great guy, and he treated you so well. How’s that not right?”
My gaze darkened. Yes, he used to treat me well. Which made his indifference now feel all the more cruel.
I gave a faint, knowing smile. “People change. Some drift apart, and some find others who fit them better.”
My eyes shifted to where Lina was feeding Thor a piece of fruit.
The others followed my gaze, and understanding dawned. No one asked more.
Thor’s eyes flickered with resentment.
I ignored him completely.
Maybe to prove a point, he stopped hiding his affection for Lina. He openly doted on hercarried her when she was tired, massaged her ankle when she twisted it.
Once, that would’ve made me jealous. Now, it didn’t stir me at all.
On the way down the mountain, the path turned slippery, and I almost fellsaved only by my deskmate’s quick reflexes.
When I looked up, I caught a flash of worry and panic in Thor’s eyes. He even took a step toward me, but Lina quickly caught his arm, leaned close, and whispered something in his ear.
His face darkened immediately. When his eyes met mine again, they were filled not with concern, but irritation.
I knew she was twisting the truth again. But then, any love that could be poisoned by a few whispers was never strong to begin with.
I turned away, letting the mountain breeze wash over me. I felt calm. To me, Thor was nothing but air now. It was as if I had never known him at all.
On the bus ride back, everyone grew bored and decided to play a dare game. Whoever drew a red slip had to follow the command written on itor else run naked around the school track.
I got lucky and drew a blank slip.
Thor, however, drew red. The instruction: Choose someone here and kiss them.
Lina sat beside him, her cheeks instantly flushing pink as she ducked her head.
The others started cheering.
“Come on, Thor! Pick someone to kiss, or it’s the track for you!”
Instinctively, Thor’s eyes flicked toward me.
I turned away, refusing to look at him.
Lina’s best friend spoke up loudly, feigning innocence.
“Thor, you and Aisha already broke up. Kissing her again wouldn’t be right. Lina’s right beside you. Why not kiss Lina?”
Others chimed in, grinning. “Yeah, you two are basically dating already! A kiss would just make it official!”
All eyes were on them now.
But Thor didn’t look at Lina. His gaze stayed locked on me, as if waiting to see my reaction.
It was Lina who finally broke the tension. She lifted her head, her eyes sharp and daring as they met mine.
“Aisha, you and Thor broke up,” she said sweetly. “So there’s nothing wrong with me going after him now, right?”
Chapter 6
My expression stayed composed, but my tone carried a chill.
“That’s between the two of you. It has nothing to do with me.”
And it was trueafter the breakup, his affairs no longer concerned me.
At my words, the faint expectation in Thor’s eyes dimmed, replaced by a mocking edge.
“You’re the ex. Of course it has nothing to do with you.”
With that, our connection was severed completely.
Then, without warning, Thor stood up, pulled Lina to her feet, and locked his eyes on hers. Under everyone’s stunned gaze, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her hard.
A chorus of gasps and squeals erupted throughout the bus.
The kiss dragged on. Soon, silence fellheavy, suffocating. Even the sound of breathing disappeared.
I sat frozen, staring.
My heart clenched so tight it felt like a thousand ants were gnawing through it. The pain spread down to my bones. My brain screamed for me to stop them, but reason held me still.
So I bit down hard on my lip, my nails digging into my palms, forcing myself to stay composed.
Their kiss went on and on.
I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. I turned toward the window, staring out at the blur of trees rushing past.
When they finally pulled apart, someone shouted with a teasing laugh, “Thor! That’s your kiss with a second girl. How does it compare to your first?”
Thor cleared his throat and replied, his voice carrying an unmistakable trace of fondness.
“Of course the second one feels better.”
The words struck like a blade. Despite all my restraint, my vision blurred, and my eyes burned hot.
Because no matter how hard you try, love is the one emotion you can’t control. And his cruelty was unbearable.
I pressed my hands over my ears, closed my eyes, and shut out the world. If I didn’t see or hear, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much.
When the bus finally arrived, I was the first to get up, practically fleeing down the steps.
When I reached the restroom, I doubled over the sink and vomited. My head spun; my body felt weak.
The image of him kissing Lina kept flashing before my eyes. Tears spilled before I could stop them.
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
Lovehow devastatingly real it could be.
After a long while, when the dizziness faded, I washed my face and left the restroom.
Passing by the men’s room, I caught familiar voices drifting through the open doorway.
“Thor, wasn’t it too muchkissing another girl right in front of her?”
“It’s not too much. She keeps threatening to break up. This time, I’ll teach her a lesson. Let’s see if she dares to act out again.”
“But she looked really shaken. Shouldn’t you go talk to her?”
“I’ve been comforting her for years. I’m tired of it.”
“Yeah, you spoiled her too much. That’s why she keeps pulling the breakup card.”
“Exactly. Once she realizes how serious I am, she’ll come crawling back to apologize. Then she’ll think twice before ever defying me again. It’s the best way to keep her in line.”
Their words chilled me to the bone.
So that was what he thought of methat I was throwing tantrums, and he could train me into obedience. That even his kiss with another woman was just a punishment.
How laughably arrogant.
I let out a quiet, hollow laugh and walked away.
On the way home, memories of us kept replaying in my mind.
How he’d panic when I choked on food and rush me to the hospital.
When I had stomach cramps, he’d wake specialists in the middle of the night just to ease my pain.
Whenever I was sad, he’d do anything to make me laugh, even plan surprise trips to cheer me up.
He’d memorized everythingwhat I liked to eat, what made me happy, how I lived my days.
His care had once been flawless, all-consuming. And over time, I grew used to it. I believed that love, that devotion, was mine alone.
But in the end, even the strongest affection couldn’t survive temptation.
Chapter 7
Thor’s special treatment of Lina had me worried; that was for sure. I had tried to win him back by threatening to break up, but all I earned was his disgust. Once I was no longer his only one, everything I did became wrong. It was clear, whatever he and I shared belonged to the past.
As exams approached, I buried myself in study.
Meanwhile, Thor and Lina grew closer by the day; rumor had it they were already a couple. I became the punchline in everyone’s gossip.
After the tests, I stayed homenowhere to gowaiting for my acceptance letter.
Soon, the envelope arrived. I took it from the courier and was about to open it when a shadow fell over my head and someone snatched the letter from my hands. I recognized the thief and felt my mood sour.
“Give that backit’s mine,” I said.
Thor ignored me and ripped open the envelope.
My heart lurched; I lunged instinctively and grabbed it back.
“Don’t look.” I barked.
He looked at me coldly. “I was curious how you didwanted to see if maybe”
He trailed off, but I cut him off. “You have no right to see it.”
His face hardened, voice sharpening. “Aisha, are you still throwing tantrums after all this time?”
I kept my lips pressed together and looked down. He reached out, pinched my chin, and forced me to meet his gaze.
“I thought you’d use this time to calm down and think. I thought you’d realize where you went wrong. But you don’t seem remorseful at all.”
I let out a bitter laugh that tasted of scorn. “So, you think I’m the one at fault?”
“Isn’t that the case?”
Disappointment thinned across my features; the warmth I once felt for him eroded a little more. I stepped back, about to speak, but he sighed in resignation.
“Fine. If you haven’t figured it out yet, take your time. We’ll be at the same universityfour years should be plenty for you to come to your senses.”
I frowned and said, “I applied to another school.”
At that moment, his phone rang, drowning out my words. When he glanced at the caller ID, his face softened. He answered; his voice became gentle.
“Lina? What’s wrong?”
Even from where I stood, I could hear her tremulous cries through the handset. “Thor, I’m being harassed by some thugs. They’re forcing me to drink. I’m at the Last Drop Bar. Come quickly.”
Thor’s expression snapped into panic. He turned and started to leave, murmuring reassurances into the phone as he went. “Don’t be afraid. I’m on my way. If anyone lays a finger on you, I’ll kill them.”
I watched his retreating back until he vanished, and whatever storm had been in me calmed. Whether he’d heard my earlier words or not didn’t matter anymore; I had said them.
I slit open the envelope. The university name confirmed my new plan: a school far from the city I lived in. I had no intention of coming back for those four years. From then on, my life and Thor’s no longer intersected.
His life, however, brimmed with excitement. He spent his days dining and partying with friends, always with Lina at his side. They traveled together, dived together, trekked forests, spent nights in cavesevery adventure photographed and posted to his social feed. Lina’s face appeared in every album, radiant with joy.
One day, he even posted a photo of Lina kissing his cheek.
Chapter 8
A few of Lina and Thor’s friends commented beneath his post.
[Lina, you’re amazingyou actually got the aloof and restrained Thor!]
[Wow, you two are official now! Expecting wedding bells soon and a baby!]
[Yes! Don’t forget to invite me to the wedding!]
[I call dibs on being the best man!]
Reading through the comments, I felt a twinge of discomfort. No matter how many times I told myself to move on, the heart wasn’t a machineit still ached.
But this pain wasn’t as sharp as before. It had dulled, softened around the edges. Time truly could change a person, and fade emotions that once felt impossible to forget.
When I returned to campus for the graduation ceremony, the first thing I saw upon stepping through the gate was Lina, arm-in-arm with Thor. They were laughing, radianta perfect match of beauty and charm. Someone nearby was taking their photo.
Even though Thor’s pose looked a little stiff, he still smiled for the camera, eyes filled with gentle affection when he looked at her.
I remembered our first photo togetherhe’d looked at me the same way.
I turned down another path, choosing not to cross their way. I had no desire for awkward encounters.
As I walked, memories of Thor and me flooded back like flickering scenes from an old filmour laughter echoing through the campus, our warm embraces, the dizzying sweetness of first kisses.
We had once promised to marry after university, to build a home, to decide how many children we’d have.
Back then, we were childishbut genuine. Now, it all felt like a beautiful dream. And when I woke, the dream was gone, and so were we.
I made my way to the back garden, picked up a fallen branch, and pried open a patch of earth. Beneath it was a small boxour names carved onto its lid.
There was an old legend at our school: if two lovers wanted their bond to last forever, they had to write down their names, tie them together with a ribbon, and bury them in the ground. That way, their love would be blessed for a lifetime.
The year we decided to marry, we came here and buried our names together. It was also here that he had promised to love me forever.
I dug up the box, opened it, and pulled out the slip with my name. Without hesitation, I tore it to shreds.
They were together now. Why should I cling to a promise that no longer meant anything?
Footsteps sounded behind me. I turned and saw Lina approaching, her expression cold, eyes sharp with disdain.
“Still can’t let go, can you?” she said icily.
I looked up and held the box out to her.
“Tie your name with his,” I said flatly.
She blinked in surprise, hesitated for a moment, then took the box.
I stood, inhaled deeply, and said, “You love him, don’t you? Then hold on tight.”
A confident smile curved her lips. “Of course.”
She quickly scribbled her name, tied it with his, and buried the two together.
I said nothing more and walked away, oddly numb.
Before leaving campus, I decided to stop by the library for a few books. One title caught my eye, something philosophical yet comforting, and I found myself absorbed in it.
Then, a pungent smell reached my nose. I frowned, sniffed again, and instantly sensed something was wrong. Dropping the book, I bolted for the door.
But it was too late. Flames were already roaring outside, blocking the exit. Within seconds, fire engulfed the room, trapping me inside.
I tried to find a way out of the fire, searching desperately for a corner to shield myself while scanning for any possible escape.
Just then, a shadow rushed in. When I looked closer, my stomach sankit was Lina.
Of course. Even in a fire, fate had a way of throwing us together.
Her expression was dark, her tone bitter.
“This is all your fault. Nothing good ever happens when you’re around.”
Chapter 9
My brows arched with fury as I snapped, “Shut your filthy mouth!”
But Lina refused to stop. Her voice cut through the crackle of fire, every word soaked in venom.
“Yelling won’t change anything. Thor is mine now. From now on, the one standing beside him will be me. In his heart, I’ll always matter a thousand times more than you ever did.”
I scowled, glaring at her with open disdain. “Pathetic lovesick fool.”
My indifference only fueled her rage. Her face twisted with fury as she lunged forward and shoved me hard.
I stumbled backward, crashing into the bookshelf behind me. Books rained down as I fell, the heavy spines striking my head. For a brief, disoriented moment, the world went dark.
When I came to, the acrid smell of smoke filled my lungs. Through the haze, I saw Thor rushing in with a fire extinguisher, dousing the flames in front of him. Relief flickered for an instantuntil I realized what he did next.
He ran straight to Lina, scooped her into his arms, and carried her out.
I struggled to my feet, but the fire had already spread, racing toward me with frightening speed. A gust of wind from the open doorway fed the flames, sending them roaring higher. Thick black smoke rolled through the air, stinging my eyes and burning my throat.
I coughed violently, tears spilling as I gasped for air.
Panic surged. I screamed for help.
“Help Thor!”
But he never turned back.
I shouted again, louder this timeclinging to the last thread of hope that he would come for me.
He froze mid-step and looked over his shoulder.
For a heartbeat, I thought he might return.
Then Lina whimpered, clutching her arm. “Ah my arm hurts so bad I can’t breathe I’m dying”
Thor’s brow furrowed deeply, hesitation flickering in his eyes. But when he looked up again, that moment of conflict was gonereplaced by cold, emotionless resolve.
“I can only save one person. And besides, she and I are over. Whether she lives or dies, it has nothing to do with me.”
For a second, I couldn’t even breathe.
I had thought that even if love had faded, he might still save me for the sake of what we once were.
But I’d been na?ve.
As I watched him walk away, his figure swallowed by firelight, a hollow laugh broke from my throat. The sound trembled, crackedthen turned into sobs.
That was the last time I ever cried for his cruelty.
My vision blurred. The world went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a hospital bed. My mother sat beside me, her face pale and anxious.
She gripped my hand tightly, her voice trembling with relief. “Sweetheart, thank God you’re awake. Are you in pain?”
“I’m fine, Mom,” I said weakly. Only then did she relax, wiping her eyes.
She told me that when the fire broke out, several classmates had rushed in with extinguishers to rescue me. I listened in silence.
Then, she squeezed my hand again, her voice tinged with heartache. “Baby what happened between you and Thor?”
At his name, my chest tightened. I hesitated a while, then said, “We broke up.”
Her pupils trembled, and she let out a long, weary sigh.
“No wonder. I called to tell him you were in the hospital, but he said it wasn’t his concern, and he never came.”
I lowered my gaze, forcing my emotions into stillness. The memory of that fire still burned behind my eyes.
The boy I had loved for so many yearsonce his love was gone, his heart turned to stone.
After a long silence, I sat up slowly and gave my mother a faint, bitter smile.
“Mom, he and I really are done. We won’t be in touch again.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “But you two were planning to get married How can years of love just disappear like that?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “People change.”
Just then, a shadow flickered past the door. I lifted my gaze and caught sight of a familiar coat hem.
Was I imagining it?
That coat looked exactly like Thor’s.
But no he wouldn’t come. I must’ve been seeing things.
I turned back to my mother, my tone firm now. “Mom, please, don’t ask about him anymore.”
She sighed again, wanting to say more, but seeing the set of my expression, she let it go.
Chapter 10
Three days later, when I was discharged and returned home, I saw that the exterior of the Thor’s house was draped in festive decorations. His house was buzzing with people and laughterit looked like they were hosting a celebration.
My mother quickly answered my unspoken question.
“Thor got into his dream university. His family’s throwing a party for him.”
She hesitated, then said uncertainly, “They invited us too but I wasn’t sure if you’d want to go.”
I was just about to refuse when Thor’s mom, Mrs. Bentley, appeared at the gate. She greeted us warmly, grasped my hand, and pulled me toward the lively house.
“Come on, sweetheart! We’re not just celebrating Thor todayyou deserve to be celebrated too.”
Sensing my reluctance, she gave my hand a reassuring pat.
“Oh, I know Thor’s done things that hurt you. Don’t take it to heart. He’s just stubborn. Once he comes to his senses, he’ll apologize.”
My lips pressed into a thin line, my expression unreadable.
Apology or notit didn’t matter anymore.
As soon as I stepped inside, the chatter quieted, and every gaze in the room shifted toward me.
Thor looked up. His eyes narrowed, the smile on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by an icy indifference that made the air heavy.
Even when his mother gently pushed me toward him, I stood still. He didn’t move either. His mother, realizing we were still at odds, could only sigh and let it be.
I lowered my gaze and stood quietly, like a puppet with its strings cut.
Mrs. Bentley walked over to him and gave his shoulder a firm slap. “Don’t be so cold all the time! A man should know how to coax his girl.”
He said nothing, just gave a cold glare.
Before she could scold him further, the door openedand Lina’s bright, striking figure walked in, drawing everyone’s attention. She wore a radiant smile as she approached Thor’s parents.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bentley. I’m Lina, Thor’s friend.”
They returned her greeting politely, not suspecting a thing.
But the moment Thor saw her, the frost in his eyes melted away. His entire demeanor softened. He walked straight toward her, took her hand, and led her into the crowdcompletely ignoring me and his parents.
His parents exchanged awkward glances, helplessness flickering between them.
It was clear I didn’t belong there anymore. I turned to leave, but Mrs. Bentley caught my wrist. “Sweetheart, don’t be upset.”
“I’m not upset,” I said, meeting her eyes. “But I need to be honest with you. Thor and I broke up. Whoever he’s with nowthat’s his choice.”
Her face froze in shock. She opened her mouth, perhaps to defend her sonbut then she saw him across the room, gently wiping the corner of Lina’s lips, his fingers brushing her cheek. She smiled up at him, eyes full of tenderness.
Mrs. Bentley’s words died in her throat.
My mother, who had been standing beside me, finally understood everything. Her face darkened.
“I thought they were just having a lovers’ quarrel. But now I see there’s a third person involved. Thor has really gone too far, breaking Aisha’s heart like this.”
Mrs. Bentley shook her head, flustered. “No, that’s not possiblethere must be some misunderstanding”
“Misunderstanding?” My mother gave a cold laugh. “The truth is right there in front of us. I thought all those breakups and makeups would make him cherish her more, but I was wrong. He’s crossed the line. Breaking up was the best thing Aisha ever did.”
Her fierce defense of me sent a warmth through my chesta fragile, grateful ache. At least someone still loved me enough to stand by me.
People nearby were starting to look over, curious. I could see Mrs. Bentley’s face flush with embarrassment. This was her family’s celebration; I didn’t want to make a scene.
So I took a slow breath and said softly, “Mom, that’s enough. I’m tired. Let’s go home.”
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