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“That’s not true.”
“It is. Yeah, maybe you were at first, but you haven’t been for a long time. She was your girlfriend. Deny it all you want, but you know deep down I’m right.”
Alone with my thoughts later that night, Olivia’s voice echoed through my mind.
She’d told me she loved me.
She was mistaken.
That look on her face—the shocked, hurt disbelief…I’d never forget it. It cut me to fucking shreds. It had taken everything I had in me to steel myself and walk away.
I shifted uncomfortably on the sofa and pushed everything down, way down, until I felt nothing, the numbness sending me into a dreamless sleep.
27
Olivia
How do you face the person that broke your heart? Face them every day at work? Act like you’re okay when you’re dying inside?
Ten minutes after I’d arrived at work, the hairs rose on the back of my neck and I knew he’d entered the office. Helpless to do anything else, my eyes were drawn towards him, betraying my broken heart. He met my gaze blankly, not even a flicker of emotion showing. It was as if he’d shut down. He looked as good as ever, but his eyes were dead.
As I studied him, fresh pain rushed through me. It was physical—the only way I could describe it was like a hot knife stabbing me. I felt like I was suffocating.
I couldn’t breathe. The man I loved, now a stranger.
I lowered my eyes, trying to keep the tears at bay. I’d spent the entire weekend crying over him, the pain beyond anything I could have imagined.
Turning away, he walked into Ethan’s office without even knocking.
“Drink this.” Eddie eyed me in concern, noticing my distress. He placed a mug in front of me.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“What’s he done?”
“Ended it with me.” I stated it flatly. Maybe if I kept saying it, it would become easier to accept and the pain would go away sooner.
“What? Absolute wankpuffin,” Eddie muttered under his breath, shaking his head in stunned disbelief. “Why would he do that? He’s obsessed with you.”
“I guess not, otherwise we’d still be together.” My voice was small. “I know we were only meant to be having a casual arrangement, but I fell for him. Completely. I thought we were on the same page, but I guess not.”
“I—I have no words.”
“You and me both, Ed. I just need to get through today. Then the next, and the next, until it stops hurting.”
“Oh, Liv.” He sighed sadly. “I’m so sorry. I’m always here for you, you know that, right?”
“I know. And you’re pretty much the only reason I gathered enough strength to come into work today. I almost called in sick. I’ve never had a broken heart before, but I’m telling you now, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.” I could never have imagined how painful it would be until it happened to me, and I would have given anything to take it away.
“Babes, you’re gonna get through this, okay? Act strong, until you feel it inside. Drink your coffee, then get out there and slay them. Or y’know, revamp their websites.” He leaned down and gave me a quick hug before dropping into his chair.
“I can do that. Or try, at least.”
“Let’s do this.”
Immersing myself in work was the only way I could keep going, especially when Luke returned from Ethan’s office. I found myself hyperaware of his presence, and it took everything in me to concentrate on my tasks.
“Let’s get out of here for lunch,” Eddie suggested. “You need a change of scenery.”
