05
Back at the apartment, Chase stood by the window, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. His brows
furrowed as he stared at his phone screen.
Helen Foster had blocked him again.
This was the second time she had blacklisted him during their years together and this time felt different. For
once, there weren’t countless unread messages or playful emoji–laden texts waiting for him.
Chase had grown used to Helen’s constant stream of updates–sharing pictures of everything from cupcakes to ants on the sidewalk. But now? Silence.
This time, it seemed Helen wasn’t just upset; she was furious. Not that Chase cared enough to ask why. To him, it didn’t matter–he’d always been able to smooth things over with a kiss or a gift.
His focus now was entirely on Grace, who wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing herself against him with practiced ease.
Her soft voice broke through his thoughts. “Why did you take so long? I’ve been waiting for you in bed.”
The tension in Chase’s face melted, replaced by a smile.
He turned to her, capturing her lips in a kiss. Grace had been his secret for four years, and tonight was no different. “Soon, Grace. Soon, we’ll be together for real,” he murmured. “This part won’t last forever.”
Chase pulled her closer, deepening the kiss as they stumbled toward the bedroom.
The Heart He Stole
The organ donation consent form sat safely in Chase’s desk drawer. That was all he needed. The rest would fall
into place in time.
For years, Helen had trusted him completely. Chase had cared for her, nurtured her, and provided for her–all to
keep her healthy and strong.
The memory of that rainy day, when this all began, flashed through his mind. He had just learned of Grace’s heart condition, and desperation had driven him to Helen’s college campus. Soaking wet, he’d crafted the most convincing lie of his life, pretending to be madly in love with her.
Helen had been so moved by his words, by his act, that she had cried. That single tear had sealed her fate. Now, years later, Chase kissed Grace again, his mind momentarily clouded by guilt he couldn’t explain. He pushed the thought away.
Grace, as always, could sense when something was off.
“Are you distracted?” she teased, running her fingers through his hair.
Chase shook his head, pulling her closer. Whatever stray thoughts lingered, Grace’s presence always managed to drown them out.
That night, like so many others, they abandoned all pretense of morality. Their affair, hidden from Helen, continued unchecked,
Afterward, Chase lay awake, covered in sweat. He slipped out of bed and went to take a shower. When he returned, he checked his phone again, hoping for a message from Helen.
Still nothing.
Out of habit, he started to dial her number, but before he could press call, Grace appeared and snatched the phone from his hand. “Tonight, no distractions,” she said, her tone playful but firm. “You promised to spend these seven days with me.”
Seeing the pout on her face, Chase felt his earlier annoyance fade. Grace always knew how to soothe him, how to redirect his focus back to her.
“You’re right,” he said, smiling as he kissed her forehead. “I’m all yours.”
Unbeknownst to him, Grace had just deleted Helen’s number from his phone.
***
When the plane landed, my heart felt lighter for the first time in years.
Adam’s villa stood stark and modern, its cold black, white and gray interior reflecting his personality perfectly. The minimalist décor was a far cry from the warmth I had tried to cultivate in my old home.
As I unpacked my bags, my fingers brushed against a small box tucked into one of the pockets. I opened it to find the diamond ring Chase had given me on our wedding day. I couldn’t even remember when I had packed it.
The diamond had once been a symbol of Chase’s effort–a rare piece he had sourced through countless connections. I had admired it once, but now, it felt heavy in my hands, a relic of a love that had never truly been mine. Placing the box on the nightstand, I turned away from it.
A new chapter was beginning, and I wouldn’t let the weight of the past hold me back.
“You deserve the best.”
