Val's POV
When I got inside the house, I collapsed onto the couch, massaging my throat and crying. I closed my eyes, but his dark, ruthless gaze haunted me. His words. His actions. They played over and over in my head like a terrible song stuck on repeat.
"I'm so stupid for going along with the kiss. He wanted nothing but to get inside me," I muttered bitterly to myself, tears stinging my eyes. "He can have any woman he wants, but no-I'm the one born to be miserable."
I buried my face in my hands, sobbing.
A knock at the door cut through my crying. I froze.
Could it be Daniel? I sat up quickly, realizing I was still wearing his sweater. That must be why he came back. Slowly, I walked to the door and opened it.
To my utter shock, it wasn't Daniel.
It was Luke.
My breath caught in my throat. What is he doing here?
"Hi, Varie," he said with that infuriating softness in his voice-the same one he used when things were good between us.
Hearing that nickname brought back a flood of memories, and I had to look away to hide my tears.
"Why are you here, Luke?" I asked sharply, trying to steady my voice.
"Can we at least go inside and talk? We're exes, not enemies," he replied, his tone almost convincing.
I stared at him for a moment, torn. Don't say it, Val. Don't admit you missed him.
"I've had enough drama for today. You're not welcome here anymore, Luke. Please leave," I said firmly, turning to close the door.
But he grabbed my wrist.
"Seriously? You haven't moved on yet?" he accused, his eyes narrowing.
I yanked my arm back. "Let me go, Luke. I've had enough for one night."
But instead of letting go, he pulled me closer. My hand instinctively rested against his chest to keep some distance between us.
"Varie..." He ran his fingers gently through my hair. "You haven't changed. Still the same little crybaby."
He wiped a tear from my cheek, and I hated myself for not pulling away.
"Was it all a joke to you?" I asked, my voice breaking. "Was it just some prank all along?"
It was a stupid question but for Luke I did ask that.
I hope it was all a prank, so I can get back with the man, my first love, who had filled my head with promises, someone I can do anything for.
He tilted his head and smirked, leaning closer. His breath fanned my face, and for a second, I thought he was going to kiss me.
"You haven't answered me," I said, turning my face away to avoid him.
He laughed bitterly. "What do you think? Grow up, Val. Stop being such a drag."
His words hit like a slap. I stepped back, wiping my tears angrily.
"Go along with what? Don't mock me, Luke. I might have a soft heart, but I'm not dumb."
He raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Really? You're literally the dumbest woman I've ever been with."
That stung. It felt like a knife twisting in my chest. But I stood my ground, even though every fiber of my being wanted to cry.
"Say whatever you have to say here, Luke," I said coldly. "But don't call me Varie anymore. And you're not stepping foot in my house."
He scoffed. "Seriously?"
I tried to close the door, but he held it open with more force than I expected.
"Is this about that brat Prince?" he sneered. "I know you're trying to get to me by showing up at that party with him, but seriously? Prince? You're so naïve, Val. The only reason he's interested in you is because of your-"
"Stop," I interrupted, my voice trembling.
But he didn't.
"I told him you're loose. I even told him to see if he could make you squirt since I never did. Did he manage it? Or are you still as useless as ever?"
My tears fell freely now, and I stared at him, horrified.
"You're disgusting, Luke," I said, my voice shaking.
He smirked again, as if my pain amused him. "Oh, come on. No man is going to settle for someone like you. Not Prince. Not anyone. You're just-"
"Last I checked," I snapped, cutting him off, "a fool once got on his knees, begged for my love, and promised me the world just to get what you're calling 'useless' now."
For the first time, his smirk faltered.
"The real fool was you," he said, recovering quickly. "You were dumb enough to believe me. We're all the same, Varie. You should've known better."
His words shattered me. I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. My tears choked me, and the memories-the good ones, the ones that used to make me smile-now felt like poison.
"Why are you even here, Luke? To torment me? To remind me how stupid I was to love you?"
"Love?" he scoffed. "You think that was love? It was nothing, Val. Nothing. I was with Kamsy from the start."
I froze.
"Kamsy? From the start? The Kamsy I introduced you to?!" My voice cracked with fury. "Was I nothing to you? Just a... just a toy?"
"You chose to be one," he said, shrugging unapologetically.
I slapped him before I even realized what I was doing.
"Get out," I said through clenched teeth.
He glared at me, his hand on his cheek. For a moment, I thought he might hit me back, but instead, he laughed-a cold, hollow laugh.
"You're pathetic, Varie."
"Stop calling me that!" I shouted, slamming the door in his face and locking it.
"Valerie!" he shouted, banging on the door.
I slid down to the floor, leaning against the door as tears streamed down my face.
"Valerie, open this door! Please!"
I covered my ears, ignoring his shouts.
"You're a bitch! The ugliest, dumbest-"
His voice faded as he finally walked away.
I sat there, trembling, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces.