Chapter 3

I once thought she genuinely loved Ashton.

That was until she smugly declared, "Sis, I’m going to take everything you have—starting with Ashton."

I brushed her off.

I had no doubt Ashton loved me.

Our bond was built on years of trust and affection.

When I was kicked out of my dorm, he rented me a penthouse apartment near campus for a year.

He remembered all my preferences, waited in line overnight for a Coachella ticket so I could get a front-row spot, and handled all the logistics for our ski trips.

All I had to do was enjoy the scenery.

I trusted him completely. Macy’s games could never shake that.

After graduation, Macy disappeared without a word.

I thought her obsession with Ashton was finally over.

Then came the photo on Instagram.

Her second year of chasing him was when things began to change.

He started looking at her differently.

Sitting in the living room that night, the air felt thick, suffocating.

Ashton buried his face in his hands, silent.

“What’s wrong with you?”

He didn’t answer, so I pressed.

“Explain last night.”

“I told you, I was working late! Why are you so jealous all the time? This is why our relationship is strained—you don’t take any responsibility for your behavior!”

I laughed, hollow and bitter.

Once, I thought Ashton was the most honest, loyal, moral man in the world.

I never checked his phone or questioned where he went. He always volunteered the details.

I realized those updates were just excuses for sneaking around with Macy.

He played on my trust, and I fell for it repeatedly.

His voice grew harsher. “Do you want me to call everyone from work right now so you can interrogate them? Would that make you happy?”

I felt drained. What was the point?

Even if I uncovered the truth, the betrayal was already a wound too deep to heal.