Chapter 32~THE LAST CALL

Chapter 32~THE LAST CALL
~Cherry’s POV

I rushed into the bathroom, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. Something stuck in my throat made it hard to breathe. What was I even expecting? For a second, I wanted to believe it could work… but how naive. Me and Nathan could never work. It was only a matter of time before we broke apart, sooner or later. Turns out it was sooner.

I didn’t understand why my chest hurt this much. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm down, then forced myself back to the dining room.

And then Nathan grabbed my hand in front of everyone. My phone slipped from my fingers. I froze.
“What are you doing?” I whispered, trying to pull away, but his grip was tight.
“I’m dating Cherry,” he announced, wrapping his arm around my waist, “so stop all this proposing nonsense.”

The room exploded. My mom choked on her drink. Mr. Hyde covered his mouth in shock. Everyone reacted in their own way.
“You must be out of your mind!” Mr. Jones, Nathan’s father, thundered as he stood.
“Nathan!” my mom gasped, her eyes wide, staring at how he refused to let go of me.

But Nathan didn’t care. He dragged me outside while everyone stared.

The moment we were out, I yanked my hand free.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snapped, glaring at him.
“I can’t let them force me, Cherry. I’ll protect you. I’m not marrying Tasha—”
“You’re crazy!” I cut him off, trying to walk away.

But he grabbed my wrist, pulled me back, and pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was hungry, desperate. He panted heavily between breaths.

I wanted to resist, to shove him off, but it was so hard, so painfully hard. My heart wanted him, but I forced myself to push him back. He looked weak, broken.
“You’ve lost your mind,” I whispered, breathless.
“What do you want me to do, Cherry? I can’t let you go. It’s too late for me.” He reached for my hands, his eyes trembling with something close to fear.

It hurt to look at him like that. I was falling apart inside, but I needed to act tough. Slowly, I slipped off the couple ring he gave me, my chest ripping open as I placed it in his palm.
“No, Cherry. Don’t do this,” he begged, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe it.
“We have to. What we had… it was the brightest days of my life.” I forced a smile, but my voice broke.

“Cherry, no!”

But I turned and walked away, leaving him staring at the ring, frozen in disbelief.

I jumped into a taxi, tears streaming down my face the whole ride. Leaving Nathan was the hardest thing I had ever done. And deep down, I didn’t know if I would ever heal.

When I reached Belinda’s place, she hugged me without a word, like she already understood.
“It’s okay, Cherry,” she whispered, wiping my tears.
“Belinda!” I sobbed, clinging to her.
“You’re safe now,” she soothed, holding me tighter.

We sat on the couch until my crying slowed.
“I broke up with Nathan,” I finally said.
“You have to be lying!” Belinda sat forward, stunned.
“I was stupid to think it could work. I’m so naive.” I forced a smile, but it felt empty.

Belinda hugged me again.
“Did Nathan tell you to do this?”
“He’s marrying Tasha.”
“What?!” she almost shouted.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t deserve him anyway.”

“Are you kidding me? Nathan’s a dick! How could he do this?”
“It’s not him. I broke it off. He told everyone we’re dating at dinner! He’s insane.”
Belinda’s jaw dropped. “Then he must really love you, Cherry. Why are you giving up so soon? I know how much you love him.”
“You don’t get it. You didn’t see everyone’s faces when he said that. I can’t risk destroying both our families. I can’t ruin his career. And no one’s on my side, not even my mom.”

Belinda pulled me close. “Well, I’m on your side.”
“I know, dummy,” I smiled weakly. “Can I stay here tonight? I don’t want to go home.”
“Of course, girl.”

We talked for a while, though my mom kept calling nonstop. Maybe she wanted to know where I was, or maybe she wanted to confirm what Nathan had said. Either way, I ignored her.

Then my phone rang again, this time, Nathan’s name lit up the screen. My heart pounded just seeing it. Belinda looked at me.
“Answer it,” she urged.

My hands felt heavy, but I picked up.

“I can’t give up on you, Cherry,” Nathan’s voice cracked after a long silence.
“Nathan…”
“You shouldn’t have answered,” he breathed, almost broken.
“Fine, then I’ll hang up—”
“I love you, Cherry. So much that I’m losing myself without you. I don’t think I can live without you…”

My chest caved in, but I forced the words out.
“I’m sorry, Nathan. This is the last call I’ll ever take from you.”
And I hung up.