Skylar’s heart sank as she watched Christopher and Maisy, their hands intertwined so casually, so comfortably. The sight sent a wave of bitterness through her. She had once believed in the promise of their future together, clung to the hope that they could build something real. But now, standing there in the mall, she could see how easily he had moved on. And with Maisy. The woman who had always lurked in the background, waiting for her chance. It stung more than anything she had ever felt before.
Skylar’s eyes narrowed as she stood still, watching them, the anger she had buried deep inside finally bubbling to the surface. She had fought so hard for their relationship, tried to prove her worth to him, only for him to cast her aside so effortlessly. And for what? For Maisy? The woman who had been nothing but a shadow in their lives, now stepping into the spotlight as though she had every right to be there?
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The money, the betrayal, the lies, they all flooded back to her. But this sight? This was the final blow. It was too much to bear. The image of them, so perfect together, was a sharp contrast to the image of herself that had once believed in him, believed in their future.
Christopher’s voice echoed in her mind. His words, “I love you,” so empty now, so false. It hurt even more knowing that all those promises had been nothing more than fleeting words. He was with Maisy, and Skylar was nothing but a forgotten chapter in his life. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. She had been foolish to think they could be something more, that he could be different.
Maisy turned her head slightly, noticing Skylar standing there, but she didn’t react the way Skylar expected. There was no guilt, no hesitation — just confusion, as if Skylar’s presence didn’t even matter. The coldness of the moment hit her hard, but Skylar remained composed. She didn’t flinch, didn’t let the sting of the situation show on her face. She had learned to hide her emotions, to mask the hurt.
Without saying a word, Skylar took out her phone. She raised it to her eye level and snapped a photo of the two of them. The click of the camera was sharp and final. This moment would be captured, and it would serve as a reminder. Not of the pain they had caused her, but of the power she was starting to take back. There was no turning back now.
She stared at the photo for a brief moment, the anger and betrayal surging inside her. But then, she deleted it. She didn’t need to keep it. The image was already etched in her mind. The memory would be enough.
Skylar turned and walked away, the echo of her footsteps the only sound in her ears. She didn’t care that Christopher was with Maisy, didn’t care that they looked so happy together. They could have their moment, but she was done. She was done with the lies, the manipulation, and the pain he had caused her. It was time for her to take control. Time to stop being a passive participant in her own life.
Christopher and Maisy could live in their own world, but Skylar was going to live in hers. And from now on, she would make her own way — one that didn’t include him.
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