Chapter 3

I stood outside Austin's apartment building, clutching a box of his gifts. My hands trembled slightly as I touched the necklace at my throat—my mother's necklace, my talisman against fear. The weight of the box felt like nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest.

Three days had passed since the birthday party disaster. Three days of silence, broken only by Austin's single text: "We need to talk."

I knew what that meant. He wanted to smooth things over, to convince me that Thea meant nothing. That I was overreacting.

But I wasn't.

I pushed open his apartment door without knocking. We'd been together long enough that I still had a key, though I'd returned it with the box of gifts.

The sound of laughter hit me first—Austin's deep chuckle and Thea's higher-pitched giggle, mingling in a way that made my stomach turn.

Then I saw them.

Austin lounged on his couch, one arm draped casually over the back. Thea was curled against his side, her legs tucked under her. They were sharing a bowl of popcorn, watching some rom-com I'd never seen.

And Thea was wearing one of Austin's oversized shirts.

My shirt. The one I'd given him for his birthday last year.

"Valeria?" Austin's eyes widened as he noticed me standing in the doorway. "I didn't hear you come in."

Thea didn't even bother to sit up straight. She just smirked, her fingers tracing lazy circles on Austin's chest.

"I brought these back," I said, my voice steadier than I expected as I placed the box on his coffee table. "They're yours. I don't want them anymore."

Austin stood up, running his fingers through his hair—his tell when he was nervous or lying. "Val, this isn't what it looks like."

"It looks like you're cuddling on your couch with another girl while wearing clothes I gave you," I said, each word precise and sharp. "What part of that should I be misinterpreting?"

Thea yawned dramatically. "God, Valeria, lighten up. We're just watching a movie."

"Then why are you wearing his shirt?" I demanded, turning to face her directly.

"Because it's comfortable," she said with a shrug, her eyes glittering with malice barely disguised as innocence. "Austin doesn't mind sharing with his friends."

Austin stepped between us. "Thea's right. You're making a big deal out of nothing."

"Nothing?" I echoed, my voice rising. "You told me you were studying the night you were at Lake Havasu with her. And the time in your mom's basement? And what about my birthday? When I was sitting alone in that restaurant?"

"Lower your voice," Austin hissed, glancing at Thea.

"Why? Afraid she'll hear the truth?"

"Valeria, stop it!" Austin's face flushed red. "You're being ridiculous and embarrassing yourself."

"Me? Embarrassing myself?" I stepped closer, anger burning away my fear. "Tell me the truth for once, Austin. Are you sleeping with her?"

Something snapped in Austin's eyes. "For God's sake!"

He grabbed my shoulders, his fingers digging in painfully as he shoved me backward. I stumbled, my heel catching on the edge of his coffee table. For a moment, I felt myself falling, suspended in air.

Then my back hit the table's edge with a sickening thud.

Pain exploded through my ribs as I crumpled to the floor. Thea's bowl of popcorn went flying, kernels scattering across the hardwood.

"Valeria!" Austin's voice seemed distant through the haze of pain.

I looked up at him, at the panic in his eyes that didn't quite reach his heart. Behind him, Thea's expression wasn't even concerned—she was watching with detached amusement, like this was some movie scene she was enjoying.

"Are you okay?" Austin asked, kneeling beside me but not quite touching me.

I pressed my palm against my ribs, wincing as I felt the tenderness blooming there.

"I'm fine," I managed, though each breath sent daggers through my chest.

"I didn't mean to push you so hard," Austin said, his tone defensive rather than apologetic. "You were being hysterical."

Hysterical. The word echoed in my head as I struggled to my feet.

"You know what?" I said slowly, gathering my dignity around me like armor. "I'm done."

"What?"

"I'm done with you, Austin. With both of you."

Thea finally spoke, her voice dripping with false concern. "Valeria, don't be dramatic. Austin didn't mean—"

"Don't," I cut her off, my finger pointed at her face. "Don't pretend you care about me."

I straightened my spine, ignoring the protest of my bruised ribs.

"We're over," I told Austin firmly. "Completely over."

"Valeria!" Austin's voice rose as I turned toward the door. "You can't just walk out like this!"

I paused with my hand on the doorknob, looking back one last time at the man I'd thought I loved—the man who'd betrayed me again and again.

"Watch me," I said quietly.

Behind me, I heard Austin's angry shout as the door closed. But I was already gone, my steps quickening as I left behind the apartment—and the relationship—that had become my prison.