Authors Note:

So another update this week. You all can thank my terrible sleep schedule. I can't seem to sleep for longer than 3 hours, and even then, it's poor sleep. Slight shit going down in this chapter. The real shit feast won't happen for a long while. I don't own anything but Lily.

Astilbe

Lily POV

(January 6th, 2004)

I found myself growing closer to Allison, the more time we spent together. She was energetic, fun, and so kind and always welcoming me with open arms. She became almost like a mother to me. She was the mother I always wanted. I found myself growing closer to Sam, as well. He didn't say much but just seemed content to sit and listen to me. I noticed he would always lean forward and pay closer attention when I talked as if I was telling him some secret of the universe. He would also chime in when he needed to, but he was mostly quiet. He seemed to talk more with his eyes as they shifted with every mood change, and every little comment I would make. He seemed to hover around me, always checking me over and making sure I was alright, which I first found strange and a bit annoying at first, but the longer I was around him, I started to find it endearing. For instance, I burnt myself on the oven when I was taking out a casserole. He was immediately by my side and rushing me over to the sink to take the pain of the burn away. I felt my body rush with heat that day, and it wasn't from the burn.

The downside of the feelings of drawing closer to Sam was the feeling that I was betraying Leah. Even though I had no reason to feel that way. Every time I hung out with her, now I was comforting her from the pain she was in. She was sure that the end was coming and she didn't know if she could stand the pain. She tried to keep up hope, but that was diminishing every day. She felt her heart shatter every time he avoided her. There was a pain in her soul when they were together, he had this distance look in his eyes like he was imaging being somewhere else and perhaps with someone else. I tried to console her the best I could, but I knew my words were not fixing the damage he was causing. I just didn't know how to fix this, and it made me sadder every time I tried to figure out how. I was keeping up hope that this was just a rough patch, and they would reunite soon, but something told me that this wasn't the case. Yet something in the back of my mind was saying there was nothing I could do.

"Dad, do you want some coffee?" I asked as I saw him come down in his day off clothes. Sweat pants and a Seattle Seahawks sweatshirt. It was too cold to go fishing unless they wanted to go ice fishing, which they often liked to do. I never knew exactly the draw of sitting on a frozen lake, hoping to catch something. But today, dad was sticking around the house, avoiding the freezing temperature. So we both had slept in. Preferring our warm beds to the cold wooden floors and the chill that seemed to permeate through the air even with the heat on.

"That sounds great, Lily. Are you making yourself a cup too?" He responded, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and rubbing his mustache. He had recently begun growing out a mustache, which I just commented he was starting to look like a real cop.

"No, today is a perfect hot chocolate day."

With a chuckle, he said. "You and that hot chocolate. Do you remember how you would plead for me to make it every time it snowed? I was surprised you didn't get cavities from how much you drank it."

I laughed in response. "I have you to thank for perfect teeth."

"So what are you doing today. Hopefully not going to La Push. The roads are too dangerous to go today, at least in my option. It also doesn't help that flashy car is a rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel. Still say you should trade it in." He grumbled, saying the last comment under his breath.

"I've been considering it, dad. I think a Subaru would be a better car for the amount I drive. Besides, I've gotten used to driving the mustang, especially after having it for so long." I really had been thinking about trading in the mustang, even though it was my baby, I needed a more reliable car.

Dad nodded his head energetically. Happy with my idea. "We can go in a couple weeks to look for one Lily. I'll come with you to make sure you don't get screwed over at the dealership."

I smiled with an appreciative smile. Dad was always looking out for me and always been my confidant. Most people would find that strange, but he was the one that knew all my secrets. Well, all except the feeling I have been feeling for Sam. No one knew that I had those feeling, and no one would. They were just because he was an extremely handsome man who was kind to me. There was no substance behind them.

"Sounds great, dad. By the way, how did Bella like her book that I sent." I queried.

"I'm not sure she never responded. But I'm sure she loved it. You spent weeks debating what book to get her."

I smiled. I really had tried to reach out to Bella more through gifts and letters, but I rarely ever got responses, but I just chalked that up to her being busy hanging out with friends and focusing on school. Renée's and I's relationship, however, had begun to dwindle again. She had apparently found herself a young boyfriend and was spending all her time focusing on him. This time I found myself not upset because I had Allison; she was the one I felt that motherly connection with. I heard the coffee maker finish its job and poured dad a mug.

"How's work going, Lily? You've survived your first year. We should have celebrated, sorry we were too busy." Dad said, while shaking his head.

"It's alright dad, It's been going great. I'm much more confident in my abilities. I've made friends with most everybody I'm working with." I replied.

"Well, that's good. And how is the knitting lessons going?"

My face lit up. "It's going fantastic. Allison has really been wonderful."

Dad beamed back at me. "I've noticed you've had a bigger smile every time you come back from hanging out there. You've also been cooking some excellent food recently, not that your food wasn't already great."

"We've been sharing recipes; she's even been teaching me her grandmother's recipes." Also, along with Sam's favorite foods for some reason. However, Sam has been thrilled whenever I made my burgers. He would claim that they were the best thing since sliced bread.

"That's nice, Lily. She must really like you."

"I think so," I said while taking a sip of my hot chocolate.

We sat in silence for a while. Just enjoying the quiet peace. Dad was the first to break the silence. "Do you want to watch the game with me? The Seahawks are going against the Cowboys. Or are you going to go work on something else?"

I thought it over. I would rather spend time with my dad, then do anything else. It had been too long since we were both together. Besides, I haven't been able to watch a game since the start of the season. "Dad, I can do both," I said, laughing. "I'll pay half attention to the game and work on sketching. I've had these strange dreams that are plaguing my mind. Maybe if I sketch them out, they go away." Waiting a moment, then added the comment "20 bucks that the Cowboys win."

"What kinda dreams? Also, I'm offended. I raised you in a Seahawks house. You're on, don't cry to badly when I win." He said gasping as if I had punched him in the gut."

Taking "I don't know. I'm trapped in the forest and can't get out, next thing I know I'm falling down a rabbit hole like Alice." I didn't say the rest of my dream, I know he wouldn't want to hear it. Dad had always been overprotective of me, never wanting me to date; the fact he's the chief of police never helped my dating life either. Getting back to my dream, just before I hit the ground, I'm caught by a man, but I can never tell who it is. I can only tell it is a man through an outline. But he is warm and towers over me. From there, he leads me to the light into a forest with the sight of a waterfall and crystal clear water. I would look back to see who it was, but he would just disappear. "I'm definitely going to win, so far the Cowboys have been undefeated, it's an easy way to win 20 bucks."

Dad took a moment absorbing the details of my dream. "I'm sure it's just a phase, your dreams will change soon. Now getting back to the game, just watch the Seahawks will pull through and crush the Cowboys."

"Yeah, you're right, dad, about my dreams, of course, not about the game, though." I grinned a wide grin.

We finished our drinks, and I bolted up the stairs to grab my sketchbook and charcoals. I didn't want to miss kick-off. I also changed into a warmer sweater, It was a black knit sweater that Allison had made me for Christmas. I envied the speed that she had when it came to knitting. Also, the fact that the sweater looked so professional, I was still having issues dropping stitches and adding more. This sweater was also becoming my favorite as it keeps me warm, warmer than any other sweater I have. But ever since I started hanging around Allison and Sam, the cold had really started to affect me. I just didn't seem to be warm unless I was there. I went downstairs to see dad pulling out a beer.

"Isn't 1:00 PM too early to have a beer? Especially after having coffee." I said, raising my eyebrow as I walked to the cabinets and pulled out a chip bag.

"It's tradition, can't watch the game without a beer. Some wings or even Harry's fish fry would make the game perfect." He replied while sitting down on his recliner. I just poured the chips into a bowl and then headed over to sit on the couch.

Placing the chips on the coffee table. "Well, unfortunately, we're out of those things, but you can have some chips."

"I suppose that will do." He sarcastically grumbled.

I just laughed. It was the best thing about dad. He always made me laugh. We fell into a silence watching the game. But soon enough, dad started yelling at the TV when he disagreed with the refs call or when there was a clear foul that wasn't being called. I knew if Billy or Harry was here, they would be joining in with the complaints. I paid slight attention but was mainly focused on my sketch. Time passed quickly, and it was half time before I knew it. Dad went and grabbed another beer, clearly annoyed with the poor playing by the Hawks.

"Seems like I'm going to win the bet," I called over my shoulder.

"There's still another half and their only down 3. They can pull it around."

"If you say so. I still say they're going to lose."

Dad playfully glared at me. "Hush you."

While we got back into the game. I looked at the clock. It was almost 2:30, and I could help but feel a wave of dread pass over me.

Leah POV

(January 6th, 2004)

It was cold. It was miserable. The weather matched my feeling perfectly. Nothing was making sense. How could we be so happy just four months ago and now everything was falling apart. I looked at my ring. It was the beginning of a promise of love forever. It was meaningless now. Everything was meaningless. I fell into the same routine. Get up. Go to work. Come home. Get lost in my thoughts. Why did it change? What changed? Was it me? Was I not perfect enough for him anymore? Was there someone else? These questions ran through my head, they've been running around since he changed. I didn't even have the energy to get mad anymore, but resentment was still going strong. A knock brought me out of my self-loathing and questioning.

"Leah, you should wake up. It's almost 1 in the afternoon. Want to watch the game with me? It'll be good to take your mind off things." It was my dad. He was the one who was trying the hardest to help me move on. But he didn't understand I just can't. I can't until I got answers. Dad knew these answers, but he wouldn't tell me.

"Alright, just give me a minute." I didn't want to get up. I wanted to lay here forever. Never face the world again. But I had to try. I got out of bed. I looked around my small room. I looked at the photographs that lined the wood walls. There were pictures of Lily and me. She had been my support system through all of this. Helping me channel my anger and the rage I felt every time I said Sam's name or saw his face. Besides, these photos were pictures of Sam. I should have taken them down, but I kept up hope he would change back to my Sam. Not this distant Sam. Sighing, I walk out of my room. I could smell my mom, making my dad's fish fry. For some reason, that smell made me sick, sick because I knew how much Sam loved it. Seth was already sitting on the couch when I joined him.

"Leah, nice to see you join the world for once." Seth didn't understand the pain I was in. He though jokes would immediately change my perspective.

"Yeah, Yeah," I said back to him. I didn't care about football, like my dad and Seth did. But I needed something to numb my mind.

"Leah, do you want some food? I heard my mom say as she put a hand on my shoulder. She was walking on eggshells around me. It made me even sadder and pissed off.

"I'm fine, mom. Maybe later." This was a lie. My appetite was gone. We all knew this.

The game started, and it truly numbed my mind. I didn't understand football. I never cared to. Sam always enjoyed watching sports, but I just found them stupid and annoying. Maybe I should have paid more attention to what he liked and actually tried. If I attempted more, would it have made Sam happier? There was nothing I could do, that is what I understood. I knew if he came back to himself, I would actually try more to do what he liked. I would never take him for granted. I saw my dad look over at me. He had a sad look on his face as if he could read my mind. Like he knew the future, and it was one that didn't include me being happy.

When the world came back into focus, I noticed it was half time. Had I really been numb for that long? There was a knock on the back door. It wasn't loud, it was soft. Dad got up and headed to the door. I could only stare at the back of his head, not knowing who was there. The mood of the room shifted, it became grim and the cold set even more, and it wasn't from the open door. Dad said something quietly; all I could hear was, "Are you sure you're ready?" I didn't understand what was going on. There was a silent moment, and dad slowly nodded his head. "Leah," He paused. "Come here." I slowly rose from the couch. The room had become freezing. I walked dragging my feet, not wanting to know who it was. At that moment, I knew. It was Sam.

Sam POV

(January 6th, 2004)

I had decided it was time. It was time to end this. It was time to break free and try and start anew. I shifted back and pulled on my shorts. Running my hand through my new short hair. I had finally cut it, it was making the coat of my fur too long, but there was another reason. It was a symbol, it was a symbol of a fresh start. Leah had always loved my long hair, but now I needed to be a new man and not be stuck in the past.

I had grown closer to Ana. I would overhear her talking to my mom, and my heart would race. They would never talk about the in-depth details that I needed so badly, so I knew her fully, but I wanted to discover those on my own. I wanted us to be entirely free to tell each other everything. I did learn the little things. The things that most people would find dumb or trivial, but to me, they were everything. I learned that her favorite color was red, and her favorite food was any kind of pasta. She loved her dad and Leah more than anything in the world, that statement killed me. Her work was the thing that brought her the most joy, being able to help others was the reason that she believed she was born. I found that made me smile, she cared about others more than herself, she was selfless and brave. I took a deeper look at her every time she came over. She blushed a lot, but she would always try not to or tried to hide it, I found that charming.

I couldn't help my mind from going to the gutter and wondering if I could make her flush in other ways. After all, I was a man so that I couldn't notice that her body was made perfect for me. She was short, much shorter than me, that's true, but it made my wolf even more protective of her. Her chest wasn't large, but it was more than enough for me, but it was her hips that made me stop and stare. They were wide and full and fit perfectly on her long legs. But although her body was enough to make me lose my mind, it was what was inside her head that drew me closer. I needed to get back to my mission, not stand in the forest wondering what the future would hopefully hold.

The worst thing that came with Ana was that she was working with the enemy. I had never smelt them on her, but I knew she was in close contact with the leader. Her working with them would cause problems for us. Yet, I cannot control her life and tell her to stop the thing that is the reason she was born. But my wolf raged every time she brought up his name.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the back door. I thanked the spirits that the Clearwaters' house was pretty isolated. Something told me that this was not going to be pretty, and it was rightfully so. I hit on the door, not too hard just loud enough to be heard. It was Harry that opened the door. I took a deep breath.

"Sam." He said quietly.

"Harry. I'm here to see Leah." I replied, staring him in the eye. I was slightly upset about what I was about to do, but I wasn't ashamed. Something told me that I was about to open my world.

With a sigh, he responded, "You've chosen to accept."

"I have. I can no longer deny my feelings. I can no longer fight my wolf. I'm sorry. I know that this is not how we wished it would end."

"You do not control your fate: man plans, but the spirits laugh. I do not hold any ill will towards you. This is what must be done for both you and her. She will move on and find love again. You will find love in the arms of Liliana. But the road ahead will be rocky. It will challenge everything you hold true." He took a moment and asked the final question, "Are you sure you're ready?"

I could only nod.

"Leah." He paused. "Come here."

I took a deep breath and tried to review everything that I had planned to say. I saw her, and I no longer saw her as I once did. Where Ana was an ethereal light, the sun shined every time she smiled. It did not mean that Leah was no less beautiful; however, she no longer looked like I once saw her. I took a deep breath I fully noticed that Leah was thin and had bags under her eyes. I had broken her, and I felt my heart tear, I never wanted this to happen. I never wanted to hurt her like this.

"Sam." She said with a sad tone in her voice

"Leah," I replied with a serious voice, it didn't want to play around. I needed to say what I had to say, no matter how painful it will be. It was going to be like ripping a Band-Aid, hopefully.

"What are you doing here, you've been avoiding me for weeks."

"I have to talk to you."

She took a deep breath, I saw firelight in her eyes. I knew I was in trouble, this was going to end badly and messily. "So, I'm guessing you're finally getting the balls to end it with me."

With a nod, I responded, "I am."

In a quiet tone, almost to quiet for me to hear her. "Why?"

"It is no longer working, Leah. We are no longer happy together. I'm tired of us being unhappy. We deserve to be happy." Putting emphasis on the word happy.

Her voice began to raise, "Whose to say I'm unhappy with you. You're my life."

I had to keep my calm tone. "Leah, look at yourself. You're wasting away. Us being together is hurting you."

"That's your fault, Sam." Her voice got louder

"It's both our faults Leah. We've dragged this on longer than it should."

Dropping her voice back down to a whisper, "Is there another woman?"

I couldn't lie. She didn't deserve any more lies. "Yes."

She exploded, all the rage that she had been holding back. All the sadness turned into anger.

"Fuck you, Sam Uley. That's why you've been distant. That's why you've changed. All for another woman. What do I not mean anything anymore? Does she fuck you the same? Let me guess you've been fucking her for about four months while still seeing me. You're a fucking asshole. That's why you were missing for two weeks so you can be with her. There was no extra work from the council. You've just been skirting off to her."

I paused before I answered, "It's not like that, Leah. I'm not even with her. Yes, I've fallen in love with her, but I'm not together with her. I've only accepted my feeling for her a month ago. I tried to fight it, I really did, but I just can't do it anymore. You deserve better."

"Oh, but you want to have her. You rather have some fucking new thing than me. What did you get tired of the old model and want to trade it in for something new."

I stared at her, not raising my voice. "It's not like that, Leah. I'm sorry this happened, but I won't keep us trapped in a relationship."

"That's not good enough. Who is it, huh? Some fucking slut from Forks? I've seen how you stare at Lily. Maybe you want a different flavor of woman. I bet that's what it is."

My body started to vibrate with that comment. But I calmed myself, it's just her jumping to the conclusion. "Leah. It's over, I'm sorry. You will always have a place in my heart. But you no longer hold it. There's obvious that there is nothing I can say to make these better, but I hope we can be friends one day."

She walked up to me and cold-cocked me in the jaw. Whirling away, she left with one last comment. "That's fucking bullshit. I'll say this, never fucking talk to me again, Samuel Uley. I swear if I ever see you again, I'll shoot your fucking ass. I better not figure out or ever see who you've left me for, or I'll kill her on sight. Stay away from Lily, she won't forgive you either. Just know this. I will always hate you, and I will never forgive you for this." With that, she slammed the door closed.

Sighing, I walked away while rubbing my jaw. Reminding myself that this had to be done, and it will all work out in the end. The only thing I hope is that Ana would forgive me for this.

Lily POV

(March 25th, 2004)

I was meeting with Allison today. I had been slightly avoiding her house and having her come visit me in Forks instead so that I wouldn't have to run into Sam. But today, she was sick, so I was taking her some soup and have our weekly catch up. I knew I shouldn't even be associating with her, but I didn't have the strength to cut her out of my life. Leah didn't know that I was still seeing her, and I wasn't ready to tell her. Ever since Sam ended their engagement, Leah had become a fuming ball of hate. She would snap at everything and anything, even me. Because of this, I found that we had started to hang out less. I couldn't take the negativity even though I know I should be there for her. It made me feel like a shitty friend, but I didn't know how to help, and every time I tried, she would just tell me to get out. She said she could barely stand to look at me because she was sure that Sam had left her for another white girl. I kept saying she had no proof of this, but Leah would just reply that she knew it was true. I sighed as I pulled into the familiar drive, I noticed that Sam's truck was in the driveway, so I knew I would be running into him, which made me bubble up with nerves.

I didn't necessarily hate him, but I was extremely angry with him. He could have been softer in the breakup. But then I would remind myself that this was Leah, I doubt it would have gone any better than it had. I also couldn't find it in me to hate him, I tried to tell myself that I didn't have a close relationship with him, so I didn't know him enough to hate him. Every time I tried to hate him, I would get angry at myself, which made absolutely no damn sense. So I just settled on being pissed. I took a cigarette out of the pack and lit it up. I needed the strength of nicotine to get through seeing him.

A croaking and raspy voice yelled at me from the front porch. "Liliana! Get that cancer sticks out of your mouth."

I almost dropped the cigarette on myself from the shock of the sudden yelling. I turned to see Allison, wrapped up in a blue blanket with bleary red eyes and a red nose. She was looking at me with a disappointed look. "Allison, you should be inside."

"I'll go inside as soon as you take that cigarette out of your mouth—nasty things. You need to stop before you really damage your lungs. You, as a nurse, should know this."

"How did you even know I was smoking?"

"I heard your car pull up, but you didn't come in automatically. So I figured you were practicing your terrible habit." She said with a shake of her head.

I sighed; there was no way she was going to let me smoke peacefully. She was the main person against me smoking. So I decided to just accept my fate and put out my cigarette. I then tossed the pack into the passenger seat and figured I would just smoke when I leave.

"Alright, I'm coming." I opened the back seat and pulled out the container of soup.

"There now was that so hard." Yes, yes, it was. I needed my nicotine fix to soothe my warring mind. But I wouldn't admit that to her.

I walked up to the front porch, and she drew me into a hug. "I told you that you didn't have to come and bring me anything."

I smiled back, Not exactly having hands to return the hug. "I knew you wouldn't have the strength to make food. So here I am."

She shook her head. "You could catch whatever I have."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

She opened the door, and I walked into the homely house, feeling a weight suddenly disappear. I headed straight to the kitchen to start heating up the Greek orzo soup. I kept my mind focused on the food, instead of worrying about where Sam was. Although I had to ask to soothe my curious mind. "So I noticed Sam's truck in the driveway. Is he here?"

"He's asleep right now. He just got off work, so he's pretty tired. He decided since I'm sick, he would stay with me to take care of me. Although he's pretty bad at it. So don't worry about having to deal with him. I know how you've been avoiding him since he broke up with Leah." She said as she sat down at the table, still having the blanket wrapped around her.

"I'm not avoiding him, I just –" my voice stopped. I didn't have a good lie as to why I did not want to see him.

"Oh, yes, you are. I don't know why, though. Just because they broke up doesn't mean you have to pick a side." She replied with a sniffle.

"I kinda have to Allison. Leah has been my best friend since we were babies, how can I not side with her."

"If you say so. I'm just saying that although it was a terrible breakup. It was for the best. "

There was a brief moment of awkwardness while we waited for the soup to heat up. But soon enough, we started talking about what had happened during the week and the new gossip in La Push and Forks.

"I heard that Shelly Cope is leaving her husband," I said as I spooned the soup into the bowls.

"She's the secretary at Forks High, right?"

"Yep, Apparently she caught him on the kitchen table with her sister."

"No way you're kidding." She replied with a shocked face.

"It was an extreme blow-up, pretty nasty." I nodded.

Allison shook her head, "Well, that's just awful."

"Right," I said in agreement.

We settled into eating, comfortable silence surrounding us. It seemed like only moments when I heard the creaking of floorboards and a familiar deep voice call out.

"What smells so great mom, I thought you were sick? Are you feeling better?"

I squeaked. This is what I was afraid of. I wouldn't have come if I knew I would have to face him.

"Liliana brought us some food." It was clear I had made enough for Sam when I made the food.

He walked fully into the kitchen. I began becoming absorbed in staring at him. He was shirtless, only wearing red plaid pajama pants. He had rippling muscles and a defined six-pack. He had that all so sexy V cut. I had to tear my eyes away and shake my head to stop imagining what the V lead to. Roaming up, I noticed his arms were cut and bulging with muscles, but something was newly applied. It was a circular tribal tattoo, and for some reason, I had the urge to run my fingers over it. I ripped my eyes away again and noticed that his hair was now short, and it only made enchanting and intimating eyes stand out. His jaw was pronounced even more, and I had to control myself to not run my tongue over it. I was absorbed nothing that I could do but stare. I came to only from a pair of fingers snapping in my face. It was Allison with a smirk on her face. But there was Sam with the eyes like a deer stuck in headlights. It was like he couldn't even believe I was here.

"Ana – what, what are you doing here." He stuttered. It confused me. A man like Sam should never be flustered.

I found myself breathless, and I responded. "I um brought food. I should probably go now." I went to stand up.

"Wait, please stay." He said pleading.

"No, really, I should go. I need to go make dinner for dad and me." It took everything in me to not say okay and stay.

"Look, I know it's awkward, but Mom has missed having your company. So just pretended I'm not even here."

I wanted to say that I just can't pretend he's not here. Because now that he was here, he was all I could think about.

"I've been here for longer than I expected Sam. Besides, I'll be back soon. Sorry, Allison. I'll see you soon." I said, walking to the door. I heard Sam coming up behind me.

I got halfway to my car when I felt a hand grab my wrist. "Look, Ana, please just come back inside."

"Stop calling me Ana. You lost that right." I said, spatting out my comment, ripping my hand away.

He stepped back as if I had shot him. "I'm sorry. Liliana. Please just listen to me."

I turned and looked him in the eye. My body willing to fall into his arms, but my mind was too angry to even think of that option. "Why should I. You broke my best friend. Do you even realize the damage you've caused."

He shook his head as if he was clearing his thoughts. "Look, it's not what I wanted to do. I just couldn't continue the lie. Please believe me."

I spun around. "Don't you dare lie to me, Samuel Uley. I know your mother taught you not to lie, and yet here you are doing it."

"Look, Liliana, I can't explain the exact reason right now, but I'm not lying. I never wanted to hurt Leah. I can't help what happened."

I scoffed, "Oh really, you just magically found a new woman that you were so absorbed with that you threw away three years of 'true' love for."

He shook his head and looked deeply into my eyes. "It's not that, Liliana. I know what I want, and it doesn't lie with Leah anymore. My life has taken a new direction. I will always regret hurting her, but I can't hold back my feelings anymore."

"And what does this new direction entail. Obviously, it's a delusion. Also, at least be kind and tell me who you left the woman you claimed to love for three years."

He took a deep breath and grabbed my hand. "It's you, Ana. I've fallen for you. I won't say I'm sorry because I believe you are my soul mate."

I staggered back as if he punched me dead in the face. A thousand lightning bolts struck me. I felt my face go red in rage. "What the literal fuck? Are you on drugs? Be serious, are you fucking with me. This is a joke. It has to be some sick joke. You know nothing about me, and yet here you are, claiming to love me. What kind of bullshit is this?"

"It's not a joke, Ana. I would never joke about something so serious. I know that I don't know you that well, but I know enough to know my feeling are genuine. I'm just saying to give this a chance. I know you feel this connection too, you have to."

I seethed, "I feel nothing for you, Sam Uley. I feel nothing but anger. You are a despicable man. How dare you destroy my best friend and claim these artificial feelings."

He reeled back, "These feelings are real Ana. I swear to you. Just give me a chance. Please give me one chance."

I got closer to his face and felt my body explode in anger. I was vibrating. I was almost at the point of shouting. "Stop calling me that. I told you I'm not your Ana. I'm not anything to you. I want you to erase me from your thoughts and go back to where you belong."

His eye looked pained. "I don't belong with Leah anymore. I feel at home with you."

I had enough. I couldn't stand here and listen to this shit anymore. I walked away, but I paused and turned around. I quickly raised my knee and collided it straight into his balls. "Stay the fuck away from me, Samuel Uley. I won't tell Leah about this. But you need to get checked. You've clearly got a fucking screw loose."

After that, I got in my car, and as I drove away, I saw Sam sitting in the dirt with a face that depicted a broken heart.

Well, there you guys go—tons of things to unpack in this chapter. I only hope I did these scenes justice. Go and comment if you want.