C07
“You have dialed an invalid number…”
Two weeks had passed since Helen had blocked Chase.
The diamond ring he had bought her now felt like a cruel joke, its edges worn from how tightly he clutched it. He had scoured countless stores across the country to find the perfect one–a symbol of a love he had convinced even
himself was real.
He could still remember Helen’s joy when he gave it to her.
“Chase, in this life and the next, you’re mine,” she had whispered, her arms wrapped around him.
“As long as you want,” he had replied, kissing her forehead.
But it had all been an act. A flawless performance. Now, that act was unraveling.
What infuriated him more was Adam’s involvement. When Adam handed him the divorce papers, Chase had
refused to believe it. He tore the documents to shreds, his mind racing.
“What’s your relationship with Helen? Who are you to do this on her behalf?” Chase had demanded, his voice laced with anger.
Adam’s cold gaze didn’t waver. “She’ll never see you again. You should know why. We’ll see you in court in a
month.”
Without giving Chase a chance to respond, Adam turned and left. Chase was left in his empty apartment,
consumed by disbelief.
“She’s just trying to provoke me,” he muttered to himself, reaching for a bottle of wine. But deep down, he knew
the truth.
Grace’s name popped up on his phone, breaking his thoughts.
“Chase, why haven’t you replied? Are you still hung up on Helen?”
Her voice, once sweet and comforting, now grated on him.
“Nothing’s wrong. Don’t worry about me,” he said dismissively.
“No, you need to come over. My heart’s been acting up again.”
Chase sighed. Grace’s health was fragile, but he couldn’t ignore the growing sense of resentment toward her.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll come by later.”
Hanging up, he slipped the diamond ring back into its box, locking away whatever pity remained in his heart.nHe needed to find Helen. Because no matter what, he couldn’t let her slip away completely.
A thought struck him then, and he hurried to his computer. Logging into Grace’s social media, he scrolled
through her photos, dread pooling in his stomach. The name that appeared under every photo confirmed his worst
fears.