episode 4: Whispers of a Shattered Heart

... Whispers of a Shattered Heart...

Scarlett barely moved from her bed. Days blurred into nights, and the once lively girl now felt like a shadow of herself. The echoes of Valen’s words played in her mind—“Things won’t work out between us.” The pain was unbearable, a deep, hollow ache that refused to fade.

Lily was the only one who visited her. She would sit beside Scarlett, holding her hand, whispering reassurances. “You’ll be okay, Scarlett. I promise.” But Scarlett wasn’t sure if she ever would be.

Still, Lily couldn’t just watch her friend suffer. She picked up her phone and hesitated before texting Valen.

Lily: She’s not doing well. I know you said it wouldn’t work, but… she really loves you. Can’t you at least talk to her?

Valen read the message, but he didn’t reply.

The Storm Named Stella

A week passed, and Scarlett remained in her room, but the quiet was soon disrupted.

Stella had returned to the city, and the moment she found out what had happened, an unfamiliar anger surfaced within her. She stormed into Scarlett’s house, her voice sharp and accusing.

“So, this is what’s happening while I was gone?” Stella crossed her arms, glaring at both Lily and Scarlett. “You both left me out of everything! You didn’t even tell me about Valen!”

Scarlett lifted her tired eyes, confusion laced in her gaze. “Stella, it wasn’t—”

“You didn’t even think to talk to me about it?” Stella’s voice was laced with bitterness. “I thought we were best friends, Scarlett! But I guess I was wrong.”

Lily frowned, stepping in. “This isn’t about you, Stella. Scarlett’s hurting.”

But Stella wasn’t listening. Deep down, jealousy festered. She didn’t want Scarlett to have a boyfriend, didn’t want things to change. She wanted to be the center of Scarlett’s world. And now? Scarlett had shut her out, choosing Lily and Valen instead.

Instead of comforting Scarlett, Stella only made her feel worse.

A Message from the Past

One night, as Scarlett lay in bed, her phone buzzed. Her heart stopped when she saw the name.

Valen: I want us to be friends.

Her fingers trembled as she read the message.

Valen: I don’t want to lose you completely. Can we at least keep talking?

Despite everything, Scarlett couldn’t ignore him. Her heart still longed for him.

Scarlett: Okay.

Their conversations started slow—casual, careful. But as the days passed, something changed.

Valen started saying things that made Scarlett’s heart race again.

"I don’t want Lily or my ex anymore. I only want you, Scarlett."

"I love you now. I won’t break your trust again."

"Please… be with me."

Scarlett hesitated. She had heard these words before, but the love she had for him was overpowering. What if he changes his mind? But what if he really meant it this time?

Despite her fears, she agreed.

And just like that, they were together again.

An Uneasy Peace

The anger Stella once felt slowly faded, but something about her was different. She accepted their relationship on the surface, but deep inside, something darker stirred.

For now, peace settled over them. But peace never lasted long.

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