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Only good enough for a quick fuck and ditch. I’ll never be enough for more.

Bile rises in my throat, and I have to fight the urge to be sick. No. This. Is. Not. Happening. It’s a dream, right? A bad dream.

I squeeze my eyes shut. I will wake up now. Any moment.

A tear rolls down my cheek. This is not a dream.

I’ve let myself believe in empty promises and pretty words. Chris got what he wanted, and now he’s gone. I’ve beenso stupid.

On autopilot, I gather my clothes and get dressed. My limbs feel heavy, my movements sluggish, but I force myself to keep going. I grab the blindfold, my fingers curling around the silky fabric. I should throw it away, forget this ever happened. But something stops me.

Maybe it’s the memory of his touch, the way he made me feel. Or maybe it’s the tiny flicker of hope that this isn’t the end. That he’ll come back and explain everything.

I tuck the blindfold into my purse, along with the crumpled note. A reminder of the night that changed everything. And a promise to myself to never make that mistake again. I have to get out of here. Away from this place, away from the memories. Away from him.

But not even my apartment offers comfort. I collapse onto the couch, hot tears spilling down my cheeks as the full impact of Chris leaving hits me. Tearing tissue after tissue from the box beside me, I give no thought to the growing pile of crumpled wads surrounding me.

Why would he do this? If I wasn’t enough for him, why lead me on at all? Take my virginity and then discard me like yesterday’s trash? To be fair, he didn’t know. But still. All those hours we spent talking. All those days, I didn’t pay attention to any other guy because he is… was my crush.

The thought makes me sick all over again. I grab another tissue, blowing my nose as tears keep coming and coming.

What did I do to deserve this?

Why doesn’t anyone want me?

Am I so unlovable? Annoying?

I bury my face in my hands, chest heaving.

When will I ever learn?

The door creaks open, and I glimpse up with blurry eyes. Gemma. Concern creases her brow as she takes in the sight before her: tissues scattered everywhere, most probably mascara tracks staining my cheeks.

She doesn’t say a word, crossing the room and wrapping me in her arms. I cling to her, fresh sobs wracking my body as she holds me close, one hand stroking my hair while the other rubs circles on my back.

“He ended it.” The words tumble out on a sob.

“I’m so sorry.” Gemma’s arms tighten around me.

“He—he left. After we…”

“What an ass. You deserve so much better. So much better.”

I shake my head. “And then… I found a note.”

“What did it say?”

“That—That he’s sorry.” I shrug, the motion jagged. “I should have known. When I asked to see him without the mask, he refused. But I was too blind. Too stupid.”

“You’re not stupid.” Gemma brushes the hair back from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “You trusted him, that’s all. He’s the one who betrayed that trust, not you.”

“But why? Why did he do this? We talked for so long, I thought…” My voice cracks. “I thought he cared.”

“I don’t know. Some people are cruel. It speaks volumes about him, not you.”

“But that’s just it, isn’t it? Maybe I… maybe I’m not worth loving, not really. Not for who I am.”

“Don’t say that. Don’t you ever say that.” Gemma grasps my hands. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”

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