Hearts Divided: A Mafia Love Triangle Volume 1

Chapter 35 - Scarlett

He got to his feet and made his way over to the bar, intending to order another round for both of us. I couldn't help but worry about him driving later, but I held onto the hope that I could persuade him to take a cab back to my place afterwards. When he returned, he placed two glasses on the table before sitting down next to me and draping an arm around my shoulders. Taking a few sips of my drink, I hoped the alcohol would give me the courage to open up about something I had never shared with anyone before.

"A few years ago, I had a job at a local newspaper. Initially, I just covered mundane, everyday issues and random economic news. But then the editor-in-chief changed, and we started covering more stories, including interviews with notable people, including heroes," I explained as I watched him closely.

"During the time I was there, I also conducted such interviews. That's how I met the man who gave me this ring. We went on a few dates after our first interview and eventually became a couple for two years, until one evening when he asked me to marry him," I added.

No matter how many times I tried to erase it, the memory of that night remained vivid in my mind. It was a special occasion, his birthday, and we had chosen a cozy restaurant for some intimate celebrations. On our walk back to his place, he suddenly stopped and knelt down on one knee.

The freezing temperatures outside didn't bother me, as I have never felt more warmth and affection than I did at that moment. That night was truly unforgettable and will always hold a special place in my heart

I reclined on the couch, gazing up at the ceiling, while I replayed that unforgettable memory in my mind. Shutting my eyes, it almost felt as though I was transported back to that apartment, laying on his bed. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled the sensation of his touch. My thoughts were interrupted when Blaze scooted closer.

Letting out a sigh, I glanced down at my empty glass and carried on with my tale.

"After that, everything went haywire," I confided in him. "We were so happy, planning our dream wedding in secret. We had everything ready, just waiting to send out invitations. And the first person we wanted to share the news with was his father. That's where things went wrong," I explained, feeling his arms wrap around me and a quick kiss on my neck. It was like he was trying to give me strength to finish telling the story, as my voice was trembling.

"We went to his father's house full of excitement, and I proudly handed him the invitation. However, as soon as he read it, he started arguing with his son. The situation quickly escalated, and we had to leave before things got out of hand. We both held back from saying hurtful words, but I could feel the tension between us. When we returned home, everything he did seemed to grate on my nerves. I tried to brush it off at first and focus on finding a solution to change his father's mind. But then his phone rang, and I overheard him arguing with his dad in another room. It was then that I realized he had already planned a wedding for his son—not with me, but with someone who had a complementary superpower so they could have perfect children together," I said with a heavy heart, finishing my second drink.

"It was a sudden realization that I couldn't mend our relationship. With a heavy heart, I mustered the courage to end things with him. We spent the whole night arguing, and neither of us was willing to compromise. In the end, I stormed out and went back to my own place," I added.

Blaze handed me his glass, which I quickly gulped down before asking for more alcohol. My mind was already swimming in dizziness. Without a word, he got up and headed to the bar for another round of drinks. I leaned my head back against the couch, closing my eyes briefly, but it only made the nausea worse. When I opened my eyes again, Blaze had returned with a bartender in tow, carrying more bottles and glasses to our table. The bartender left momentarily, then returned with additional cocktail ingredients before leaving for good. As Blaze mixed me a drink, I struggled to keep him in focus through my blurred vision.

"What are you making there?" I asked, quickly approaching him and resting my head on his left shoulder.

"It's called Cherry Bomb, I'm sure you'll like it," he replied, kissing me quickly before turning back to his drink.

He quickly prepared it, then handed it to me, seemingly eagerly waiting for me to tell him how I liked it.

"It's amazing," I said after I took a sip. "I had no idea you were such a talented mixologist.".

"There are many things I'm good at," he said proudly, pouring himself a glass. "You've only experienced two of them.".

One of them clearly was sex, and I was going to ask him what the others were, but he waved me on to continue the story.

"He tried to call me, but I couldn't face him. So I lied and told him I was already with someone else. But I couldn't keep up the charade. Guilt ate at me until I finally confessed. But it was too late. We kept talking, clinging to the false hope that things could be fixed," I continued, my voice trembling with emotion as I immediately drained my glass.

Despite feeling the effects of the drink, I couldn't resist the urge for another. I attempted to set my glass on the table, but before I could, he grabbed it from my hand and placed it back in front of me.

I tugged on his shirt, drawing him closer to me in search of a momentary escape. However, when I kissed him, he did not reciprocate. Looking at his expression, I realized he was not in the mood for such distractions. It was rare for him to reject my advances and refuse to play along.

I pretended to laugh as I asked, "Do you want to know the rest of the story?" He nodded in agreement. "Back then, I couldn't stand to be around him. My mental state deteriorated quickly, suffocating me until I could barely function. I attempted to maintain a façade at work, but everything fell apart much quicker than I anticipated."

Tears continued to flow down my cheeks uncontrollably.

"I had reached my breaking point and resigned from my job. My sister had to come and get me because I was on the verge of falling apart, relying on medication just to make it through each day. But even with all my attempts to find a new job, no one wanted to hire me upon learning about my condition," I muttered, taking a deep breath as I braced myself for what was about to happen.

"After another interview that left me feeling humiliated, I saw him with his wife on my way home. That was the final straw—I couldn't take it anymore. My temper flared, and I stormed past them without a word." As I recounted the situation to him, I noticed his eyes grow wary, as if he already knew what was coming next.

"I'm going to need something stronger than alcohol for what I have planned," I confessed in a hushed tone.

Blaze wordlessly refilled my glass, his eyes blazing with fury. As he handed me the tall glass, I noticed it was filled with a deep purple liquid. Before I could even ask why, he began speaking again.

"This is the final one," he declared, his demanding voice sending a chill down my spine. "I can't believe you lasted this long without throwing up.".

My lips curved upward slightly as I reached for my glass, but he snatched it out of my reach.

His face remained blank as he repeated his statement in a stern tone, "This is the final one." I knew better than to challenge him on this.

"My mind was an inferno of despair and anguish as I walked through the door of my house," I told him after he finally handed me the glass.