Stella's P.O.V.

The Next Morning

I can't stop smiling as I rush around my room, throwing clothes into my suitcase. Today is going to be perfect—a trip with my best friend, Leah, and my boyfriend, Jade. It's his birthday today.

I'd met Jade a year ago in a coaching institute. He was the guy everyone noticed—popular, confident, and way out of my league. I, on the other hand, was just ordinary. Not stunning, not sexy, just me. I couldn't understand why someone like him would even look my way.

But he did. It started with borrowing my notes, sitting next to me during group projects, and eventually walking me home after class. I remember the day he asked me out. "Dinner? Just us?" I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.

After the packing, I sit, holding the small gift box in my hands and trace the ribbon with a smile on my face. Inside is a silver locket with pictures of Jade and me—a gift I've been so excited to give him for his birthday.

I glance at the time on my wristwatch, mentally counting down the minutes until they arrive. My heart skips a beat just thinking about seeing them again, especially Jade. It's been almost a month since I last saw them.

My phone buzzes, pulling me out of my thoughts. It's a text from Jade. Smiling, I pick it up, expecting to hear that they're on their way to my place.

Jade: Hey, Stella. I've got some bad news. Our flight got cancelled last minute. We can't make it.

My smile fades. I reread the message, feeling like crying. I was so excited to see them, to celebrate with Jade and surprise him with my gift. I stare at the gift, feeling a lump in my throat.

For a moment, I just sit there, disappointed. But then an idea sparks in my mind. If they can't come here, why don't I go to them? I know Jade will love the surprise, and I can't wait another day to see him.

Grabbing my laptop, I search for the earliest flight from New York to Ibiza. Within minutes, I book a ticket.

My excitement returns as I rush to get ready. This trip is going to be perfect—I'm going to make his birthday unforgettable.

***

By evening, I land in Ibiza. I step out of the airport, my suitcase rolling behind me, and then catch a cab to Jade's apartment.

I've been to his flat a few times before, and I still have the spare key he gave me months ago. I can already imagine his surprised expression when he sees me standing at his door with the gift in my hand. Butterflies are dancing in my stomach because I just can't wait to see him after a month.

As I arrive at his apartment, I pull out the key, and quietly unlocking the door, I step inside with a grin on my face.

The moment I step inside, something feels... off. The living room is a mess, with clothes scattered around, and I hear faint laughter coming from the bedroom.

I make my way to his bedroom door, which is slightly ajar. The sound of moans reaches my ears, sending a cold chill down my spine.

As I push the door open, my heart shatters into a million pieces at the sight before me. Jade and Leah are tangled together on the bed, both naked under the sheets, their bodies pressed against each other.

I can't breathe.

Is this some kind of nightmare? Yes, it has to be because they can't do this to me. He can't cheat on me.

No! No! He can't.

My mind stops working, and my breaths grow heavier in shock. I'm going to wake up in a few minutes. I must be sleeping, trapped in some terrible dream.

But they don't even notice me. They're completely lost in each other. Why am I not waking up from this nightmare?

Fuck! Is this reality? The two people I trusted the most have betrayed me. Tears stream down my face, and I feel completely numb.

My voice cracks as I whisper in a disbelieving tone. "Jade..."

Leah's head snaps toward me first, her expression shifting from shock to annoyance. Jade sits up slowly, running a hand through his hair. He doesn't look guilty. He doesn't even look surprised.

What is happening? My head spins. This seriously feels like a nightmare to me.

"What... What is this?" Tears roll down my cheeks as the tightness in my chest gets unbearable.

I trusted them. How could they do this to me? I can't believe it. My best friend and my boyfriend cheated on me. But why?

"What does it look like, Stella?" Leah sneers, pulling the blanket around herself. There's no guilt in her tone, no remorse in her eyes. Only disdain.

Is she really my best friend? I question myself.

"You weren't supposed to come here," he says flatly, leaning back against the headboard as if I'm the one who has done something wrong.

I see someone else in him right now—a stranger I don't even recognise.

Please, God. Please wake me up from this nightmare. It hurts so much.

"I-I wanted to surprise you..." My voice breaks as the tears fall uncontrollably. "How could you do this to me? How could you betray me like this?"

"You were always so naive, Stella." Leah laughs shamelessly, and I stare at her in utter disbelief. How can she be so cruel? "Did you really think someone like Jade would stay interested in someone like you? Look at yourself—you're so plain, so boring. No wonder he got tired of you."

"Stop it, Leah," I shout, clutching my hands in fury.

How could she say this to me? She was so sweet, so kind. She was my best friend. Maybe I'm a fool who believed it all, who trusted her.

Jade smirks. "She's not wrong. I'm bored with you, Stella. Your body doesn't even turn me on anymore. No curves, no excitement. You're not a desirable woman. You never satisfied me."

I gasp, not able to believe what I'm hearing. I feel like someone has squeezed all the air out of my lungs.

He crosses his arms over his chest, not caring about how much his words are ripping my heart. I can't believe I was in love with this man just a moment ago.

"You know, it's good you came here. At least now you can see the truth," he continues. "Honestly I was bored of you. I was just pretending to be interested in you. You're lifeless in bed. No moans, no passion. And let's be real—you don't even have an ass to grab, so I can't even fuck you from behind. What am I supposed to hold on to when there's nothing there?"

"Just stop it..." I cry out, placing my hands on my ears.

His words shatter my heart into pieces. I want to slap him, to scream at him, but all I can feel is the pain and the growing hatred for myself for ever loving this man.

I start doubting my own body, questioning my worth. Am I really ugly? Is this how every man sees me?

Leah grins, leaning into him like she's just won some grand prize. "Face it, Stella. You were never enough for him. But don't worry—I'll take care of him now."

"You're perfect for me, baby." Jade takes her hand and kisses it. "You know exactly how to keep a man satisfied—unlike her." He rolls his eyes, glancing in my direction.

A sob escapes my mouth. They don't apologise. They don't even seem to care. It's like they're blaming me for what they've done.

Just breathe, Stella. You can't fall weak. You have faced the worst.

I try to gather myself back, but it's not helping me. How could they do this to me? How could they betray me like this? My mind is spinning. I just want to escape from this nightmare.

"You're both pieces of shit." Tears blur my vision as I run, leaving everything behind. I feel like a fool to trust them blindly.

***

The flight back to New York is a blur.

Now I sit by the window in the cab back home, staring out at the endless sky, my tears never stopping. Jade's cruel words and Leah's mocking laughter echo in my mind, replaying over and over like a broken record.

My heart has been ripped out and crushed. I still can't digest what they both did to me. How can they be so evil?

I loved Jade.

How could the man I gave everything to, the man I trusted, do this to me? How could Leah, my friend, betray me so shamelessly? The pain is unbearable like my chest is being squashed.

My body shakes with silent sobs, my hands trembling as I try to wipe away the endless tears. But they won't stop. They keep coming relentlessly. I don't know how to stop them. I don't even know if I want to.

***

"Stella? You're home early. Weren't you supposed to stay for two days?" Mom asks in a concerned tone as I enter the mansion after controlling my emotions.

I decided that I wouldn't cry in front of her. But as soon as I see her, I can't able to control my emotions. I rush toward her and bury myself in her arms, and the sobs I've been holding in come pouring out. Flashbacks of Jade, Leah, the betrayal, the harsh words—play over and over in my mind.

I can't take this.

"Stella?" My mom's voice is full of fear now. "What happened? You're scaring me."

I can't speak. I can't form the words. All I can do is hug her firmly, my body shaking. She holds me, her hands rubbing my back, trying to soothe me, but nothing can calm the storm inside me.

She leads me to my room. As we sit on the bed, I grip her even tighter. She keeps asking what happened, but every time I try to speak, the pain chokes me, and more tears fall.

"Sweetheart, what happened? You're scaring me." She tries to pull me away, but I don't let her go. I hold her even tighter, afraid I might fall apart if I let go.

"Please, speak up," she pleads, but I can't. I can't tell her what Jade said, what he did, or what Leah did. It's too much—the shame, the betrayal—it's all too heavy.

I feel so numb and hollow as if I'm not even in my own body anymore.

Eventually, the exhaustion takes over, and I drift off to sleep, still wrapped in my mom's arms, my tears soaking into her shirt. The pain doesn't go away, but for now, sleep is the only escape I have.