From Now On, It’s Not About You Chapter 03

From Now On, It’s Not About You Chapter 03

I looked at Ryan’s darkening expression and thought about the flight information Mom had just sent me.

I took a deep breath and sat back down.

The corner of Willow’s mouth curled upward. She shot someone a look.

Then one of Ryan’s friends suggested a game of Truth or Dare.

I was about to decline, but someone was already dealing the cards.

The first person picked for Truth was Ryan.

The room erupted with laughter.

“Ryan, spill it—what’s the best hookup you’ve ever had?”

Ryan crossed one leg over the other and leaned back. His fingertip traced lazy circles against my palm.

But his hazy gaze settled on Willow. A crooked smile tugged at his lips.

“My place. Bathroom. Water running full blast.”

The second he finished, the entire room exploded.

Willow blushed and gave his chest a couple of playful smacks. “God, I hate you.”

Ryan caught her hand and pulled her onto his lap.

Their eyes locked. Willow wrapped her arms around his neck.

With everyone cheering them on, they kissed like no one else existed.

I sat less than six feet away.

The air conditioning kept the room warm. Yet all I felt was the temperature draining from my blood.

After what felt like forever, Willow finally lifted her head from Ryan’s embrace.

Her smile dripped with malice.

“Phoebe, I just kissed your boyfriend. You’re not mad, are you?”

Ryan answered before I could. His voice was full of indulgence.

“Enjoy it while you can.”

“Once I graduate and we complete our bond, every part of me will belong to my little Phoebe.”

I almost laughed.

He spoke as though he were granting me some great favor.

Ryan never asked what I wanted.

He just assumed I’d swallowed every disgusting thing he’d done. That I’d wait patiently.

That after he had all his fun, I’d still be standing there, ready to marry him.

What he didn’t know was that once something was tainted… I no longer wanted it.

A flash of resentment crossed Willow’s face. It vanished almost instantly.

She pouted and pointed at the star necklace around my neck.

“Since we’re going to part ways in the future anyway, can I have that necklace you gave Phoebe? As a keepsake?”

My hand flew to my throat. I looked at Ryan.

He knew what that necklace meant. It was our token of love.

He had apprenticed himself to a craftsman and spent months making it by hand.

He had even infused it with his Alpha power.

I still remembered the way he looked at me when he put it around my neck.

“Little Phoebe, you’re already marked as mine.”

“As long as this star shines, my love for you will never change.”

The star hadn’t died. But his love had.

“Phoebe, give it to Willow.” The words came out naturally.

Then, as if realizing he might have gone too far, he added, “We’ve got our whole future ahead of us.”

“It’s just a necklace. I’ll buy you plenty more later.”

I should’ve expected that answer. Still, my chest tightened with pain.

I looked down. Fighting back the tears, I removed the necklace and placed it on the table.

“You guys have fun. I’m heading home.”

Ryan stared at my retreating figure. For several seconds, he didn’t move.

On instinct, he stood to follow me.

But Willow grabbed his arm and pressed herself against him.

Her voice dropped into a sultry whisper.

“Ryan, tonight’s my celebration.”

“I’ve got a second round planned for you—your favorite black lace.”

Ryan’s eyes drifted to the open collar of her dress. His throat bobbed.

He hesitated for a moment. Then he sat back down.

It would be fine. After all, I’d been her whole world for so many years.

She loved me that much—there was no way she could ever actually leave me.

As though he’d convinced himself of that truth, Ryan wrapped an arm around Willow and settled comfortably into his seat.

No one saw Willow casually toss the star necklace into the trash.

Early the next morning, I was still asleep when my bedroom door slammed open with a deafening crash.

Before I could even wake up properly, a brutal force yanked me off the bed.

The moment I lifted my head, I was met with Ryan’s face, twisted with barely contained rage.

“I already told you Willow and I were just having fun. Why would you do something like this?”

“Did you want to drive her to death?”