The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 10

The Bet Behind My Five-Year Love Story Chapter 10

Chloe stepped out, eyes red, and said hesitantly: “Aria.”

Ethan grabbed her like a lifeline and pulled her forward. “Tell her! Tell her I never loved you-it was all a

misunderstanding!”

He looked at me, eyes wet, pleading. “Aria, can’t you be fair? You’re the one who told me to take care of her. If you hate it, I’ll stop. Just forgive me.”

That made me laugh. Even now, he was shifting blame.

Chloe tugged my sleeve, tears pouring-just like when she was little. “Aria, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have fallen for him. But I swear-we never did anything to betray you. I’ve already lost Mom and Dad-I can’t lose

you too.”

She was doing what she always did. Bringing up our parents, expecting me to fold. But not this time. She forgot one thing: I’m stubborn. When I set my mind, it’s set. Just like when I decided at eighteen to be the

mother she needed.

I pulled her hands off me and said slowly: “From today, pretend you don’t have a sister. I’m tired.”

I really was. From eighteen on, I carried everything-never stopped. And I got tired. I wanted someone to care for me too. Not just take.

“I’ll keep paying your tuition until you graduate. That’s my last duty to Mom and Dad. But everything else-

over. We’re done.”

She stared in disbelief, her eyes wide, tears streaming-her mouth opened but no words came out.

I turned to Ethan. “And you-we’re done too. If work requires contact, my assistant will handle it.”

He gaped. I knew why he’d brought her. He thought she was my weakness-that if I forgave her, I’d forgive him. But they both forgot. Love is a finite thing. You can’t just take and take without refilling it.

Eventually, it runs dry. Mine had-drained by one hurt after another.

I didn’t say another word. I turned and walked.

It hurt, sure. But sometimes you have to cut out the rotten flesh to heal.