Pain from the past

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Tell me—how did it feel that night?

I was walking in the rain, hurting. He hurt me—so easily, like it was the simplest thing in the world. And he was ready to do it again. Still, I kept hoping, foolishly, that I could escape the pain. But it clung to me, like the rain on my skin.

He chose someone else.

I wasn’t expecting forever, but I didn’t think we’d fall apart so quickly. Caden was different. He was everything to me. I wanted us to work—so badly. I fought for us, tried to keep us happy, tried to keep us whole. I did everything I could to make us last.

I was used to people leaving. But not him.

I never believed Caden would leave.

People show up in your life, hold you, console you, act like they care—only to break you in the end.

It was raining heavily that night. I watched the drops lash angrily against my window. Through the foggy glass, I smiled bitterly, remembering us dancing in the rain, laughing beneath the waterfalls at Yosemite. It was the most romantic moment of my life. I never liked the rain—but with him, I couldn’t help myself.

I was eighteen when I met Caden. He felt like the best thing that ever happened to me.

That evening, the driver was taking forever to pick me up. I just wanted to go home. I couldn’t stand another minute at school—I was drained from classes and cheerleading for the football team.

Some people handle stress well.

Me? I’m fragile. A little pressure, and I start to crack. I had never truly faced struggle in my life. So when the driver didn’t answer my calls, I felt furious. Frustrated. Powerless. I hated depending on him—yet my father insisted on keeping him no matter how often I complained.

I decided to leave without telling anyone. I didn’t call my mom. I didn’t text. I just left. A voice inside me whispered to wait. But I ignored it.

I just wanted to go home.

So I started walking. It wasn’t easy, but I pushed forward, determined to prove to Mrs. Wood that I could handle the real world. Everyone thought of me as the spoiled princess who couldn’t handle stress, the girl cushioned by wealth but starved of love. People despised me for it, and I was used to their cruel words.

But Mrs. Wood was different. She saw me differently. She cared when my parents didn’t.

A few steps from the bus station, I felt like the weight of the world was crushing me. I regretted not waiting for Mr. Ripley.

Then it began to drizzle. I hurried, but before I reached shelter, I was drenched. The cold clung to me. Fear crept in. I shivered as panic twisted in my chest. What if I got sick? What would Mrs. Wood say?

Tears blurred with raindrops on my cheeks as I stared at the empty street. The rain fell steadily, soft and relentless, its sound almost musical—like nature was crying with me.

I was alone.

Stranded.

Regret weighed heavy.

I hated myself for not waiting.

I didn’t want to die out here.

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice someone until I felt a tap on my arm. I flinched, spinning around—only to find myself face-to-face with a demigod.

Our eyes locked.

I froze, stunned. His jawline was sharp, effortlessly masculine. His eyes glowed, framed by lashes so thick they seemed unreal. His skin looked impossibly smooth, and he towered above me—at least 6’7”.

I couldn’t stop myself from whispering, “Wow.”

How could God create someone so confident, so beautiful—

And have him standing right there in front of me?

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