Lust and love—people mix them up all the time. You did too. You thought Rafe loved you. But standing here now, watching him with her, you finally understand.

His arm is slung lazily over Sofia’s shoulders, his lips brushing her temple like it’s second nature. He laughs with her, eyes crinkling in a way they never did with you, like they’re the only two people in the room. Your stomach twists. It’s pathetic, really—how your heart still aches for him, even as he shows you exactly where he belongs.

Sofia. His first love, his forever love. The girl no one—not you, not anyone—could ever compete with. She’s effortless, soft in all the ways you aren’t. Her brown hair always falls perfectly into place, her smile is so bright it’s almost blinding. Sickeningly sweet, like candy that leaves your teeth aching. She gets all of him, every piece, every part he kept just out of your reach.

You were never supposed to have him, not really. But the second he and Sofia broke up, he turned to you, flashing that charming, easy grin, touching you like you meant something. And God, you were desperate enough to believe it. You let yourself be pulled into his orbit, let yourself melt under his touch, let yourself be just another body tangled in his sheets. Just another distraction.

Now, watching them together again, it feels like punishment—like a cruel joke the universe keeps playing on you. Hold him, console him, feel him break apart in your arms… and then watch as he disappears without a trace. Again and again. Whiplash.

Then, through the sea of people, his eyes find yours. His laughter dies. The warmth on his face vanishes, replaced by something colder—discomfort, maybe even disgust. Like the sight of you is an inconvenience. Like he wishes you weren’t here at all.

Your throat tightens. You blink hard, willing the tears away, but it doesn’t matter. He’s already looked away. Already turning back to her.