Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 34: Shattered Illusions

After their last call, Aari and Aaron barely spoke. Aaron even stopped sharing snaps, and Aari continued living her life. She focused on her future and got accepted into a master's program in Toronto, but she didn't share this news with him. One day, she went for her medical examination for the visa and took a picture of her passport at the medical center, sharing it as a story on social media.

Aaron replied to her story. "What happened?"

"Nothing, just got my medical done," she responded.

"Ok," he replied curtly.

Before leaving for Canada, Aari called Aaron, hoping to make things right. Her heart was heavy as the phone rang.

"Hi," Aaron answered.

"Hi," Aari replied.

"How's life? When are you coming?" he asked.

"December starting," she answered.

"Ok. Have you done your packing?" he asked.

"Not yet," she said.

"Pack warm clothes, it's really cold here," he advised. Then, hesitating, he asked, "Hope you're not coming here because of me."

Aari wanted to say yes, as she had recently turned down an opportunity to become a trainer in her company just so she could move to Canada. But with a sigh, she said, "No."

"Good," Aaron said. "I went out on a date with someone, and I think I'll see other people."

Aari's heart broke. "Okay," she managed to say before ending the call.

She moved to Canada and started living with her school friends. Despite her new surroundings, she couldn't stop thinking about how things might have been different if Aaron were near. She tried to speak with him, but he remained cold, often telling her he was seeing someone. Aari thought he was just trying to make her jealous, so she ignored his comments.

On New Year's Eve, Aari went out with her friends to a party at the Marriott and got super drunk. In her inebriated state, she called Aaron.

"Happy New Year!" she exclaimed.

"Happy New Year," he replied. "What are you doing?"

"Just partying with friends," she said. "I had white wine, vodka shots, and three bottles of beer. I'm super fucked."

"Why are you alone? Where is your girlfriend?" she asked, slurring her words.

"She went to the US to meet her family," Aaron said.

Aari thought he was lying again. "Enjoy," she said, ending the call.

They continued to have sporadic conversations, usually initiated by Aari when she was drunk. One night, Aaron called her at 3 a.m.

"Let's meet up. I'm near your place," he said.

Aari, half-asleep and anxious, wasn't ready to see him. "I'm a bit sleepy, not right now," she said.

They talked on the phone for a while before she drifted off to sleep. A month later, they talked again and decided to meet up during reading week.

As the reading week approached, Aari couldn't stop thinking about seeing Aaron. They had agreed to meet, and the anticipation was both exhilarating and terrifying. But before that, his birthday loomed—a date she could never forget. April 1st held a special place in her heart, filled with memories of their first time together, an intimate connection that had cemented their bond.

On the eve of Aaron's birthday, Aari debated whether to call him at midnight. She knew his friends would be around, and she didn't want to intrude. Deciding to wait, she scrolled through social media to distract herself. When she saw Aaron's story, her heart sank. He had reposted his girlfriend's story, which was filled with pictures of them together.