Rivals Redemption

chapter 56 : Shattered trust 2

Rowan Cortez

I stumbled out of the coffee shop, the world around me blurring into an indistinct haze. The biting cold air hit my face, but it didn't even compare to the chill that had settled in my heart. How could she? The words echoed in my mind, a haunting refrain: "Whatever Liam said is true."

I had never doubted Tina. Not once. But the look in her eyes when she said those words-the pain, the hesitation-was unmistakable. A pit formed in my stomach as the weight of betrayal crashed over me.

As I walked aimlessly down the street, my mind raced. Why would she say that? It felt like a knife twisting deeper with each thought. Was everything we shared a lie? Our late-night conversations, the way she laughed at my jokes, the softness in her touch-was it all just an act?

I stopped at a park bench, my legs giving way beneath me. I slumped down, burying my face in my hands. I had trusted her with everything, and now it felt like I was staring into an abyss of confusion and heartache.

What the hell did Liam have over her? He was toxic; I knew that better than anyone. The way he treated her-like a possession rather than a person-had always left me furious. Yet here he was, manipulating her again.

I recalled the look in Tina's eyes as Liam leaned in to kiss her. It was a look I had thought was reserved for me, filled with warmth and longing. Instead, it was a look of resignation, as if she believed she had no choice. Why would she choose that?

"Rowan?" A voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up to see Grace standing there, her brow furrowed with concern.

"Hey," I muttered, trying to compose myself. "Not now, Grace."

"Not now?" she repeated, stepping closer. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"

I wanted to tell her everything-how Emily had blackmailed us, how Liam had re-entered Tina's life with that smug smile-but the words stuck in my throat. How could I explain this mess?

"I... I don't know," I admitted finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I thought I could trust her."

Grace sat beside me, the warmth of her presence a small comfort. "What did she say?"

I hesitated, the memory of Tina's words raw and painful. "Liam showed her a video. He threatened to ruin her if she didn't go back to him."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What? That's insane! How could she even consider it?"

"She didn't," I said, frustration boiling over. "But she said it was true. That everything I believed was just a lie."

Grace frowned, a look of understanding dawning on her face. "Rowan, you can't take her words at face value. Liam's manipulative. He's playing with her head-your head. This isn't just about you and Tina; it's about his need to control her."

I nodded slowly, but doubt lingered. Could I really believe that? "But what if she meant it? What if I'm just a rebound? What if all those moments we had... they were just for show?"

"Do you really think that?" Grace pressed, her gaze piercing through my turmoil. "She's not the kind of person who plays with people's hearts. You two had something real."

"Real?" I laughed bitterly, a harsh sound in the still air. "How can I know that now? How do I know she won't run back to him the second I'm out of sight?"

Grace placed a hand on my shoulder. "You need to talk to her. You can't let Liam win by pushing her away. If you care about her, you have to fight for her."

Fight for her. The words resonated deep within me, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the darkness. But fear lingered too, fear of what I might find if I confronted her again.

"Okay," I said finally, rising to my feet. "I need to see her."

"Good. Just be honest. But also remember, whatever happens, you deserve to know the truth," Grace said, her encouragement bolstering my resolve.

As I walked away from the park, my heart raced with a mix of anger and hope. I wanted to believe Tina's love for me was genuine. I needed to confront her, to hear the truth from her lips-not from Liam's twisted game.

I had to know if we could survive this storm or if Liam's blackmail had shattered us for good.

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