Rivals Redemption

chapter 58 : Fractured trust

Tina Diaz

As I left Liam, my heart pounded with uncertainty. I had to face Rowan, and my insides twisted at the thought. Would he even want to hear me out after what I had said? I pulled out my phone and typed a message to him: Can we talk? Please?

The response came quickly, though not what I had hoped for: I need time, Tina.

Those five words felt like a dagger to my heart. Time. That's all I had wished for him to give me. Yet now, it seemed so far out of reach.

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Later that day, I found myself at our usual café, the place where we had shared countless laughs and secrets. The aroma of coffee hung in the air, but it felt heavy with unspoken words. I had arrived early, my heart racing as I waited for Rowan.

When he walked in, the atmosphere shifted. His eyes locked onto mine, a mix of hurt and anger swirling in their depths. I felt the weight of my lies bearing down on me as he approached.

"Tina," he said, his voice low. "I need to know what's going on."

"Rowan, I-"

"Stop!" He cut me off, his frustration evident. "Just tell me the truth. Is what Liam said true? Were all those moments we shared just an act?"

Every word was like a knife in my chest. I could see the pain in his eyes, and it was unbearable.

"No!" I exclaimed, standing up. "No, it wasn't an act! I love you, Rowan! I was scared-I thought I was protecting you."

"Protecting me?" he repeated, disbelief etched across his face. "By lying to me? By saying everything we had was a lie?"

I took a shaky breath, trying to hold back tears. "I thought Liam would ruin everything. I didn't want to lose my internship or you."

He stepped back, shaking his head. "You should have trusted me to handle it. I would have fought for you."

I felt the weight of my choices crashing down on me. "I know that now. I messed up, Rowan. I let fear control my decisions."

His expression softened slightly, but the hurt remained. "So, what is it then? Do you want me, or do you want him?"

"I want you!" I insisted, reaching for him, but he stepped back again, out of my grasp.

"Then why did you lie?"

"I thought it would keep you safe! I thought if I gave in to Liam, he would leave us alone!"

Rowan's silence was deafening. He looked away, processing my words. "I don't know if I can believe you, Tina. You've put me in a position where I don't even know what's real anymore."

I watched him turn away, my heart breaking as he walked out of the café.

---

As I sank back into my chair, tears streamed down my face. I had destroyed the best thing that had ever happened to me with my own hands. How could I have let Liam's threats dictate my choices? The gravity of my betrayal weighed heavily on my chest.

How had I fallen so easily into Liam's manipulation? My past with him had always been filled with fear and control, and I had thought I was free. But now, it felt like I was right back in that dark place.

I couldn't shake the feeling of despair. What if Rowan never forgave me? What if Liam continued to tear us apart, feeding on my mistakes?

---

The following days dragged on, each moment filled with a gnawing anxiety. I had heard from Grace that Liam was spreading rumors, taunting anyone who would listen.

"Did you see the latest video?" someone whispered in class, laughing. "Tina and Rowan, what a joke."

It felt like a punch to the gut, and I couldn't shake the humiliation. Liam had posted snippets of the video, twisted it to make it look like I was playing both sides, and now everyone thought I was a fraud.

I received a text from Liam, taunting me: I hope you enjoyed your little romance. Just wait till I drop the real bombshell.

I knew what he meant. He thrived on chaos, and I was his plaything. This wasn't just about me anymore; it was about control.

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In the following days, I leaned on Grace more than ever. She became my rock, helping me navigate through the fallout of Liam's manipulation.

"Tina, you need to talk to your professors. Explain what's going on," she advised. "You can't let him ruin your future."

"I know," I said, feeling the weight of her words. "But what if they don't believe me? What if they think I'm just making excuses?"

"Then you show them the truth. You have to take back control of your life," she urged.

With Grace by my side, I gathered my courage and approached my professors, explaining the situation and how Liam had threatened me. They listened intently, and I could see their understanding.

"Tina, we believe you," my professor said. "You're a dedicated student. We won't let a personal matter interfere with your academic future."

Relief flooded through me. I could fight back. With Grace's help, I felt a spark of hope igniting within me.

But still, the battle wasn't over. I needed to face Liam and reclaim my life-not just for myself, but for Rowan. I couldn't let him win.

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