My first crush (COMPLETED)√

Chapter 20: wild

I covered my face with my trembling hands, my heart racing wildly as Stephen glared at me. His eyes burned with anger and hurt, and the tension in the room felt suffocating.

"Stephen... I can explain," I said softly, my voice barely steady.

"Okay," he replied coldly, his jaw tightening. "Explain the damn thing I just heard before I go wild."

We had only been dating for fifteen minutes, and already his jealousy was raging like a storm I couldn't calm.

"He's just a friend," I rushed out. "Nothing is going on between us. I promise."

But even as I said it, I could tell my words didn't reach him.

"Well, I can't stop thinking about it," he snapped, pacing restlessly. "Because you're hiding something. Just tell me one thing—do you love him? Tell me!"

"I..." My voice faltered. I covered my face again, overwhelmed and unsure what answer would hurt less. "...I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "You're sorry? What are you sorry for? I'm asking you a damn question!"

Before I could react, he grabbed the nearest vase and hurled it against the floor. It shattered into sharp pieces, the sound echoing through the room.

"Stephen!" I gasped. "What are you doing?"
This was spiraling far beyond a conversation. I thought we were supposed to talk calmly—figure things out—not break apart like glass on the floor.

His anger flickered, replaced by regret.
"I'm sorry, Sharon... I'm sorry." He stepped closer, gripping my hands tightly. "I just... I thought you two had something in the past. It looked like it." His voice softened as he tried to control his temper.

"No. We don't," I said firmly. "That's the truth."

"True?" he asked, searching my face anxiously, as if bracing for abandonment.

"Yes, it's true. Stephen... I love you. I want you to hold onto that." I reached up, gently caressing his cheek.

His expression wavered.
"But you loved him too."

"That was then. It's in the past. We both moved on."

"So you don't love him anymore?"

"I don't."

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Then why didn't you answer him when he asked if you had feelings for me?"

Silence swallowed the room. My chest tightened. He was right... Why hadn't I answered?

"Why didn't you answer?" he pressed.

I nervously bit my fingers, my mind scrambling for words that wouldn't come.

"Answer me, Sharon!" His voice rose again. "Do you still love him?"

"I don't know!" I cried, tears spilling freely now. "I don't know..."

The admission shattered something between us.

He stepped back, disappointment hardening his features.
"Right... so you still have feelings for him. How can you be like this?"

He turned toward the door.

"Stephen, wait!" I reached out desperately.

"Goodbye," he said coldly. "You didn't want me here anyway."

The door slammed shut in my face, the sound echoing through the empty house.

I stood frozen, staring at the closed door, my chest aching as the silence settled around me.