My first crush (COMPLETED)√

PART 2: Chapter 72: Hurting Sharon

Sharon's POV

I felt like a complete fool standing there. Heat crawled up my neck as embarrassment settled deep in my chest. He hadn't changed — not really. There he was, smirking, satisfied, knowing I'd said those things while I wasn't even fully conscious.

"I have to go," I muttered, pulling on my clothes. "I don't know why I'm still having this ridiculous conversation with you."

I didn't care that he was watching. It wasn't like he hadn't already seen every inch of me.

"Sharon, please stay," he said softly. "We can fix this."

"Don't bother."

I reached back to zip my dress, but my fingers couldn't quite reach. Pride stopped me from asking.

"Let me..." he murmured.

Before I could refuse, his hands were there — steady, careful. The zipper slid upward, his knuckles brushing lightly against my skin. My heart jumped despite myself, half expecting him to linger.

He didn't.

I grabbed my shoes and walked straight into the living room.

"Sharon," he called after me. "Say something. Just give me one last chance. No lies. No secrets."

I ignored the ache building in my chest and opened the refrigerator. Cold air spilled out — revealing nothing but emptiness.

I turned toward him with a puzzled look.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh... I'm broke."

I blinked — then laughed before I could stop myself. "You? Broke? What happened — daddy cut you off?"

"First," he said stiffly, "I'm not broke. Just short on cash."

"Oh? And why's that?"

He hesitated. "Because I told him I wasn't marrying Patricia."

The laughter died instantly.

"Oh."

A strange guilt crept in. For a moment I felt like an intruder — like I'd stumbled into something I was never meant to belong to.

"Well... since we're not together anymore," I said carefully, "you can continue with the wedding plans."

He stepped closer, eyes fierce. "Never. I don't love her. There's only one person I want." His fingers brushed my cheek.

I pulled back before I could melt. "Okay. I'm leaving."

"Sharon, wait. Aaron isn't who you think he is. He sent me a video—"

I shook my head. "I know this trick. You're trying to turn me against him so I'll run back to you."

I walked out before he could answer.

Behind me, unheard, he muttered,
"I won't just stand by and watch him destroy her."

⸻

Later

The apartment hallway felt too quiet when I returned. My stomach twisted as I unlocked the door.

I wasn't sure how to face Aaron after everything.

I stepped inside — and froze.

He was already there.

Arms folded. Waiting.

"Where were you last night?"

"My mom's," I said quickly. "I told you."

"All day?"

"Yes."

He smiled faintly — but it didn't reach his eyes. "Funny. Your sister said you never came home after seeing your dad."

My pulse hammered.

"So," he said, moving closer, "where were you really?"

Before I could react, he leaned closer, inhaling the scent on my clothes.

"What are you doing?!"

"Confirming something."

I silently begged fate not to betray me.

He straightened slowly. "That perfume... I know it. Where did you spend the night?"

"I... I was at... a friend's."

"I called you. You didn't answer."

"I put my phone on dnd," I said, reaching for it — only to realize it wasn't there.

His eyebrow lifted.

"You can't find it? Maybe you left it at your friend's place."

He dialed.

"Don't!" I blurted. "It's in my sister's room."

The phone rang.

Stephen answered.

Aaron listened in silence before hanging up.

I swallowed. "So...?"

His expression hardened instantly.

The slap came before I could react.

My cheek burned.

"Aaron!"

"So while I was calling you," he hissed, "you were with him. Tell me something — was it worth it?"

"What's wrong with you?!"

"Answer me!"

"You're sick," I said, tears rising.

I ran out before he could stop me.

⸻

Stephen's House

The moment I stepped inside, Stephen's expression shifted.

"What happened?" he asked, seeing my swollen eyes.

"Aaron..." I whispered, collapsing into him.

He held me gently.

"I told you this would hurt," he said. "But you need to see this."

He wrapped me in a blanket with a ice pack over my swollen face and played the video.

My breath stopped.

"Oh my God..."

It was me. Disoriented. Vulnerable. Filmed without my knowledge.

"Stephen... I swear I didn't know," I choked. "How...?"

"He admitted it. Said he drugged you and recorded everything. To break us apart."

"Turn it off!" I cried.

Stephen yanked the plug and smashed the device.

I covered my face, shaking. "He lied... he lied to me..."

He pulled me close, letting me cry against him until exhaustion overtook me.

Eventually, darkness took me, and I drifted to sleep. He carried me gently to the bedroom.

Minutes later, a knock echoed through the quiet house.

Stephen opened the door.

"What are you doing here, Patricia?"

She met his gaze calmly.

"We need to talk."