If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Two

Anne’s POV

“Max what are you doing?” I gasp, as he gets down on one knee before me and pulls out the most beautiful diamond I have ever seen. But why now? Why couldn’t he have asked a few months ago, before my feelings for him changed and I found I was in love with someone else?

“You should end it with him.” Tom mumbles against my neck as his hands begin undoing the buttons on my shirt.

“I know I should; I just can’t bring myself to see him in pain. Knowing full well I have caused it.”

“Not just you, me too. But the longer it’s left the more it will hurt him.”

“I know that Tom, but just let me think of a way to let him down gently okay?”

“Okay.” He sighs before beginning to gently kiss my breasts; it feels amazing. It makes me feel alive, and I know for certain it’s not Max I want to be with.

I carefully compose my features so that it looks as if I’m happy with situation as Max answers my question.

“Anne, baby. Will you do me the honours of becoming my beautiful wife?”

“Yes!” I cry falling into Max’s arms as the tears begin to fall. Tears which he takes to be happy tears but I know they’re not. Why did I say yes? That was my perfect opportunity to end it. He would never even have to know about me and Tom; I could have said I wanted to take a break because he was moving too fast. I’m so sorry Tom. I’m so sorry Max. 

“Great!” Max replies with a huge smile matching mine on his face, yet his isn’t faked. “When Tom gets back from town we can tell everyone.” Tom; I’m so sorry.

“I can’t wait.” I grin on the outside while on the inside I’m falling apart. I’m such a bad person. Max pushes the ring onto my finger, and it pains me to see that it fits perfectly; if only it had to be sent back to be resized, I wouldn’t have a permanent reminder of my hurtful mistakes attached to my body.  “Well while we’re waiting for Tom, I just want to get something from town quickly.”

“Okay, I’ll come with you.” Max smiles.

“No it’s okay. City are playing I’ll be alright on my own for a bit.” I laugh.

“I do love you Anne.”

“I love you too Max.” I lean forward and gently kiss him on the lips, before pulling away and walking out the door.  As soon as I hear the door shut behind me the tears really start to fall. What have I done? I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone with a shaking hand. Please pick up, I beg.

“Have you told him?” Tom says as he answers his phone.

“Where are you?”

“Babe are you crying. Has he upset you?” He asks concerned and angry.

“Tom where are you!?”

“Anne calm down, I’m just walking through the park.”

“Stay there! I’m coming now.”

Jess' POV

“Okay, I get why Nath and Sophie are so happy. But what are you smiling about city’s losing.” I say to Max, laughing as Jay and I enter the living room.

“You’ll find out later tonight.”  He smiles brightly at me. Something has clearly happened.

“Come on Max tell us now! You’ve got us all excited.” I beg.

“Tonight I promise! When Tom gets back.”

Tom’s POV

“What’s happened babe?” I say while running up to Anne I reach for her hand and that’s when I see it. “Is this some kind of joke?” I say angrily pushing her hand away. How could she do this to me? I thought we were in love.

“Tom I’m so sorry. He asked me and he looked so nervous I didn’t know how to tell him no. Oh Tom what have I done? I’m such a bad person.” The words come tumbling out of her mouth and more tears start to full down her face as my anger subsides.

“You’re not a bad person.” I say pulling Anne into me. “I should never have expected you to do this on your own. I’ll help you tell him. Now wipe your eyes, put that beautiful smile back on your face and let’s go home.”

Charly's 

“There she is!” Max shouts as soon as Anne steps in the door. He runs towards her and pulls her into his arms, and I have to look away. I love seeing him happy, but I just wish it was with me. “We have some news we would like to share with everybody.” He says clearly proud of something, and I’m no long convinced I want to hear what this news is. “Do you want to tell them babe or shall I?”

“You can.” Anne replies a huge smile on her face too.” I feel sick. Is this where all my dreams of Max and I being together get smashed into smithereens?

“We’re getting married!” Max shouts. And as everyone runs up to the happy couple I just stand there shell shocked. He’s marrying her. He’s actually marrying her. I run out of the house managing to get away due to all the commotion around me. When Max asks me tomorrow where I ran off too, I’ll tell him something along the lines of not feeling well. Which wouldn’t actually be a lie, a broken heart feels worse than any illness I’ve ever had.