Chapter 2: Shattered Trust

What is there to think about? What else could matter?

My chest was tight—I had to force myself to breathe. I wandered toward the edge of the trailer park, where the cracked pavement met a scraggly patch of grass, listening to the hum of the highway. It all felt surreal, like I’d stepped into someone else’s life.

Natalie came out, surprised to see me, then frowned: "When did you get here? How much did you hear?"

I studied her face—annoyed, impatient, a flicker of something darker. I felt completely out of place.

"You didn’t go to work or reply to my messages. I was worried, so I came to check on you."

"There’s a lot going on at home. Isn’t the buyout coming up? Everyone’s on edge."

I tried to lighten the mood, remembering my excitement. I forced a smile: "You’re about to become a little rich lady. Aren’t you happy?"

She didn’t answer, just shot me a sidelong glance: "Are you happy?"

I blinked, caught off guard: "Of course I’m happy. I’m really happy for you."

But suspicion clouded her face: "Why are you happy? What’s it got to do with you? Even if we get married, the condos are my property before marriage. They have nothing to do with you."

My smile froze—like someone had dumped ice water down my back. The silence was deafening. A crow squawked in the distance, but even that sounded far away.

"You think I’m after your condos?"

She seemed to realize she’d crossed a line. "That’s not what I meant."

She stepped closer, flustered. I turned away, dodged her hand, and left.

I shoved my hands deep in my pockets, jaw clenched so hard it ached, and walked off without a word. The gravel crunched under my boots, the air thick with everything we couldn’t say.