Chapter 8: The Coffee Shop Showdown

I rushed over. As soon as I walked in, there she was—Natalie, sitting across from Derek, all dressed up, looking flirty.

The always-reserved Natalie was now gentle, smiling, holding his hand. They reminisced about the past, chatted about the present, swinging their hands together like they’d always been a pair.

The small-town coffee shop was thick with the scent of burnt espresso and the twang of country music on the speakers. Tyler slouched in the corner, phone in hand, recording everything.

I stormed over, my hands shaking as I grabbed Derek’s wrist, rage boiling up so fast I could barely see straight. I yanked him up from his chair.

Natalie reacted quick, gripping my hand tightly. There wasn’t a hint of guilt or panic in her eyes.

"What are you doing? Let go."

"You’re always so busy just to be with him? Who told me Derek was a loser, impossible to shake off, and you’ve wanted to puke at the sight of him since childhood…"

Seeing me lose it, Natalie anxiously tried to pry my fingers off: "We’re just childhood friends joking around. Let go. His family’s about to get bought out—if you hurt him, you can’t afford to pay."

I stared at her in disbelief, but my heart was calm. On the way here, Tyler had sent me a video. I’d already seen her true colors.

"Derek, if you can put a condo in my name, I’ll agree to break up with my boyfriend. You know, I still have a younger brother. My mom said the buyout condos can’t go to me…"

So five years of love, vows of forever, couldn’t compare to a few condos. My heart was already cold. Now I was just testing the bottom line of human nature.

I felt like I’d woken up from a long, sweet dream, only to find the house was burning down around me.