Her Place in His Heart by Isabella Reed

Chapter 8

On Kyla and Antonio’s wedding day, the whole Parrish’s villa was exceptionally lively.

The rich young men and women all praised Kyla and Antonio.

“Kyla, you and Antonio are such a perfect match. Back in high school, he always gave you a lift home, right?

“I remember that once, he beat the crap out of a couple of punks for you. When you had that car accident, he protected you regardless of his own safety. You’re his one and only exception.”

Kyla’s bestie added, “Yeah, everyone knows Antonio treats Kyla so well, and vice versa. When he was injured years ago, she gave him one of her kidneys.”

An onlooker exclaimed, “Gee! True love is so rare these days.”

“Not to mention they love each other. It’s mutual love.”

Among capitalists in the upper class, love was a rare and precious luxury.

As I sat alone in the storage room, I wanted to laugh.

They thought it was Kyla who did all these things, but actually, it was me.

Antonio was older than me.

When I was in high school, he was already in college.

As he saw how pitiful I was, he felt bad for me and would often have his driver wait for me, so we could go home together.

I was often harassed by punks, and he’d take off his suit and fight for me.

Once, we got into a car wreck on the way home. He shielded me with his body, preventing me from any injuries.

That was why I fell for him regardless of everything else and even gave him one of my kidneys.

But…

That Antonio, who loved me, protected me, and always prioritized me, was long gone.

This Antonio sitting outside wasn’t that radiant young man in my memories.

So, I no longer wanted him.

Time passed by.

The night fell, and Antonio set off fireworks for Kyla, illuminating the whole city.

He asked me to come out and said to me, “Grace, I’ll marry Kyla tomorrow, but it’ll be a wedding in name only. After the wedding, we can finally be together.”

Thinking that he had helped me countless times and saved my life once, I opened my mouth.

I

Chapter 8

wanted to say “I won’t be with

finish, Naomi called out to him, “Antonio, come here! Join us for

A pre–wedding game?

to her,

he looked at me. “What

“Nothing.

held my cold hand.

everything will be over.”

that, he turned to leave.

watched his tall figure.

неи

right; everything would be over.

***

everyone went to Kyla’s room. I walked into the villa alone and glanced at the time on my phone.

was 7:15

an hour and forty–five

a thorough shower.

and saw my scarred body, the result

Chapter B

most expensive set of clothes I had and waited for the state to come and

an hour left.

looked around, taking one last look at the storage room where I

there weren’t many

shoes, a blanket that was discarded by the maid, a tattered diary on the desk, and the only decoration next to it a

of the clothes, shoes, and the

photo frame. Inside was a family photo of the Parrish and the Kaufman families from twelve years ago,

the faces of my parents, Naomi,

all

frame, tore it into pieces, and tossed it into the

I had started when I

opened the first page.

3rd, 2012, and

My dad is so

42 65%

Chapter 8

is so pretty. And my two sisters are as pretty as her. I’m so happy! From today

through

Dad didn’t give me tuition today, and I don’t know how to tell my teacher. I guess Mom and Dad have their

2013, and it’s sunny. I bought the necklace for Naomi with the money I saved from three months of my part–time job, but she

page. That day was

1st, 2017, and it’s

only one sentence.

love me at all!”