The sight of him appearing content and affectionate with my dearest friend struck me as a deep betrayal. It was like a knife twisting in my heart while I struggled to find air. How could he wound me so, especially with someone I trusted completely? My heart froze as I exclaimed, "You said you loved me." I wiped away the tears that fell from my cheeks, seeking understanding. He met my gaze, his eyes reflecting the coldness I'd seen in his mother's before. "That was the biggest mistake of my life," he replied, his voice hard. ... Imela's belief in love as an anchor had shattered. Now, she knew better. Love, once hailed as the truth, had become yet another deceit for the vulnerable, concealing the harsh realities of life.
