When Love is Gone

Chapter 2

My heart was pounding so hard, I could feel it in my ears. The memories flooded back, crashing over me like a tidal wave. The pain of betrayal, the ache of loss, it all came rushing back in an instant. And there she was, standing before me, a ghost from my past.

Every fiber of my being screamed out for her, yearned for her, even as I knew she was no good for me. But logic and reason were no match for the raw, unbridled emotion that coursed through me at the sight of her.

I watched her from afar, my eyes tracing every curve, every line of her face. The way she laughed, the way she moved, it was all so familiar yet so foreign. And then I saw him, the man who now held her heart in his hands.

Jealousy burned within me, a fierce, uncontrollable fire that threatened to consume me whole. I wanted to march over there, to demand answers, to reclaim what was once mine. But I knew it was too late.

So I stood there, fists clenched, watching as she walked away from me once more. And in that moment, I knew that some wounds never truly heal.

The rage inside me was like a raging inferno, threatening to consume everything in its path. I could feel the heat rising in my veins, urging me to take action. That man, holding what was once mine, had no idea of the storm that was brewing within me. Grachelle belonged to me, and I would not stand idly by while someone else laid claim to her.

But as I clenched my fists, ready to confront the interloper, a harsh reality dawned on me.

She used to be mine.

Past tense.

She was no longer mine.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Brennan's voice cut through my thoughts, forcing me to tear my gaze away from Grachelle.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Brennan chuckled, oblivious to the turmoil raging inside me. He had no idea of the history between Grachelle and me, the love that had once bloomed and withered away.

"Damn lucky guy," Brennan muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on something in the distance.

Curious, I followed his gaze, and my heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach.

It felt as though a dagger had been plunged into my chest, twisting and turning with each passing moment. Grachelle, the woman I once loved, was now in the arms of another.

The man was whispering at Grachelle, earning him a sweet smile from my ex-wife.

Ex-wife. The voice in my head hissed.

Fùck, yeah. Ex-wife. She's already my ex-wife and it sounded so bitter in my mouth.

She stood with so much poise and grace. Her stance screams elegance and power, a lethal combination of a very confident woman.

Looking at her now, I can say that she's far from the young woman who was so in love with me. I was used to her adorable stares before and to her timid yet sweet smile whenever our eyes met. And now, she's looking at everyone, smiling at everyone, and giving attention to everyone...

To everyone except me.

Another pain sliced me as I looked at the people around Grachelle.

Everyone was waiting for her attention like excited puppies and I can't deny to myself that I'm like them, too. I was expecting, waiting, and anticipating. I readied myself in case she'll look my way. But she never did. It seems like she's gonna burn on the spot if ever her eyes meet mine.

And it hurts. It's as if I am a disgusting thing to look at. And what hurt me more was the man beside her who was possessively holding her. Touching her.

For the nth time, the same thought entered my mind.

I was supposed to be that man.

I struggled to keep my balance, my attention torn between the scene in front of me and the urge to walk away. Her father's announcement barely registered in my ears amidst the cheers of the crowd.

"Behold, Grachelle Nathalie Atkins, my daughter!" Mr. Atkins proudly proclaimed, eliciting a round of applause.

"Quit staring and let's go," Brennan whispered sharply, snapping me out of my daze.

I followed him obediently until we reached the gathering. Grachelle, flanked by the tall man and her parents, stood on the small stage.

"Dear guests, work will be cut short today as we celebrate the return of my wayward daughter," Mr. Atkins joked, causing laughter to fill the room. His words felt like a dagger to my heart, knowing I was the reason she had left four years ago.

"Join us at Marianne Hotel tonight at 8," Mrs. Atkins announced, her joy evident at having her daughter back.

"I need to get a tux for this," Brennan exclaimed eagerly. When I didn't respond, he shot me a puzzled look.

"What's up with you since you saw Grachelle? You're acting strange," Brennan prodded.

Avoiding his gaze, I replied, "Nothing. I'll see you tonight."

I stormed out of the room, rushing to my office. Ignoring my secretary's greeting, I plopped down in my chair, attempting to focus on work. But all I could think about was Grachelle. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, unable to type anything except her name.

Damn...

...

"What are you still doing sitting there? We have a party to attend, Ram."

Sarah's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

"Party? What party?" I asked, my tone icy. She was already dressed in a revealing red gown, looking stunning. Four years ago, I would have been thrilled to see her like this. But now, I just feel empty.

"Aren't you going to your ex-wife's welcome party, Ram? I thought everyone was invited," she said, feigning surprise.

I scowled at her. I knew she was up to something with her snide comments.

"Even if everyone was invited, do you really think I'd want to go and show my face there?" I retorted, matching her sarcastic tone.

"Why not? You're a stockholder in that company, it's expected of you to be there," Sarah reasoned. It was clear she was the one eager to go.

I sighed in frustration.

"Sarah, you know why I have those stocks. Isn't it enough that people in the company talk about how I got them? About us?"

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of her words bearing down on me. The constant chatter within the company about my stocks and our past was suffocating. She failed to understand the shame and pain that came with my position, a position I never wanted but had to accept. It was my only link to my ex-wife, a bitter reminder of a failed marriage.

"I couldn't care less about what those people say, Ram! Those stocks are a symbol of the suffering your ex-wife inflicted upon you during your marriage. You deserve compensation for the lies and deceit she put you through!" Her voice rose with anger as she defended my honor.

I rose from my seat, ready to walk away, but she grabbed my arm, forcing me to face her.

"Are you really skipping the company party because of Grachelle, or is there another reason?" Her words cut through the tension, leaving me speechless.

I pulled my arm away from her grip, a chill in my voice as I responded, "How did you find out about Grachelle's presence, Sarah?"

Her smirk only fueled my frustration. "I have my ways, Ram. I had eyes and ears everywhere in that company. You should know that by now. I know more than you think, even when I'm not physically there."I kept my mouth shut as she bombarded me with her suspicions.

"Are you scared of facing her, Ram? Scared that she might take what she's given you? Or is it because you're getting jealous of the man she came with? Are you envious? Tell me, Ram, are you so affected by her presence that you're scared to face her with me?!" She was almost screaming, which made my head hurt.

I decided to just ignore her and turned my back only to be pulled again. I was not expecting the slap Sara would give me.

"You love her, don't you, Ram?! And you're damn jealous of the man she brought home with her! You can't face her because you're hurting to see her having a new man in her life!"

I gave her a cold stare in reply.

I got hold of her hand before she could slap me again. She was used to physically assault me whenever she's angry and I'm growing tired of it.

"You wanna know the truth, Sarah? Let me tell you the damn truth! Yes, I love her! Is that what you want to hear? And yes, I was jealous of that man who was holding her and touching her! She used to be mine, remember? But because of you, because I thought I would only love no one but you, I hated her! It was she who suffered more in that marriage rather than me, Sarah! And that money you spend on your jewelry? For your designer clothes? For the parties with your friends? Those came from her! That money belongs to her!" I angrily spat every word at her before pushing her away from me.

She was silent and was still shocked by my outburst because this is the first time it happened until she looked at me like she couldn't believe what I'd just said.

"You--you love her?"

It was a shock to see her tear up since it had been a long time since I saw her cry. I groaned before looking at her again.

"Now that you know the truth, will you still force me to attend that party?" I said.

She calmed down before wiping the tears that wet her face.

"You're just saying that to stop me but I won't let your lies get a hold of me. Get ready, Ram. We will go to that party."

"What?! Haven't you heard what I've just said? And I'm not lying, Sarah."

"You are!"

She screamed at my face shocking us both.

She cleared her throat after a few minutes of silence between us before she smiled sweetly at me.

"Of course, I've heard you loud and clear, Ram, and I hope you also did hear me loud and clear. I will go to that party alone if you won't go with me," she warned me before leaving, never giving me a chance to say anything.

I angrily punched the wall to release my anger after cursing multiple times.

I know that I didn't have a choice now but to go to the party with Sarah.

I must protect Grachelle from the plans that Sara has in mind.