Part 2Passing Through His World

Everyone in Cole’s inner circle knew how much he adored me.

Back in high school, we lived on opposite sides of the city.

One winter night, I casually mentioned over the phone how much I was craving warm cinnamon rolls.

He drove across the entire city in the freezing cold just to bring them to me.

When he arrived, shivering but beaming, he pulled a warm paper bag from inside his leather jacket. "Almost burned my chest off keeping these warm for you."

Seeing my tears, he panicked. "Cindy, why are you crying? I was joking, they weren't hot at all!"

When it came time for college applications, he handed the decision to me. "Wherever Cindy wants me to go, I'll go. You own me for life."

His friends used to tease him, calling him my loyal puppy.

He just smiled, completely unbothered. "It's my absolute honor."

The memory burned. The back of my hand, where he had slapped it away, stung. My chest felt tight, as if the air was being sucked out of the room.

I lowered my hand and stared at him, my voice steady. "Cole, I'm saying this one last time. Stop making a scene."

He didn't even glance at me. He took Sienna's hand, stepped forward, and addressed the terrified woman.

"Get on your knees, apologize to Sienna, and I might let this slide."

Cole wasn't just the hottest star in the racing world. He was the sole heir to the wealthy family behind the circuit. This woman couldn't afford to cross him.

Humiliated, she dropped to her knees, apologized to a crying Sienna, and ran off in tears.

Cole patted Sienna's head with sickening tenderness. "Don't cry. It's no big deal."

Whispers began to spread through the crowd like wildfire.

"He really seems to like that therapist."

"Is the golden couple finally over?"

"To be fair, Sienna stuck by him through his worst year. Hard times reveal true love."

"Yeah, I haven't seen Cindy do a single thing for him lately."

Cole heard every word. He raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes saying: See? Everyone agrees with me.

I sighed. "Cole, we need to talk. I have something to tell you."

Seeing the seriousness on my face, he shrugged and started walking toward me. But Sienna suddenly grabbed his arm.

She clutched her stomach, her face turning pale.

Cole's demeanor shifted instantly. He caught her as she stumbled. She whispered something in his ear, and without a second of hesitation, he scooped her up in his arms.

"Cole!" I shouted after him.

He ignored me completely, striding out of the venue as if he were deaf.

My heart felt like it was being plunged into a bucket of ice water. Cold and suffocating.

The sympathetic looks from the crowd felt like slaps across my face.

Cole used to say, The world is big, but Cindy is the biggest. Even if you wanted my life, it's yours.

Yet now, he was leaving me behind for someone else.

Early the next morning, Cole returned home, looking exhausted.

He spotted me sitting on the living room sofa. He paused, noticing the dark circles under my eyes.

"Didn't sleep at all?"

"Cole, we need to talk."

"Fine. Talk. What is it?"

He collapsed onto the opposite sofa, his gaze burning into me.

"You've misunderstood everything between me and Gabriel. I've been in contact with him because my mother is sick, and he's her doctor."

I poured my heart out, explaining everything in detail.

After a long silence, he tilted his head. "That's it?"

His reaction was not at all what I expected. My throat went dry. "You..."

"I thought it was something important," he chuckled. "By the way, I have some news too. I've decided to let Sienna move in. As my therapist, she needs to monitor my health twenty-four-seven."

He waved a hand toward the hallway. "Give her your room. You can take the guest bedroom."

I frowned, standing up abruptly. "Cole, what do you mean..."

"This showed up in my email," he interrupted, his voice turning cold.

A stack of photos was thrown onto the coffee table.

They were pictures of Gabriel and me meeting privately.

Sitting in a coffee shop, Gabriel's hand near my cheek. Walking down the street, Gabriel's arm around my shoulder.

And finally, sitting in a car, Gabriel appearing to kiss me.

My pupils dilated. "It's not what it looks like, Cole. You have to listen to me..."

He stood up, grabbing the back of my head. His grip was so tight his knuckles turned white.

"Your excuses are pathetic, Cindy. If you want to play the bad girl, you should take some lessons."

His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Don't worry. I'm not breaking up with you. If you want to play games, I'll play with you."