Page 166 of Broken Destiny

“I still haven’t figured out things with Caleb. I’m sorry if I misled you tonight.”

The words tasted heavy, but they were the truth.

Although I hadn’t yet told Caleb everything, I wasn’t over him. Not even close. I didn’t know if I ever would be.

My heart pulled me in one direction. My mind dragged me into another. And somewhere in between, I felt trapped.

“I understand,” Harper said quietly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. Please don’t let this ruin anything.”

“It won’t.” I gave him a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll see you on Sunday?”

If Sunday still happened at all...

He nodded, hugged me, and left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

I stood there staring at the closed door, my heart beating unevenly in my chest.

Then I locked it, turned and walked slowly toward the bedroom.

I reached for my phone and checked the screen.

Still just one tick.

The messages had not been delivered.

How was I going to do this?

The clock was ticking.

I would go to his penthouse tomorrow and stand all day outside his door if I had to.

I would knock.

I would shout.

I would tell him the truth—even if my voice broke while saying it.

Tomorrow was my last chance!

Tomorrow is D-day!

46

CALEB

Iwoke up on the morning of my wedding on Sunday. I was going to leave for the church from my parents’ house.

Sleeping in my old bedroom should have felt comforting. The familiar room—the trophies on the shelves, the framed photos from school, the faint scent of furniture polish—instead felt suffocating.

I hadn’t slept well since seeing Jiya with Harper on our double date on Friday night. Every time I closed my eyes, the same images replayed—her laughter, his hand on her back, the way she leaned toward him when he spoke. Those memories haunted my dreams, leaving me unable to rest.

On Saturday, I spent the entire day with Greg at his cottage up north, about an hour away. I didn’t want to do what he had originally planned, so we mostly just hung out together. We sat in silence more than we talked, the television playing in the background while we drank beer, swam in the pool, and played basketball.

“You’re going to be fine.” Greg patted me on the shoulder. “It’s just cold feet, that’s all. It’s normal.”

It was anything but.