His First Love Got My Heart - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Chase Holloway's phone buzzed, and his expression went rigid. Without a word, he tossed the clothes in his hands onto the couch and slipped into the bathroom, answering in a hushed voice.
In the past, I would've assumed it was work—another emergency surgery calling him away. That was the life of a surgeon. But now? I didn't need to guess who was on the other end.
The ringtone gave it away—a melody Grace used to play on repeat in her dorm back in college.
Back then, I had no idea Chase was in love with her. I'd spent four years chasing him, mistaking his kindness for something real. He was handsome, polished, effortlessly charming—the kind of man who made you believe in fairy tales.
I thought I'd won him over the night he showed up at my door, soaked from the rain. His arms wrapped around me, his breath warm against my cheek, and for one reckless moment, I let myself believe he loved me too.
He treated me like something precious—apologized even when I was wrong, knelt to dry my tears like I was his entire world.
But now I know better. It was all an act. A performance staged for Grace's benefit.
She got to watch my pathetic devotion while basking in his. Even when he was on his knees for me, his heart was with her.
"Honey, something came up at work. I need to check on it," Chase murmured, brushing a kiss against my forehead before heading for the door.
Desperation clawed at me. Before I could stop myself, my fingers curled into the edge of his coat.
"Don't go. Just stay tonight. Please."
He gave me that faint smile—the one that used to make my pulse skip but now felt like a knife twisting. ", don't make a scene. I'll be back soon," he said gently, prying my hand away.
And just like that, he was gone.
My chest ached as I watched him leave without a backward glance. He was too damn convincing. That perfect façade had fooled me for years. I'd really believed Chase had given me his whole heart.
I thought there couldn't possibly be enough left for anyone else.
I was wrong.
My blind faith had made me an accomplice in my own heartbreak.
Nausea surged, sending me stumbling to the bathroom. I retched until my throat burned. Hours crawled by, and by midnight, Chase still wasn't home.
Not that I needed to wonder where he was. Grace's latest post made it painfully obvious.
[Today, Mr. Holloway said, "As long as my heart is still beating, I'll always be with you. Love."]
The caption sat beneath a mirror selfie of Grace, cheeks flushed, smile dazzling—not a trace of the heart condition she was supposedly recovering from.
But the real proof was in the reflection. Behind her, on the hospital bed, was the outline of a man.
I knew that silhouette. I knew it better than my own.
In another life, I might've commented, playing the fool. [Congratulations, Grace! Wishing you all the happiness.]
She would've replied, saccharine and smug. [Wishing you the same.]
Now, I finally understood what she really meant.
When the nausea finally eased, my phone buzzed. Chase's name flashed on the screen, his voice soft. ", it wasn't serious. I'll be back by noon tomorrow, I promise."
His words were meant to comfort me. Instead, they made my stomach revolt all over again.
"I haven't forgotten, okay? I promised we'd celebrate your birthday together this year."
Once, that tender tone would've melted me. Now, it just made me sick.
Through the phone, Grace's laughter tinkled in the background—light, teasing. Before I could speak, the call died.
The nausea returned with a vengeance. I barely made it to the sink. Hands shaking, I wiped my mouth and staggered back to the bedroom.
From the back of the closet, I pulled out a pregnancy test I'd hidden weeks ago. It was supposed to be a birthday surprise. I hadn't even told my parents. I'd gone to a different hospital just to keep Chase from finding out too soon.
Now, clutching that slip of paper, the truth settled heavy in my chest. This baby was supposed to be a new beginning.
Instead, it was just another lie tying me to Chase Holloway.