Chapter 3 The Shocking Discovery

The sun shone brightly over the campus, a perfect backdrop for what should have been a day of celebration. Graduation day was here at last. Sophia stood amidst a sea of caps and gowns, her heart racing with a mixture of pride and nervous anticipation. This day marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. She adjusted her gown, brushing invisible specks of dust from her sleeve, and smiled as her friends buzzed around her, taking photos and exchanging hugs.

But something was missing-Ethan.

She had tried to find him earlier, hoping he would be there to support her, to remind her that their future was still something worth fighting for. After all, he'd promised they'd build a life together. She glanced at her phone for the tenth time, checking for any messages. Nothing.

"Where is he?" she muttered under her breath, a frown tugging at her lips.

Her mother, always her biggest cheerleader, had encouraged her to focus on herself. "This is your day, Sophia," she had said that morning over the phone, her voice warm despite her illness. "Don't let anyone steal your joy."

Sophia had smiled at the memory, but now, as the ceremony drew closer, she felt an ache growing in her chest. She needed Ethan to be there, to show her that they still had something worth holding on to.

-----The Discovery -----

Determined to find him, Sophia wandered through the crowded campus, her heels clicking against the pavement. Her heart leaped when she spotted Ethan's familiar figure near the student center, but her steps faltered when she saw he wasn't alone.

A woman stood beside him, laughing as she adjusted the collar of his shirt. The intimacy between them was undeniable. Sophia froze, her stomach twisting as she watched the woman rest a hand on his chest, leaning in closer than anyone who was "just a friend" should.

Sophia's mind raced. Maybe she was misunderstanding. Maybe it wasn't what it looked like. But then Ethan leaned down, his lips brushing against the woman's in a way that shattered every illusion Sophia had clung to.

Her throat tightened, tears stinging her eyes as she approached them, her legs moving before her mind could stop her.

Sophia: "Ethan? What is this?"

Ethan spun around, his face pale. "Sophia! It's... it's not what it looks like."

The other woman smirked, folding her arms across her chest.

Rose: "Oh, come on, Ethan. Stop pretending. She deserves to know."

Sophia's heart felt like it was being ripped apart as the truth hit her like a freight train. This wasn't a one-time mistake. It was a betrayal that had been going on for months-maybe even years.

Sophia: "I gave you everything, Ethan. I forgave you over and over again. And this... this is how you repay me?"

Ethan's eyes darted around, avoiding hers. "You're overreacting. It wasn't serious."

Sophia's breath caught. Overreacting? The audacity of his words lit a fire within her, burning through the heartbreak and replacing it with anger.

Sophia: "Not serious? You've done nothing but throw me away, and I let you. I let you treat me like I didn't matter. But not anymore. I'm done."

Her voice cracked on the last word, but she didn't care. She turned on her heel and walked away, ignoring Ethan's half-hearted protests. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she didn't look back.

She reached a quiet corner of the campus and let herself cry, the weight of the betrayal crashing down on her. She thought of all the times she had forgiven him, all the times she had believed his promises. How could she have been so blind?

--- ETHAN ---

Thank God, she's finally out of my way. I was looking for a way to dispose her. Come to think of it, I actually loved her but things happens right? *sighs*

---- The Phone Call ----

Sophia phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. She wiped her tears and answered without looking at the caller ID, assuming it was one of her friends.

"Hello?" she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Sophia..." It was her aunt's voice, trembling with grief.

Something cold and heavy settled in Sophia's stomach. "What's wrong?"

"It's your mother. She... she passed this morning."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Sophia gripped the edge of a nearby bench, her knees threatening to give out.

Sophia: "No... No, that can't be true. I just talked to her. She sounded fine. She was fine."

Her aunt's voice broke. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. She didn't want to worry you, but the cancer spread faster than anyone expected. She wanted you to enjoy today, to focus on your graduation. She didn't want you to know."

Sophia's heart shattered all over again. Her mother had been her rock, her anchor through every storm. Losing her now, on the same day she had discovered Ethan's betrayal, felt like too much to bear.

She sank onto the bench, tears streaming down her face as she clutched her phone. The pain was overwhelming, suffocating.

For the first time in her life, Sophia felt completely and utterly alone.

---- A Promise to Herself ----

By the time the ceremony started, Sophia had dried her tears and pulled herself together as best she could. She sat through the speeches and applause, her mind numb. Her best friend noticed her moody face and tried consoling her. When her name was called, she walked across the stage in a daze, barely registering the cheers around her.

But as she held her diploma in her hands, something shifted within her. Her mother's words echoed in her mind: "Don't let anyone steal your joy."

Sophia took a deep breath, her grief mingling with a newfound determination. She couldn't change what had happened, but she could choose how she moved forward.

Ethan had betrayed her. Her mother was gone. But she was still here. And she owed it to herself-and to her mother's memory-to find strength in the face of heartbreak.

As she left the ceremony, the applause fading behind her, Sophia made a vow. She would never let anyone make her feel small or insignificant again. She would rebuild the walls Ethan had torn down and protect her heart until she was ready to let it be touched again.

For now, love was out of the question. But courage? Courage was something she could find. And with time, she hoped, it would be enough.