Chapter 2 The Breakup

I always thought my birthday would be the best day of my life, but knowing that I’m about to get engaged to the love of my life makes me feel like today is going to be the best day ever. A thrilling wave of joy is swirling through my veins, and I can hardly contain my excitement. I still can’t believe Zoran is going to propose to me tonight. He didn’t even wait until my actual birthday, but I guess he wants it to be a surprise so we can announce it together on my birthday.

I arrived at the garden Zoran asked me to come to a few minutes before our planned time, and as if he had been waiting for me, I found him sitting on a bench, his hands fidgeting nervously. He looked so anxious, and I could tell he was feeling the weight of what he was about to do.

"Zoran," I called out, my heart racing. He turned to look at me, but unlike the usual bright smile I loved, his expression was serious as he just waved. I walked up to him and took a seat beside him. He immediately started talking, his voice a little shaky. "I have something very important I need to tell you, Nyla."

"Okay, but first, look at my outfit. Do you like it?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood and hoping for a compliment. He took a quick glance and nodded, "Yeah, it’s good."

"Come on, you didn’t even look at it well," I playfully growled, and he finally took his time to really look me over. "You wore my favorite color," he said, his eyes lighting up a bit.

"Yeah," I grinned, feeling proud.

"Wait, isn’t this the outfit you wanted to wear for your birthday?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"Yeah, but I thought today would be a much more special day," I replied, my heart fluttering with the thought of what was to come.

"What makes you think so?"

"Nothing," I quickly said, not wanting to spill the beans about the proposal. I always have a problem keeping my mouth shut around Zoran; it’s just so hard for me to hide things from him.

"Oh, okay," he replied casually, but there was a hint of something in his voice. "But you know it might be a day you won’t ever forget."

I couldn't help but grin, my excitement bubbling over. "I know, and I know that you’re going to propose to me!" The words slipped out before I could stop myself, and as soon as I realized what I said, I clamped my hands over my mouth in shock. "Oh shit," I spat, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

His brows furrowed, confusion and surprise etched across his face. "Who said I’m going to propose?"

"I know you bought a ring," I said, my heart racing.

"What?" he asked, clearly taken aback.

"Yes, I do. You can stop pretending because I already know. I know you wanted it to be a surprise, but now it’s all ruined. But it’s really not because I can still act surprised and…" Before I could finish my ramble, he interrupted me, his tone serious. "You got it all wrong, Nyla. The ring isn’t for you."

Immediately, my heart sank as confusion washing over me. I questioned, "What?"

"That’s the reason why I asked you to meet up," he said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a hint of hesitation. "It’s not about a proposal or anything like that; it’s about something else." I felt my heart race as silence enveloped us, my mind racing with possibilities. I couldn't find the words to respond, and he sighed heavily, continuing, "I want to break up with you, Nyla."

My breath instantly seized, confusion washing over me like a cold wave. "If this is a prank, it’s not funny," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"It’s not a prank. I’m serious; I don’t want this relationship anymore. I need a break from you," he stated, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"For like a day or what?" I asked, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope.

"Forever," he replied quietly, his word slicing through the air like a knife. My heart sank into my stomach, and I could feel my veins pulsing with disbelief. I waited for him to burst into laughter, to tell me it was all a joke, but he remained serious, his expression unyielding.

"Zoran," I sighed, trying to process the weight of his words.

"I thought it was best to tell you now. I didn’t want to ruin your birthday by telling you on that day," he said, his voice softer now, almost apologetic.

A single tear rolled down my cheek, and I felt anger. He thinks he’s doing me a favor by not breaking up with me on my birthday, but the reality was too much to bear. "Are you really serious?" I asked, my voice trembling as I searched his eyes for any sign that this wasn’t real.

"Yes, I am."

"But why? I mean, we are perfect, Zoran. I love you, and you love me," I said, my voice trembling

"Not anymore," he responded, his tone cold and unyielding.

"You found someone, didn’t you?" I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded slowly, a painful confirmation of my worst fears. "She’s the girl I got the ring for. I want to marry her, Nyla, but I can’t do that if you’re still in my life. That’s why I’m breaking up with you."

Tears instantly streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I tried to comprehend the harsh reality of his words. It felt like torture to hear him say this. I was frozen, unable to speak, just watching him talk, my mind racing with questions. How could he do this to me? How could he hurt me so easily? Zoran continued, "She and I are more compatible, Nyla. She’s a Beta, the same rank as me."

"I thought you never cared about that. I thought you said it was just a rank and it didn’t mean anything," I challenged, the throbbing ache in my heart becoming unbearable.

"It does matter. That’s why I want her and not you," he said flatly, his eyes devoid of any sorrow. It was painfully clear; that he didn’t care about us anymore. He wanted her, not me. He didn’t love me anymore, and that realization cut deeper than any words could express.

"How could you say that Zoran, you promised me forever, you said you’ll always love me."

"I’m sorry but I don’t anymore. What I have with you is gone and I just don’t want to keep up with that anymore."

"But we were supposed to get mated tomorrow, what will happen if I get mated to you."

"Then I’ll reject you." He said as if it meant nothing.

More tears streamed down my face as my heart clutched with overwhelming pain. "Well, if you’re going to reject me tomorrow, why don’t you just do it now? Just do it and end things now!" I asserted, my voice trembling with emotion.

I caught a flicker of surprise in his eyes as if my words had struck a nerve he wasn’t prepared for. After a tense moment of silence, he finally spoke, "I reject you, Nyla Molan Ray! I reject you." His words hung in the air like a heavyweight.

More tears flowed down my cheeks, and the ache in my chest felt unbearable. I didn’t want him to see me weak, so I stood up straight, trying to muster whatever strength I had left. "Goodbye, Zoran. I hope your new girl breaks your heart the same way you broke mine," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Not wanting to hear another word from him, I turned around and walked away, each step feeling like a painful reminder of what I was leaving behind.