The Heart He Stole

Suddenly, a familiar ringtone broke the silence.

Chase Holloway glanced at his phone, his expression stiffening. Without a word, he tossed the clothes in his hand onto the couch and slipped into the bathroom, answering the call in hushed tones.

In the past, I might have assumed it was an urgent work matter. Being a surgeon meant he was often called in for emergency surgeries. But now, I didn’t need to wonder who was on the other end of the line.

The ringtone was unmistakable—it was a melody Grace used to play in her dorm room back in college.

Back then, I didn’t know Chase was in love with Grace. I had foolishly chased him for four long years, convincing myself that his kindness and charm were signs of something real. He was handsome, polite, and self-assured—the kind of man who seemed too perfect not to fall for.

I thought I had won his heart the night he came to me, drenched from the rain. His arms wrapped around me, his breath warm against my cheek, and for a moment, I believed he loved me back.

He treated me with care, respected me, and apologized even when I was at fault. He once knelt before me to soothe my tears, making me feel like I was his entire world.

But now I see it was all an act. A rehearsed performance, scripted and staged for Grace’s benefit.

Grace enjoyed the spectacle of my one-sided love while basking in Chase’s devotion. Even as he knelt before me, his thoughts were with her.

***

“Honey, something’s come up at work. I need to check on it,” Chase said, brushing a kiss across my forehead before heading for the door.

Desperation clung to me, and before I realized it, my hand grabbed the corner of his coat.

“Don’t go. Please, just stay with me tonight.”

He gave me a faint smile, the kind that used to make my heart flutter but now felt like a dagger. “Helen, don’t make a fuss. I’ll be back soon,” he said gently, prying my hand away.

And then he left.

My chest tightened as I watched him walk out without a second glance. He was too convincing—his perfect facade had nearly blinded me. For so long, I had believed Chase had given me his whole heart.

I thought he couldn’t possibly have enough left to offer anyone else. But I had been wrong. My willingness to believe in him had only made me an accomplice to my own heartbreak.

As nausea churned in my stomach, I ran to the bathroom, retching until my throat was raw. The hours dragged on, and by midnight, Chase still hadn’t returned.

I didn’t need to guess where he was. Grace’s latest social media post made it abundantly clear.

[Today, Mr. Holloway said, “As long as my heart is still beating, I’ll always be with you. Love.”]

The caption was accompanied by a selfie of Grace in front of a mirror. She looked vibrant, her cheeks rosy, her smile radiant—not at all like someone recovering from a serious heart condition.

But the real clue lay in the reflection. Behind her, on the hospital bed, was the unmistakable silhouette of a man. I knew that back. I knew it as well as I knew my own name.

***

In another life, I might have commented on Grace’s post, naively congratulating her. [Congratulations, Grace! Wishing you all the happiness in the world.]

She would have replied, sweetly and condescendingly. [Wishing you the same.]

I understand now what she truly meant.

When the nausea subsided, my phone buzzed. Chase’s name flashed across the screen, his voice soft and familiar. “Helen, nothing major happened at work. I’ll be back by noon tomorrow, I promise.”

His words were meant to soothe me, but they only made my stomach churn again.

“I haven’t forgotten, okay? I promised we’d celebrate your birthday together this year.”

Once, his tender tone would have brought me comfort. Now it felt like poison.

Through the phone, I heard the faint sound of Grace’s laughter, delicate and coy. Before I could say a word, the line went dead. The nausea returned with a vengeance and I barely made it to the sink in time. My hands trembled as I wiped my mouth and stumbled back into the bedroom.

From the depths of the closet, I retrieved a pregnancy test report I had hidden weeks ago. It was supposed to be a birthday surprise. I hadn’t even told my parents yet. I’d gone to a different hospital to avoid the possibility of Chase finding out too soon.

Now, holding the report in my hands, I felt the weight of betrayal settle deep in my chest. This child was supposed to be a symbol of love and hope. Instead, it was a cruel reminder of the lies that bound me to Chase Holloway.