Faith's POV

I was in my room when my thoughts drifted further to what happened three years ago. Even though I had been trying to erase this memory of betrayal in my mind, my heart had always remembered.

"What the fuck is this, Mel?!" I screamed in anger after forcing Melissa to face me. I tried not to roam my eyes around her room, which was obviously Atlas' room, because I knew it would trigger waves of memories.

"Don't touch me!" she yelled back, making me dumbfounded.

Melissa used to embrace me whenever I was at my worst, but now —she was brushing the part of her cloth that I touched as if I had some contagious disease.

She used to be the first person I went to for comforting words whenever I needed reassurance, but now — she was screaming at me as if I was the person she hated most.

She used to be my best friend, but now — I wasn't sure if she was still the person I once knew.

"Are you pretending not to understand, or were you merely dumb, Faith?" Melissa asked as she walked closer to me. Her eyes had traces of wickedness, which I had never seen before.

When did my best friend change so much?

"If you really don't get it, let me clarify things for you. I am now Atlas' wife, while you? You are no longer part of his life," Melissa mockingly said.

"Tell me you're joking, Mel," I pleaded as tears slowly formed in the corner of my eyes. "You're my best friend, and I know you wouldn't do such a thing to me. I missed you both, and God knows how much I wanted you guys to return."

I was yet to finish my sentence when I felt like my energy was gradually dissipating. I knew what I wanted to say but struggled to let the words escape my mouth.

"You two came back, but how could you come back — married?" I uttered in a breaking voice.

"How could you guys do this to me?" I asked, and this time, I failed to stop my tears from falling.

"I'll tell you why," said a familiar voice from behind.

I didn't have to turn around to check who spoke because I already knew. How wouldn't I, though? It was the voice of the man I loved, which used to be music to my ears.

Still, I looked back.

"A-Atlas," I whispered as I faced the man I treasured more than my life.

I cupped his cheeks with my trembling hands and stared closely at his face, but he only pushed my hands away and looked at me in disgust.

"Don't touch me, bitch!" he yelled, making my eyes widen in shock.

Bitch? Did he just call me a bitch?

"W-why are you calling me like that, Atlas?" I asked, utterly confused.

"Why? Do you have a problem with that?" he provocatively asked back. "I called you bitch because it suits you!"

I would be lying if I said I didn't get hurt by his words. However, the confusion I was feeling now was far greater than the pain I had received.

"Faith, did you think I wouldn't find out? I know you have always been a badass, but what gives you the right to play with my feelings while I am away?" Atlas asked in anger and frustration, which made me even more confused.

"W-what are you talking about, Atlas?"

I waited for him to give me a clear-cut answer, but he only glared at me in response. He pushed me aside, and I watched him walk closer to Melissa.

I wasn't ready for this.

My heartbeat instantly accelerated seeing my man and best friend together, and it even went mad when I saw what happened next.

Atlas held Melissa's face and unhesitatingly pressed his lips on hers. They kissed hungrily, not minding whether I was still here or not.

Was I too evil in my previous life for the heavens to punish me like this?

Unable to watch them any longer, I strode forward and separated them from each other. Furious, I asked, "How could you do this to me, Mel?! I treated you like a sister. How dare you steal my boyfriend?!"

"What did I do to you for you to betray me like this?!" I cried, unable to conceal my emotions.

I then looked at my man and felt even more betrayed. I gave him nothing but love. I stayed pure for him. I never kissed another man beside him, but he? He kissed my best friend.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at my wife," he warned, making me feel numb.

"What about your promises to me, Atlas?" I whispered as my gaze fell to the ground. "You said you'll come back for me. You promised to marry me. And most importantly, you pleaded to stay pure for me."

"You don't deserve to be my wife," Atlas coldly said while holding Melissa's hand.

I raised my head to meet his gaze, only to see him staring at my best friend. He didn't even glance at me when he said, "Now, get out of our room. I want to spend time with my wife."

Then, he kissed her from her cheeks down to her neck, making me feel betrayed.

I had only been here for a few minutes, but seeing them together had constantly stabbed my heart a hundred times.

"M-May I ask why you chose her over me, Atlas?" I asked in a breaking voice.

"You already know why," he coldly replied. "Don't pretend like you didn't do anything wrong, Faith. You won't fool anyone here."

Confused, I cried, "Tell me what I did, Atlas, because I don't know what you are talking about!"

I pleaded for answers, but all I received from him was rage, which I wasn't sure where it was coming from.

"Get out of our room, you whore!"

What happened to my man?

What happened to the one who had never talked back to me?

What happened to the one who had never called me names?

What happened to the one who had never had the guts to curse on me?

What happened to the one who had always been afraid to hurt me?

And what happened to the one who had always loved me?

Where was he?

"Were you with her during the days you were avoiding me?" I bluntly asked with all the remaining courage and energy I had.

"Were you so preoccupied with her that you forgot that someone was waiting for you back here?"

I honestly didn't know where I got the strength to say such things because this matter had already drained me to my core last time I checked.

"Shame on you, Atlas. Shame on you," I said as I sneered. "I thought you're not like other men, but maybe I expected too much from you."

"Likewise," he scoffed.

He kept giving me vague answers, and my patience couldn't hold on any longer. "Just tell me directly what your problem is, Atlas! What do you mean?"

However, he only firmly said, "Get out of here before I drag you out myself. I want to spend time with my wife, and you are disturbing us."

After that, he wrapped his arms around Melissa's waist and gave her a peck.

I was only in the room next door, so I could hear them moaning non-stop. They didn't stop wailing in pleasure while I didn't stop sobbing in pain.

Unable to take it anymore, I ran out of his house and returned to ours. Furious, I threw everything my hands laid on, including my pillows, books, vases, and all. I threw everything on the ground until I calmed down.

My best friend betrayed me while my man cheated on me.

Why couldn't life be simple and easy?

Faith's POV

A new day began, and my eyes and mind couldn't be busier as a thick pack of documents rested on the left side of my table.

This was a typical day in my life.

I was reviewing a couple of proposals and signing countless progress reports when my assistant came into my office and said, "Mr. Campbell has constantly expressed huge interest in our newly approved project, Ma'am Faith. Do you want me to book an appointment with him?"

Not minding raising my head at her, I only nodded and calmly replied, "Yes, but make sure to set an appointment in the afternoon because I have a lot of meetings to attend and things to settle in the morning."

"Noted on that, Ma'am," she replied and asked, "Anything else you want me to do?"

I then closed the folder on my table to look at her briefly and said, "That should be all, Lily. You can leave for the day. Thank you."

After nodding at me, she left.

I continued reading a few more important files until I heard a knock on the door. If there were anything I hated whenever I was in the middle of something important, it would be any form of destruction.

Annoyed, I clenched my jaw and shouted, "Come in!"

The door creaked open and heavy footsteps soon followed. I knew it wasn't Lily, so I raised my head to check. I wish I hadn't done that, though. Now, I'd be spending the rest of my day in a bad mood.

Why did he always have to show up wherever I was and ruin my mood? Was this a talent he had developed lately? God!

Unwilling to talk to him, I said nothing and looked at the documents again. I tried to focus on reading what was in front of me, but the screeching sound made by the chair he pulled rang in my ears. Then, I felt his scorching gaze on me, which made me frustrated and annoyed.

"Can you stop staring at me?!" I snapped as I glared at him, unable to control myself anymore. "What the fuck is your problem? Can't you see that I am working? Don't you have other things to do aside from bugging me?"

My heart was brimming with rage, and I couldn't care any less if I looked like a mad lion right now. This guy was getting on my nerves!

"Finally, you noticed me," he replied with a smile as if none of what I said mattered.

"What are you doing here?" I coldly asked.

"I miss you," he replied, not even bothering to beat around the bush.

If he thought he could win me over with this strategy, he thought wrongly. My once soft heart for him had been processed and molded into a rock, so I would never fall for him again.

I looked at him expressionlessly, and he did the same.

If I was the same Faith in the past and he was the same man I loved, I would've stared at him the entire day without getting tired. However, even glancing at him had become a hard thing to do for me.

Unable to match his gaze, I retracted my eyes and flatly said, "I'm busy, Mr. Williams, so please leave at once. You're disturbing my work."

"Atlas. Call me Atlas," he corrected, looking like he was in pain.

"I hate it when you're being formal with me. Faith, we've been together for years. There's no need to call me that way," he added.

I wanted to speak and correct him, but he continued, saying, "I hate it when you're calling me Mr. Williams. Also, it's been a while since my name came out of your mouth."

"Isn't that your surname, though?" I scoffed as I asked. "If you don't want me to call you that, what do you want me to do then? Would you prefer if I call you a jerk? Douchbag? Cheater? Choose one."

I saw traces of regret and guilt in his eyes, which I only ignored. You made me like this, Atlas, so bear with it.

"Faith, please..."

"Miss Abdella. Call me Miss Abdella," I corrected, imitating his tone when he spoke earlier.

"Why are you being like that, Fa—"

"Didn't you hear me? You know me, Mr. Williams. I hate repeating myself twice," I stated in annoyance. "We're not in a relationship, so please address me formally."

"Fai—" he uttered once more, but when he saw the warning signs in my eyes, he immediately corrected himself. "Miss Abdella, please don't do this to me— to us," he muttered.

"Us?" I sarcastically repeated and chuckled.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but there's no such thing as 'us,' Mr. Williams. Stop dreaming, and face the reality that we will never be the same again. You had your chance, and you blew it up! Now, be a man and face the consequences of your actions," I remarked, raising my brows.

I glared at him for a few seconds as silence enveloped the two of us. It felt so suffocating, and I couldn't stand it. Annoyed, I stood up and walked toward my door.

"Where are you going?" he asked in a confused tone.

"To a place away from you," I casually replied and continued walking.

However, I had only taken a few steps when he grabbed me and pulled me toward his rock-hard chest.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Get off me!" I snapped in anger. Wasn't he aware that what he was doing was harassment?!

Still, instead of moving his body away, he only wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer. I tried to resist and push him away from me, but my efforts didn't affect him at all. After all, he was much stronger than me.

"You are crossing your limits now, Mr. Williams," I warned before demanding, "Get your filthy hands off my body right now! You disgust me!"

"Filthy hands?" he repeated with a smirk.

"Faith, these are the same hands I used to touch you, and—" he started and stopped as if he realized something.

When I felt his grip slightly loosen, I took that opportunity to break free from his embrace. Of course, that alone wasn't enough. I pushed him with all my strength, causing him to stumble a bit.

"Faith, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to —" he said while looking at me with eyes full of guilt.

"No, go ahead! Why did you stop?" I asked, cutting him off. "Do you mean they are the same hands you used to explore her body? Are they the ones that cupped her cheeks? Or are they the ones that held her hand?"

I knew my words hurt, but I had no plan to stop here.

"They're also the ones you used when you raised your hand at me, right?" I mocked.

"F-Faith," he called with a shaky voice. "I'm sorry..."

"Your sorry won't change anything, Mr. Williams. It won't take away the pain you've made me feel," I hardly said as tears streamed down my cheeks.

"I don't understand why you complete me just to break me into a hundred more pieces. Stop chasing after me because I find it annoying. I will not forgive you— not now, not ever," I added as I sniffed and looked away.

"Faith," he whispered as he moved closer to me. His eyes swelled red as tears fell from his eyes, but that wouldn't erase all the pain and lies.

"I promise I won't hurt you again. I won't leave you like before," Atlas muttered in sorrow. "You are mine, and you have always been. I'm never going to give up on you — on us. Never, Faith."

Still, I remained unfazed. "I'm no longer yours, Mr. Williams, and I will never be yours again. You already belong to someone else, and she's the one who belongs to you, not me," I stated. "I am now choosing to walk out of your life, so move on and let go. Perhaps one day, I could also find someone who could genuinely love me and trust me beyond words."

I once knew the feeling of being loved, so I wouldn't deny that I still longed to experience that again. However, I had been through a lot, and the pain Atlas gave me was still scorching hot. Years had passed, but time still hadn't cooled the flame.

I'm not ready for another heartache yet.

Atlas' embrace instantly pulled me out of my trance. He hugged me tightly as he said, "No one can love you like I do, Faith. I won't let you be in somebody else's arms. You're mine and mine alone. Understood? I won't let anyone steal you away from me before I can even win you back."

"I know I hurt you and that I don't deserve you, but Faith, I love you so much," he sobbed as he held my cheeks. "I love you so fucking much that I can't stand hearing you mention loving another man. Just the idea of seeing you with others is fucking killing me inside!"

"It's fucking killing you?" I chuckled as I asked him in disbelief. "It kills you thinking that I am with another man? It kills you hearing me mentioning another guy?"

"Well, what the fuck did you think I felt when I saw you with my best friend?!" I snapped. "How do you think I felt whenever you kissed her in front of me? Or whenever I heard you moaning in pleasure as you fuck her while I am only in the room next door? How do you think I felt when I discovered you married her instead of me?"

The grievances I tried so hard to conceal had now gotten the best of me. Now was the time to verbalize my pain, and I would not let such an opportunity be in vain.

"Do you think I was okay with everything that has happened? Do you think it was easy for me to accept your decision and continue with my life?" I successively asked in anger.

"Fucking no, Atlas! Fucking no!"

I gritted my teeth as I struggled to control myself. I didn't want to sound like a mad woman in front of him, but he pushed the wrong button.

"What you did fucking killed me inside, Atlas. It shattered me into pieces. It broke my confidence. It made me doubt my worth!"

If words could kill, this man might be lying lifeless already. Still, why would I care?

"Stop telling me that it fucking kills you to see me with another man because I don't care about your opinion. We're not the same, Atlas. You're a cheater while I am not. I stayed faithful to you for five years, so don't ever call me a slut like you did before!"

I let my tears run down my cheeks as I turn my back away from him. However, I felt his hands around my waist from behind again. His face was so close to me that I could feel his tears dripping down my neck.

He's crying, but I don't care. I don't give a shit about him anymore.

"I'm sorry, Faith. I'm fucking sorry. I was a dickhead, and I know it'll take time for you to forgive me again. But please— give me one more chance," he pleaded.

Still, I only wiped my tears and shrugged him off my body. "I don't want to see your face ever again," I coldly said and unhesitatingly left.

"I won't fall for you again, Atlas. I'm not going to repeat the same mistake I once did," I muttered to myself with an utter determination.

FAITH’S POINT OF VIEW

Three years ago…

I locked the door of my bedroom before sitting on the edge of my bed. In front of me were hung photos of me and Atlas. With silence filling the room, I gazed at each of them.

A series of knocks sounded on my door.

“Faith? Sweetheart? Why is your door locked?” My mom’s voice softly echoed from outside.

“Are you okay, honey?” she asked again.

I hugged my legs and remained staring at the photos, not wanting to answer her.

“F-Faith? Honey?” she worriedly said. I could hear her raising her voice already. When she didn’t hear any reply from me again, she started pounding on the door.

I lazily got up and unlocked the door. When I opened it, my eyes immediately met my mother’s concerned ones.

She heaved a deep sigh of relief before squeezing me into a hug. “You made me so worried, Faith! Why did you lock your door?” she scolded.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

“Uhm… Sorry, Mom. I didn’t notice it. Sorry that I made you worry,” I replied hesitantly. I looked at her and saw that she was studying my face.

“Sweetheart, are you okay? Is something bothering you?” she worriedly asked in her soft voice before cupping my cheeks. I gulped and forced a smile.

“I’m okay, Mom. I think I’m just really sleepy,” I sheepishly told her, making her smile in return.

“Okay, sleepyhead.” She softly caressed my cheeks. Suddenly, her eyes widened as if she remembered something. “And, oh, I forgot to tell you,” she started.

“Dave and Kate invited us for breakfast next door so get dressed quickly.”

She turned around and left me alone in my room again. I quickly closed the door before she could see the tears falling from my eyes.

I rested my hand on my chest, pressing it as I felt it hurt.

How would I be able to face them after the betrayal they just did to me?

My parents and I entered the Williams’ home. The first person we saw was Atlas.

“There you are, Atlas! Look at you now! You’ve become a man! I’m so proud of you!” Dad told him with enthusiasm.

“Congratulations on your marriage, by the way. I’m kind of hurt that you didn’t invite us, though,” Dad joked as he patted Atlas’ back. The latter just gave him a smile.

“Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll make sure to invite you to our wedding soon. We only had a civil wedding, so we might plan to have a big wedding soon,” Atlas said and wrapped his arm around Melissa’s waist.

I pursed my lips and looked away. I hoped they wouldn’t hear my heart shattering to pieces right now.

Kate, who appeared from the kitchen, approached me. “Let’s go sit at the dining table, shall we? Faith? Come on, sweetheart.” She sweetly smiled at me and caressed my back.

I forced a smile and slowly went to the dining table. I sat down on my chair without looking at anyone.

“So, Atlas,” my dad started. “How was New York?”

“It was actually good. I kind of had a hard time at first, but it was all worth it. Becoming a CEO changed my life for the better,” Atlas replied in his deep voice. Even just his voice could already make my stomach flutter.

“Faith? Why are you so quiet, darling? Normally, you are always the talkative one here. Are you okay?” Kate suddenly asked me in worry. I nervously glanced at Atlas who was staring at me with a blank expression.

I looked back at his mother. “I’m fine, Aunt Kate. I’m just really sleepy since I didn’t sleep well last night. I was so busy watching TV series,” I lied. Everyone laughed at my answer except the newlyweds sitting opposite me.

“Yeah! My sister’s too addicted to that newly-released TV series. Look at her red eyes,” Nate, my second older brother said with a chuckle. I forced a laugh and stared at my food, trying to hide the discomfort I was feeling from someone’s piercing gaze at me.

“By the way, should we expect to be grandparents soon?” Kate teasingly asked the couple. Atlas and mine’s parents laughed. My brothers hooted in unison. Melissa blushed profusely. They were too busy with their reactions that they didn’t notice how I froze in my seat.

Atlas, on the other hand, smirked and wrapped his arm around Melissa’s shoulders. Our gazes suddenly met. Without leaving his eyes on me, he kissed his wife’s ear and smirked.

“Soon,” Atlas answered. The whole table erupted in cheers while I could only hear my heart breaking once again.

I stood up. “I’m actually not hungry. Excuse me,” I muttered before leaving the dining room in a rush. I walked to the guest room and when I saw that it was empty, I entered and closed it.

I leaned my back against the door as I burst into tears. I held my hand over my mouth, so no one would hear my sobs.

Seeing him with her was killing me. It hurt to see them together.

Why was Atlas doing this to me?

I sat on the bed, still crying. My heart clenched in anger, betrayal, and sadness. All of a sudden, I heard the door being opened. I raised my head to see who it was.

“What are you doing? Why are you… crying here? Shouldn’t you just be happy for us? After all, it’s not like you had nothing to do about this,” Melissa hissed.

I stood up and walked toward her. “What are you talking about, Melissa? What have I done to you? Why the hell are you doing this to me? Why?” I burst out.

Melissa glared at me. “Because you hurt him! You hurt my friend. You broke his heart! A great person like him doesn’t deserve a fake witch like—”

Before she could finish her statement, I already slapped her across the face.

Melissa held her cheek and looked at me in shock.

“I thought that you were my sister. I thought that you were my best friend! But today, you only proved to me that people like you can never be a family,” I told her with anger.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “You’re right, Faith. We’re no longer friends. I can’t be friends with you after what you did to Atlas.”

I stared at her in confusion. “What did I do, Melissa? Why can’t you just tell me? What did I do to deserve this?”

“You’re well aware of what you did, Faith. I don’t want to waste my time telling you stupid things,” Melissa replied before turning away. She was headed to the door when Atlas suddenly came in.

“There you are! I was looking for you everywhere. Why are you he—” Atlas immediately stopped when he saw me.

He looked at Melissa and noticed the red mark on her cheek. He gently caressed it while his jaw clenched in anger.

“Did she do this to you?” Atlas asked in a menacing tone. My heart started beating rapidly.

“Just leave it, Atlas. Let’s go.” Melissa tried to pull him away but he didn’t move.

“Answer me,” he commanded. Melissa just stared at him.

Atlas removed his eyes from her and looked at me. I could clearly see anger in his eyes.

“How dare you hurt my wife, huh?” he asked with a cold tone, making me flinch.

“She started it, Atlas. She deserved it,” I firmly answered.

He continued glaring at me. I softened my expression and took a step closer to him.

“A-atlas,” I sobbed. “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do? Please, tell me. I-I love you so much. I know that you don’t love her. I—” I couldn’t finish my sentence because I felt a sting on my cheek.

I froze in shock when I heard a gasp behind him. My trembling fingers slowly found my throbbing cheek.

“I love my wife, and she’s the only woman I’ll love in my entire life. The love I once had for you died long ago, You’re nothing to me now, Faith. Hear me? You’re nothing but a piece of trash to me,” Atlas muttered menacingly.

“You won’t imagine what I can do to you the next time you lay your hand on my wife. Remember that.” Then, he held Melissa’s hand and pulled her out of the room. I silently watched them leave me here. All alone while crumbling to pieces.

I stood on my spot, still speechless. Tear after tear fell out of my eyes. My knees started to shake, making me fall to the ground.

Atlas slapped me.

He just hurt me.

How could he do that to me?