"Mom!"

  It's my mom. She slaps Ronald on the cheek, and he cries out in pain. She's so angry. Oh god, she heard everything. Maybe.

  "How dare you?"

  "Mom, it's nothing. I..."

  "Don't you dare, Rose! Stop defending him." I ignore her and help Ronald. He looks more hurt.

  "Ma'am, please..." Before he finishes, Mom slaps him again. Oh no. I'm scared now. It's not like my mom has never slapped someone before.

  "Mom, don't, please. Listen to me." I need to cover everything before the worst happens. Mom steps forward again, and before she reaches Ronald, I stand in front of him like a shield.

  "Rose, I can handle it. Let me—"

  "Oh, now you're going to handle it? First, handle yourself. See your class. You're just a servant. You touched my daughter with your dirty hands."

  "Mom! Stop!" I cry out. How dare she insult him? But Mom keeps yelling at him, and my Ron just stands there silently, taking it all. Then, the house door bursts open, and his parents come outside.

  This is the end. I know it. My heart screams that something terrible is going to happen. My eyes land on Ron. He's scared too. He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me close like a protector.

  "Rose, please don't leave me." He feels it too.

  "Not until my last breath."

  "What's going on here?" Ron's mom's eyes search for answers.

  "Your dirty boy touched my daughter with his filthy hands. I've given you enough warnings, but now I think we need to take action against him." No. Mom grabs me, but Ron doesn't let go.

  "Can we talk calmly? We need to think," Mr. Parker tries to interject.

  "Don't tell me what to do! Your blood is just like his family." What does that even mean?

  "Mom, stop insulting people!" My anger boils over. Why does she say these things?

  "Ma'am, I love your daughter, and I'd never harm her. She loves me too." But Mom ignores him and pulls me harder. In the struggle, my bracelet snaps, and something digs into my skin.

  "Stop it! You're hurting her. If you don't—"

  "Then what?" Her grip tightens. Blood trickles from my wound.

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  "You're hurting her, Lilly. Stop now!" Everyone freezes at Dad's voice. Thank God.

  "Ronald, go home. Laura and Carlo, come inside. Rose, go to your room and stay there until I tell you otherwise. Got it?" Ronald's eyes meet mine, and he nods reluctantly.

  "Okay, Dad." But Mom drags me inside. As she pulls me, my hand slips from his grasp like life slipping away.

  Why do I feel like this is the last time I'll see him? He's everything to me. I can't live without him. But Mom and Dad are going to talk. What about? I know Dad will try to calm things down, but Mom... she's aiming for the worst.

  An hour passes. They're still talking—no, fighting. So much talking is happening in Dad's office, and I'm just sitting here crying like a baby. I'm more worried about Ronald. What if Mom forces his family to...?

  My thoughts always prove right, and that's why I hate them. I can't sit here doing nothing. Slowly, with light footsteps, I approach Dad's office. Muffled voices seep through the door.

  "Careful, Laura, with what you're saying. If you repeat that..."

  "Or what? No one knows the truth. If it comes out, your life will be hell." It's Mrs. Laura. What truth? What are they talking about? Gently, I push the door open a crack.

  The words hit me like a storm. Every word is a bitter truth. The truth is dark, hard to believe, and impossible to accept. If everyone knew what they're hiding... But now, I know too. Me, Ronald, and Jessie—how? Why? My legs feel weak, and I collapse to the floor.

  "No! This can't be true. How much more are they hiding?" My body shakes with shock. I can't breathe.

  "I need to tell him. He needs to know. But is he strong enough to handle it?" My sobs grow louder, and I cover my mouth to stifle the sound.

  "I need to tell him the truth."

  "Oh no, you don't." Someone pulls me away.

  The next morning, I sit in bed, listening to their voices. They're leaving. He's leaving because of me. He's leaving me alone and empty. Everyone played their part; now it's my turn. All night, my phone vibrated with his name flashing on the screen. Today, the wall between us grows stronger because of me.

  I'm going to hurt him in a way he'll never forget. He's going to hate me. The corner where I cried all night is still wet with tears. I know he's shouting my name. He wants me, but I can't. Be brave, Rosee Posee. For him. Shaking, I remember all our dreams—dreams now shattered.

  Today, they'll break forever. For family. For us. I stand, gathering all the courage I have, and walk out of my room.

  "I need her. I'm not leaving without hearing from her. You're lying!" Ronald shouts at my parents. His parents try to pull him away.

  "Leave me! I said leave me!" Then, our eyes meet. Relief washes over him—a relief I don't deserve.

  "Rose, tell them they're lying. Your mom said this was a plan, that you were just playing with my heart."

  Nothing comes from my mouth.

  "Rose, you love me, right? It's true love. Tell them! Prove me right."

  Nothing.

  "Rose! Speak up." He yells.

  Nothing.

  "Ronald, my boy, I told you she doesn't deserve you. She's playing with your feelings." He looks at me, still waiting for an answer. I keep my mouth shut. He'll never understand the storm raging in my heart.

  "She's right," I finally say. "I just played with your heart. Look at you; you're nothing in front of me. No place, no job, nothing. How could you even think about me? You're nothing to me."

  "Look at me and say that. Look. In. My. Eyes." His black-green eyes bore into mine. They warn me that hate is building in his heart.

  "You're nothing to me. And I think you should leave."

  He nods, laughing bitterly. He stops, his laughter turning to anger.

  "Mom, you're right. She's just a cold-hearted bitch." Laura smiles triumphantly, but Mr. Parker looks hurt.

  "See? I warned you."

  "Get out of my house!" Dad shouts. But Ronald grabs me by the throat, his grip tight.

  "Pray that our paths never cross again. If they do, wish for your death, because I'll make your life a living hell. You'll beg for death." He releases me, and I fall to the ground, shattering into pieces.

  Love. Life. Heart. Pain. Ronald.