I Truly Don’t Love You Anymore

Will Orlandos love for me was once an ocean. Now, the tide has gone out.
To be with another girl, he had me hypnotizedtricked into falling for his best friend, Adrian.
I broke up with him, just as he planned, my heart supposedly belonging to Adrian now.
But now, he's desperate to undo it all.
What he doesn't know is, the hypnosis never worked.
I just I really don't love him anymore.

1
I was standing just outside the private lounge, listening to Will and Adrian talk.
Youre actually going to have Lara hypnotized? That was Adrians voice, sharp with disbelief.
Lara and I are engaged, Will replied, his tone chillingly casual. But the thought of spending the rest of my life with just one woman its starting to feel claustrophobic. So, Ill have a hypnotist make her think shes fallen for you. Shell break up with me.
He paused, the sound of ice clinking in a glass. Then, when Ive had my fun, well reverse it, and things will go back to the way they were.
Right, Adrian said, his voice unreadable. And you want her to fall for me?
Of course. Youre the only one I can trust. I know youve never liked her, and you wouldn't touch her even if she threw herself at you. If she fell for anyone else, I couldnt be sure theyd keep their hands to themselves. Wills logic was as flawless as it was cruel.
How thoughtful of you, Adrian scoffed. Just itching to go public with that little intern, arent you?
You get it, Will said, a smirk in his voice.
I backed away from the door, my movements silent, and walked away.
2

Will brought me to an office with a view of the city skyline, saying we were meeting a friend.
I found myself settling into a plush recliner. Then, I was asleep.
When I woke up, two handsome faces were looking down at me. Will and Adrian.
Lara, you fell asleep, Will said, reaching for my hand.
I pulled away, my eyes finding Adrians across the room. I held his gaze, letting him see the deep affection I was supposed to be feeling.
Will and Adrian exchanged a look. It worked.
I saw the tension leave Wills shoulders in a quiet sigh of relief.

That night, we were in a private club with Wills friendsthe usual crowd of city heirs and trust-fund kids. Adrian sat across from us, nursing a drink.
I was still seated next to Will, but on his other side was Lily, the new intern from his company. The way they leaned into each other, the small space between them, it was clear they were the couple. I was the third wheel.
During a party game, Lily had to take a dare.
One of the guys, Wes, grinned, knowing exactly what to do. Pick someone in the room and kiss them for a full minute!
A blush crept up Lilys neck, a perfect performance of innocent charm. She glanced at me, her eyes wide. Lara, I really only know Will well would you mind if I chose him?
Oh, come on, its just a game! Of course she wont mind, Wes chimed in, shutting down any potential protest. And once youre picked, Will, you cant say no.
The old me would never have allowed my fianc to kiss another woman. But in the eyes of everyone who knew the plan, I was already in love with someone else.
I just smiled and shrugged.
Lily looked at Will with a shy, girlish hesitation before leaning in. He smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into a deep kiss.
The room erupted in cheers, fueling the spectacle of our breakup.
When they finally pulled apart, Lily buried her face in Wills chest, the tips of her ears bright red.
He held her close, stroking her hair. Hey, nothing to be embarrassed about, he murmured, his voice laced with a tenderness I hadnt heard in years.
Then, still tucked in his arms, Lily looked at me. Im so sorry, Lara, she said, but her eyes shone with the unmistakable light of victory.
The next round, I lost. Same dare.
A hush fell over the room. Everyone watched me, waiting. Who would I choose?

3
Will kept his arm around Lily, pointedly not looking at me. He was practically begging me not to pick him.
Across the room, Adrian shifted, a flicker of something uneasy in his expression.
I played my part. My gaze landed on Adrian.
Can I choose you?
I felt Will relax beside me.
Adrian looked at me, a slow smile spreading across his lips. He nodded.
I walked over to him, and he stood to meet me. My hands went to the back of his neck, and I had to stand on my toes to reach him. He dipped his head, meeting my lips with his. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, deepening the kiss.
Another round of whistles and hoots filled the air. For me, the minute stretched into an eternity.
When the time was up, I pulled away. I caught a glimpse of Wills facea flash of irritation he couldnt hide.
Good.
Well, guess I should give you two some space, Wes said, getting up from his spot next to Adrian and sliding into my old seat beside Will.
I sat down next to Adrian.
For the rest of the night, Will doted on Lily.
And my eyes, for all the world to see, never left Adrian.
The party was a stage, and we all played our parts perfectly.
Late that night, the four of us stood outside the club. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the diamond ring Will had proposed with a year ago. The promises of forever, once so vivid, now felt like a distant memory.
I held it out to him. I think its time I gave this back to you.
Will managed a smile and took it. If this is your decision, I respect it. We can still be friends.
I nodded, my gaze flickering to the girl clinging to his arm. Ill come by to get my things tomorrow.
Tonight, then Will started, then looked at Adrian. My man, you wouldnt mind putting her up for the night, would you?
Adrian gave a noncommittal shrug. Plenty of room.
Alright, were heading out. Will gave Adrian a look brimming with trust, then wrapped his arm around Lily and led her to his car.
I stood there, watching the man I had loved for years drive away with another woman, until their taillights blurred into nothing.
Second thoughts? Adrians voice beside me was laced with curiosity.
I turned to him. Who Im thinking about? I thought that was made pretty clear tonight. Just like its clear who Will is thinking about.
A corner of his mouth lifted. He led me to his car, and we drove to his place.

4
We arrived at a mansion in the citys most exclusive neighborhood. He led me upstairs, and the moment the door to the hallway closed, he spun me around and kissed me.
I froze, turning my head away. What are you doing?
He raised an eyebrow. What, you agree to come back to my place, and you dont know whats going to happen?
I blinked. Wasn't I supposed to be the one in love with him? And didn't he always hate me? Was this another test? A way to prove to his friend that the hypnosis was a complete success?
I lowered my eyes. Im just surprised. I thought you didnt like me.
He pulled me back against him, his fingers tilting my chin up. Youve been staring at me all night. Im just giving you what you want. He studied my face. Or am I wrong?
I held his gaze for a long moment, then lowered my head and kissed his fingers where they rested on my chin.
I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes before he swept me into his arms and carried me into his bedroom.
That night, my body and my memories split apart.
I remembered the year Id spent caring for a bitter, broken Will after his accident, when hed driven everyone else away with his rage.
The day he finally walked again, he held me so tight I could barely breathe.
I knew we were from different worlds, but hed sworn hed disown his family before he let me go.
The year my mother died, he held me and promised he would always be there for me.
Last year, he lit up the entire night sky with fireworks and asked me to be his wife.
This year, he grew tired of me. He had my mind altered so I would fall for another man, just so he could sleep with someone new.
He held a younger, prettier girl and said goodbye.

Sometime in the dead of night, I woke up thirsty. The dim light filtering through the window showed an empty space beside me in the bed.
I padded barefoot out of the slightly ajar door and heard voices coming from the living room downstairs.

5
Shouldn't you be tucked in with your little bunny right now? Why are you calling me? It was Adrian.
Its just weird, Wills voice crackled through the phone. Not having Lara next to me. Im not used to it.
Is she okay over there? Shes in a guest room, right?
Of course, Adrian chuckled dryly. Cant have her sleeping on the couch, can we?
Thanks, man. Seriously. But I have to admit, seeing her kiss you today it didn't feel good. I remember when she was a blank canvas, you know? And I was the only one who ever got to paint on it.
Tsk. Getting sentimental? Your new canvas isn't so bad, or you wouldn't have gone to all this trouble, Adrian shot back.
Its different, Adrian. My subconscious just knows that Lara belongs to me, body and soul. So if she gets too close, you need to keep your distance. You dont even like her, so itll just make you uncomfortable anyway.
Relax. You know me. You, on the other hand, might want to hang up. Your girl might wake up and wonder why youre on the phone asking about your ex-fiance.
Right. Talk later.
I turned and slipped back into the room as silently as Id left.
A moment later, the door opened and he came in. He saw me sitting up.
Whats wrong? Need the bathroom? he asked, his voice soft as he walked toward me.
Im thirsty, I said.
Stay put. Ill get you some water.
He returned with a glass, and I drank it down. He set the empty glass on the nightstand, then gathered me into his arms, his fingers gently tracing the line of my jaw.
He leaned in, his lips brushing mine. Since youre awake, he murmured, how about another round?
He pressed me back against the pillows.
My eyes were wide open.
Will had just said those words on the phone.
And his best friend was now doing this.
Will had no idea that the brother he trusted with his little scheme was tangled up in the sheets with me on the very first night.

6
Adrian said he was taking me to a birthday party. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized it was for Lily, hosted by Will.
The lavish ballroom was a fantasy of fresh flower petals and balloons. All of Will's friends were there, celebrating her. Lily, in a pristine white dress, looked like a princess, basking in the glow of adoration.
She tugged playfully on Wills arm, pulling him down to her level. She whispered something in his ear, then gave him a quick, darting kiss on the cheek before hiding her face, all innocent shyness. She was the perfect picture of a pure, harmless little bunny.
Will was clearly smitten, giving her nose a playful tap.
Then he looked up and saw me walking in with Adrian.
His smile froze. For a split second, I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes before he masked it.
Oh, Adrian, Lara! Thank you so much for coming to my party! Lily called out, her voice bright and cheerful.
A moment later, a cascade of fireworks erupted over the lake outside. Will had arranged it for her.
Lily gasped, her eyes wide with delight as she watched the sky. The other guests pointed and murmured in appreciation. These were the same friends who had been there last year, on my birthday.
Will had set off fireworks for me, too.
And as Id watched them, overwhelmed with joy, he had dropped to one knee.
He held up a ring. Lara, hed said, his voice thick with emotion, twenty-something years ago, your mother brought you into this world and gave you a past. Today, I want to take over for her. I want to be the one to love you and take care of you in your future.
I had cried, letting him slide the ring onto my finger.
Now, he had made me a spectator, forced to watch him give all of that to someone else.
Do you like it? he asked Lily softly.
Yes! she nodded emphatically, leaning into his embrace. Im so happy, so incredibly happy. I wish this moment could last forever.
Will hugged her, stroking her hair. Silly girl, he chuckled.
Suddenly, a jacket was draped over my shoulders.
I turned to see Adrian beside me.
Its getting cold, he said simply.
When the fireworks faded, we all went back inside. I was on my way back from the restroom when I heard voices from the stairwell.

7
Adrian, why are you being so considerate, putting your coat on Lara? It was Will.
Funny, Adrian shot back. In a moment like that, you had time to notice?
Im just surprised. Since when are you so thoughtful? Wills voice was laced with suspicion.
Shes staying at my place, isnt she? If I dont look out for her and she gets sick, am I supposed to take care of her? Or are you volunteering? Adrian retorted.
Will was silent for a moment.
You two looked pretty happy tonight, Adrian continued. Lily really seems to brighten you up.
Yeah, Will said, his voice softening. Being with her feels like it did with Lara in the beginning. Shes sweet, shes uncomplicated. It makes me want to spoil her.
Lilys another blank canvas for you. Youve been with Lara for years, youre bored. Why not just let this be the new reality? Let Lara find her own happiness somewhere else, Adrian suggested.
I didnt wait for Wills answer. I walked away.

Back at Adrians place, he pulled me into another kiss the moment we were through the door.
Later, in bed, he was toying with my hair as I lay with my back to him.
I found an apartment, I said suddenly. Ill move out tomorrow.
He went still. He turned me over to face him, his eyes narrowed. Youre moving out? After all this?
I looked at him. Its not right, for us to be living like this
He cupped my jaw. So it was right to live with Will, but now that youre my woman, its not right to live with me?
I just I remember you used to hate me, I said, confused.
A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. Arent you in love with me? Im just making your wish come true. If were not together, you broke up with Will for nothing, didnt you?
I stared into his eyes. Youre so kind. What if this makes me love you even more?
A genuine smile broke across his face, and he kissed me hard.
This man, it seemed, was genuinely happy that I loved him.
I let him have his way, my mind already spinning, planning.

8
That weekend, the whole crew went to a villa on the coast. Lily brought along two of her old college friends, a move Will seemed to indulge without a second thought.
I was lounging on a sofa chair by the shimmering pool, the vast blue ocean stretching out before me. I reached for the bowl of cherries on the table beside me.
Just as my fingers brushed the fruit, the entire bowl was snatched away.
Lara, my friends and I were just craving these. You dont mind if I take them, do you? Lily asked, already walking away with the bowl in her hand.
I watched as she took it over to where her friends were sitting.
Lily, isnt she Adrian Vances girlfriend? one of them whispered, clearly thinking it was a bold move.
Lily scoffed. Girlfriend? Please. After Will broke up with her for me, he felt sorry for her, so he asked his friend Adrian to look after her. Adrian cant stand her.
Her friends eyes widened in understanding. Oh, so thats how it is.
Youre amazing, Lily. Were so lucky to know you.
Seriously, getting to hang out in a place like this, meeting all these powerful, handsome men its all thanks to you.
We always knew you were destined for great things, Lily. And look at you now, with Will Orlando so in love with you. Youre going to be a lady of society.
She could kick her out of that chair and no one would say a thing. Shes just Wills ex. Lilys being merciful by even letting her sit there.
The two friends fawned and flattered, echoing Lilys own contempt. She sat there, preening under their praise, popping cherries into her mouth like a queen.
It was so transparentshed brought them here to show off, to be admired. I shook my head slightly and settled back into the chair, too bored to care.
Just then, Adrian walked out of the villa.
Oh, Adrian! Lily called out sweetly.
He ignored her completely and came straight to me. He leaned down, gently stroking my cheek. I wasnt asleep, so I playfully pushed his hand away. He just chuckled, then lifted me up and settled me onto his lap.
I rolled my eyes and slid off, but the lounge chair was big enough for two. I shifted to give him space. He sighed in mock defeat but settled for tucking me into the crook of his arm. He glanced at the empty table, frowned, and snapped his fingers. A server appeared instantly, and Adrian ordered a platter of fresh fruit.
As Lily and her friends watched Adrian intimately nestle me against him and feed me a slice of mango, I saw them whispering again. Lily, didnt you say
Lilys expression soured. But then she saw Will approaching.
Will, she cooed, her voice instantly soft.
He walked over, but his eyes were fixed on me and Adrian. I saw his jaw tighten as Adrian held a grape to my lips.

9
He walked over to Lilys side. She immediately shooed her friends away, and they scurried off.
I took the grape from Adrians fingers and touched it to my own lips before playfully offering it to him.
I saw his Adams apple bob as he opened his mouth to take it.
At the last second, I pulled it back and popped it into my own mouth, laughing.
Lara Adrian groaned, then leaned in to steal a kiss.
Stop, I giggled, turning my head. As I did, my eyes met Wills. He was staring, his face a thundercloud.
Will? Lily was trying to offer him a piece of fruit, but he wasnt paying attention.
He tore his gaze away from us, his lips a thin, hard line.
I turned my back to him and took a bite of the strawberry Adrian was now offering me.
It was true. There was a time when I was only ever like this with Will. I only laughed in his arms, only shared these playful moments with him.
Now, it was time to learn how to give them to another man.

I went inside the villa to charge my phone and, once again, overheard a conversation from the stairwell.
Adrian, what the hell? Why are you suddenly all over her? We had a deal, Will hissed, his voice tight with anger.
Will, dont forget, youre the one who made her fall in love with me. Her feelings for me are uncontrollable, Adrian said calmly. And since shes living with me, did you really expect us to have zero contact? What am I supposed to do, keep her locked in my house as a platonic roommate? If she feels unwelcome, shell leave. And the next thing you know, while youre off playing with your new toy, some other guy will have swept in and taken her.
I had to suppress a laugh. Adrian was a master manipulator.
And Will was falling for it. Just keep your distance. You hate her, dont you? You used to complain every time you saw her with me. So why are you acting so close now?
You know how I am, Adrian said with a dismissive wave in his voice. Better the devil you know. Why sweat the small stuff?
There was a pause.
Then Adrian added, Of course, if you feel like shes been tainted, no longer pure enough for you, you could always choose to make a permanent change
Shut up, Adrian, Will snapped.

Later that afternoon, we all went down to the beach. I was wearing a light, white button-down shirt over my bikini, my feet bare on the warm sand. Adrian had gone back to the villa to grab my phone.
Ouch!
Something sharp dug into the sole of my foot. I cried out, stumbling.
Will, who was walking with Lily nearby, rushed over and grabbed my arm to steady me. Are you okay?
Im fine. I pulled my arm away and checked my foot. Just a sharp shell, no blood.
What the hell is that on your collarbone? Wills voice was suddenly low and dangerous, his eyes locked on my chest.

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