I Loved Him Until He Was Too Late

I Loved Him Until He Was Too Late

Author: Patricia Johnston

Chapter 5: Under the Willow’s Shadow

Eventually, I decided to ask him outright. We met by the lake under a willow, moonlight silver on the water. My hands shook. Before I could say a word, Jasmine appeared—cute, confident, and clearly close to Ethan. Jealousy twisted in my stomach.

She was wearing his sweatshirt, hair pulled back in a messy ponytail, and she walked right up like she belonged there.

“Who’s she?” she demanded.

Ethan looked uncomfortable. “She’s just a club member.”

That stung.

So that’s all I was to him—a name on a roster. I forced a smile, made my excuses, and left.

My heart felt like it had dropped into the lake. I walked away quickly, blinking back tears. The willow branches brushed my shoulder. I told myself not to look back. Not this time.

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