Falling Chandelier Shattered Our Love

They say when danger strikes, your gut reaction never lies. When the chandelier came crashing down, Harrison Sterling shielded Lulu Monroe without a heartbeat's hesitation. That was the moment I realized our five years together was nothing but a bad joke.

I broke up with him on the spot and moved out of our apartment. His friends all placed bets on how long I'd last before crawling back. Harrison just smirked and said, "Give her a week, tops."

Later, when we crossed paths at a high-end gala, I acted like he was a total stranger. It's better that we both move on and stay out of each other's lives. But the second my dance partner's hand touched my waist, Harrison was there, trying to mark his territory.

"Excuse me, she's my girlfriend," he snapped. I just laughed in his face. "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

1.

The moment the chandelier fell, I saw Harrison Sterling pull Lulu Monroe into his arms. I couldn't dodge in time. My ankle twisted, and I collapsed onto the floor in a heap.

A nearby server kindly asked if I was okay. I looked at my reddening ankle, then at Harrison, who was whispering sweet comforts to Lulu. I couldn't help but scoff inwardly. Five years of devotion, and it was all a farce.

The pain in my ankle kept me from moving, but the ache deep in my heart was far worse. "Harrison, let's break up," I said.

The perfect couple finally seemed to remember I existed. Lulu shyly pushed Harrison away and tried to explain herself. "Elara, please don't misunderstand. It was just Harrison's instinct to protect me"

Harrison Hah! I ignored her and repeated myself firmly. "Let's break up."

Harrison frowned, looking like he couldn't believe I was making a scene. He spoke coldly. "Fine. If you're going to be this unreasonable, there's nothing I can do."

As I left, I overheard him talking to his friends. "How long do you think she'll hold out this time?" they asked. Harrison's confident voice drifted toward me. "A week, tops."

It had been a month since I moved out of the apartment. Two weeks ago, Lulu called me. "Elara, stop fighting with Harrison. It's all my fault."

I let out a cold laugh. "You're not at fault. He and I just weren't a good match."

She wouldn't let it go. "Stop being angry. Just make up with him already. Don't do this because of meD"

"Are you deaf? I told you, it's not because of you!" I snapped. As soon as the words left my mouth, Harrison's voice cut in.

"Elara Vance, how can you talk to Lulu like that?" Lulu's voice sounded weak and aggrieved in the background. "Harrison, don't be mad at Elara I'm fine"

I took a deep breath, realizing this whole phone call was a staged performance. "Elara, you are being completely irrational," Harrison said before hanging up.

I stared at my phone screen in a daze. Why did I ever love this man? We met five years ago at a violin recital.

Back then, he was a perfect gentleman, like a prince stepping out of a dream. I was like a moth drawn to a flame, diving headfirst into the fantasy Harrison built for me. At every concert after that, I played my heart out on stage, and he was always my most loyal listener.

"Harrison, what do you love most about me?" I once asked. He told me, "I cherish everything about you. Your music makes me feel like I'm in a dream."

I used to stroke my favorite violin, believing I had found my soulmate. But everything started to change last winter. An intern named Lulu Monroe joined Harrison's company.

At first, Harrison complained to me more than once about how clumsy and ignorant she was. He said she messed up every single task. I was the one who told him to be patient and give the girl a chance.

After she blew a major deal, Harrison finally lost his temper and decided to fire her. It was snowing that day, and our doorbell wouldn't stop ringing. I woke up and opened the door to see a face pale from the cold.

Lulu begged me, "Please, don't let Mr. Sterling fire me! I can't lose this job!" I looked at her, feeling awkward, and told her to come inside to warm up. After all, I didn't interfere with Harrison's business.

Lulu wouldn't budge. She crouched by the door, crying silently, and insisted on waiting for Harrison to come home. I hurried to call him.

Within ten minutes, Harrison rushed back, looking frantic. "Lulu, what are you doing?"

Seeing him, Lulu looked up with a pale, tear-stained face. "Mr. Sterling, please don't fire me. I'll do better!" As she spoke, her frail body collapsed into Harrison's arms.

As she fainted, I heard Harrison's voice crack with panic. "Lulu!"

2.

Harrison carried her into the house. As he passed me, he threw me a look of blame. "Next time she comes here, remember to let her inside immediately."

I didn't say a word, worried about Lulu's well-being. Luckily, she was just suffering from the cold. When she woke up, she begged Harrison again not to fire her.

Harrison looked like he had run out of options. He spoke with a hint of indulgence. "Alright, you little troublemaker. I'll personally train you. Happy now?"

From then on, Lulu became Harrison's secretary. They worked together every day. As time passed, they grew more in sync.

The cold, sharp CEO and his quirky secretaryDeven the employees started saying they were a perfect match. "Did you know? Your staff thinks you and Lulu are a couple," I told him, trying to remind him to keep his distance.

He just answered coldly. "You actually care about that? It's just office gossip. Try to be more open-minded."

Harrison and I had fought about Lulu many times, but gut reactions don't lie. He had already lost his heart. I wasn't going to let an unfaithful man waste any more of my life.

I touched my violin again, deciding to cut Harrison out of my heart for good. The youngest son of the Mercer family in Chicago was throwing a birthday bash on a private island. I attended as part of the hired orchestra.

After the performance, my colleagues headed for the dance floor. I sat in a corner and spotted a familiar face. Harrison was teaching Lulu how to dance.

She was clearly a beginner, constantly stepping on his shoes. He wasn't angry. Instead, he just laughed and playfully tapped her nose.

I took a sip of my cocktail and looked away. "Hi there. Could I ask you to be my dance partner?"

A youthful voice spoke near my ear. I looked up at the handsome young man and smiled. "Kid, your ears are turning red."

His face flushed even deeper. He looked at me nervously, like a lost puppy. I was worried he might cry if I kept him waiting, so I reached out my hand. "Sure. I'd love to be your partner."

Before he could touch me, a tall figure stepped between us. "Elara Vance, what do you think you're doing?"

Harrison looked at me with a dark expression. He sneered, "Don't forget, I haven't agreed to the breakup yet."

"A breakup is a notification, not a request for permission," I replied. I ignored him and stepped toward the cute younger guy.

"Fine. Don't regret this," Harrison snapped before walking away. I watched him go, then caught Lulu staring at me with pure hostility.

The young guy beside me was still looking at me expectantly. I took his hand and led him to the dance floor. We moved perfectly in sync.

I was surprised. I'm usually very picky about rhythm, but this partner was incredible. He was actually better than Harrison was the first time we danced.

When we exchanged contact info, I realized he was the star of the party. Damian Mercer. The Mercer family was low-key, so I had never met him before. This grand celebration was for his return from studying abroad.

The party drinks were sweet, but they were stronger than they tasted. While I was still somewhat sober, I decided to head to the beach to clear my head. The salty sea breeze felt refreshing.

But the sight of two figures in the distance instantly ruined my mood. Harrison and Lulu were locked in a passionate kiss.

3.

I didn't want to watch them being disgusting, so I turned to leave. "Elara!" Lulu called out, chasing after me.

She cornered me and demanded, "Why were you throwing yourself at that other guy? You made Harrison so miserable tonight!" I looked at her, completely speechless. I had no patience for her stupidity.

She kept pestering me. "You're the one who betrayed Harrison first. Since you're separated, stop bothering us!"

I stopped and looked down at her. "You already got what you wanted, so stop testing me. I don't care about Harrison Sterling anymore. Looking at the two of you makes me sick."

Lulu stared at me, her face twisting with frustration. She wanted to argue, but she couldn't find the words. After six months of training under Harrison, she was still just as dim-witted as ever.

Her eyes welled up, and she started to cry. Harrison rushed over and pulled her behind him, shouting at me. "You're bullying Lulu again! Elara, I used to think you were just petty, but now I see you're actually malicious!"

I looked at Lulu behind him. There wasn't a single tear on her faceDjust a smug, triumphant grin. I smirked.

"Harrison, are we officially broken up now?" I asked. He didn't know I had just seen them kissing, so he thought I was regretting the breakup.

"Have you finally thought it through? Tell me what's going on with that guy, and I might consider forgiving you," he said. He didn't confirm the breakup, which caused Lulu's expression to drop instantly.

"You still think I'm the one in the wrong? I saw what you and Lulu were doing just now. Since everything is out in the open, let's make a clean break. I'm done with you, Harrison. You don't deserve my love."

The wind whipped my white dress around me. I turned my back on the dark coastline and walked back into the bright lights of the gala.

Lulu officially became Harrison's girlfriend. I hadn't seen them since the island party. Damian Mercer had been texting me constantly lately, usually sending ten messages for every one of mine.

I wasn't stupid. I knew what his enthusiasm meant. But having just escaped Harrison, I didn't want to get played by another guy in disguise. Damian seemed sincere, but I was afraid to try again.

The orchestra was in its off-season, so I decided to look for a temporary gig while students were on summer break. As soon as I sent out my resume, someone contacted me.

A couple wanted their son to learn an instrument over the summer. I told them the kid was a total beginner and wouldn't master the violin in such a short time. They were very polite and said they didn't expect him to be a pro; they just wanted to enrich his life.

Rich people, clearly. I took the job and showed up at the designated house. But when the little boy told me his name, I froze.

"Hi teacher, I'm Milo Mercer." The last name Mercer, and clearly wealthy. I wondered if he was related to Damian.

Sure enough, during our break, Damian walked in. "Uncle Damian!" the boy cheered.

So that was the connection. Damian smiled at me. "What a coincidence. Do you mind if I sit in on the lesson?"

I nodded. Milo's parents were rightDhe wasn't the patient type. He was excited at first, but lost interest before the hour was up. I felt a bit guilty taking such a high salary for a forty-minute lesson.

Damian said, "It's fine. We didn't expect him to be a prodigy anyway. Do you have plans later?"

4.

Damian had asked me out several times, but I always used work as an excuse. This time, I had none. I nodded. "I'm free."

In person, he wasn't as bold as he was over text. He stammered for a moment before finally asking, "Then would you like to grab dinner with me?"

The restaurant was cool and sophisticated. The soft music helped melt away the stress of the day. As soon as we sat down, Damian's phone rang. He gestured that he needed to take it outside.

I nodded and told the server to come back in a few minutes. I felt a gaze on me and looked up, locking eyes with Harrison Sterling. He was sitting across the room with Lulu.

What a small world. I had no intention of talking to them, so I looked back down at my phone. But Lulu just had to get up and walk over. She saw my empty table and looked satisfied.

"Elara, are you here all by yourself?" she asked snidely. I didn't look up. "Are you blind?"

"You you!" She sputtered but couldn't think of a comeback, stomping back to her table.

She whispered something to Harrison and kept tugging on his arm. Harrison looked annoyed by the public display of affection. After a moment, he stood up and started walking toward me.

Just then, Damian returned from his call. I saw Harrison freeze mid-step, his eyes wide with shock.

"Did you order yet?" Damian asked. I shook my head. "I was waiting for you."

During dinner, Damian carefully cut my food and took care of the little things without making a fuss. He didn't push for conversation, but his actions spoke volumes.

As we finished, I noticed his awkwardness and started a topic. "Milo is your brother's son, right? Does he have any hobbies? I want to find a way to keep him interested in the next lesson."

Damian relaxed and smiled. "He's a little boy, so he's obsessed with race cars. You might want to try talking to him about those." The atmosphere became much lighter.

After the meal, I went to the restroom to touch up my makeup. When I stepped out, Harrison was standing there. I assumed he was waiting for Lulu and tried to walk past him.

He grabbed my arm. "Since when did you become so close with Damian Mercer?" At the party, he didn't realize who Damian was, but the news of the Mercer heir was public now.

I frowned and shook off his hand. "None of your business."

Harrison looked angry. "Elara, I know you're still mad about Lulu and me, but was it really all my fault?"

I stared at him, wondering if he even understood human language. I had told him repeatedly that we were over. Why did he keep bothering me?

"Harrison, I'm not angry. We are nothing to each other. Lulu is your girlfriend now, and I don't care what you two do."

He was stunned into silence. Suddenly, Lulu came charging down the hallway, her heels clicking loudly. "Elara, why are you still chasing Harrison?"

She looked furious. "You already hooked up with Damian Mercer, so why are you still acting like a shameless home-wrecker? Can't you live without a man?"

Her words were so foul that even Harrison winced. People in the hallway began to stop and stare at us.

5.

Lulu didn't care about the attention. She was convinced I was trying to steal Harrison back. I tried to ignore her, but she grabbed my arm.

"Stop! Don't you dare leave! I'm Harrison's official girlfriend now!"

"Enough!" Harrison snapped. "Stop embarrassing yourself."

He looked at me. "Elara, listen to me. Stay away from Damian Mercer. He's not as nice as he looks." I walked away without giving him an answer.

Damian was still waiting at the table, tapping out a rhythm on his phone. "Sorry I took so long. Let's go." Damian smiled and shook his head. "It's okay. I'd wait forever for you."

Life went on. I looked at the calendar and realized Professor Gable's birthday was less than two weeks away. She was my violin mentor, the one who truly opened the world of music to me.

I sent her a text. "Hi Professor, I heard you're back in the country. I'd love to come by and celebrate your birthday." She replied almost instantly.

"Of course! Invite your fellow students. It's been too long since we all got together."

I smiled, remembering my school days. When my parents got divorced, I felt abandoned. Professor Gable was the one who noticed the sadness in my music.

She told me that everyone is an individual and you can't expect people to live for you. She taught me that music is the only thing that never betrays you. Music is just the shape of your emotions.

I searched my room for my old graduation photo but couldn't find it. I realized it must still be at Harrison's apartment. I didn't want to see him, but that photo was irreplaceable.

Since I had blocked him, I had to go to his office. The receptionist didn't know me, so I just sat on the sofa waiting for him to finish work.

"You bitch! How dare you show your face here?" Lulu screamed as she stormed over.

She stood in front of me, trembling with rage. "Are you here to beg Harrison to take you back? You're acting like a disgusting homewrecker! Give it up!"

I stood up and looked down at her. "Have you already forgotten how you got your position? Don't forget your roots, Lulu." Her face turned beet red.

"What are you talking about? Harrison won't see you. Get out!"

I sat back down calmly. "I just need something I left at the apartment. Then I'm gone."

Just then, Harrison stepped out of the elevator. He saw me and looked smug. "What's this? Couldn't go even a few weeks without begging for a second chance? I'm with Lulu now, Elara."

Lulu ran to his side and hugged his arm. I kept my face blank. "I need a photo I left at the apartment."

Harrison looked confused. "Is this just an excuse to get close to me?"

I laughed coldly. "Harrison, that photo is of me and Professor Gable. You think you're important enough to compare to that?"

"Elara Vance! Do you always have to be so difficult?" Harrison snapped.