You Broke Me First

Chapter 3 - The Setup

She was right there—his wife.

Half-naked. Wrapped in his brother’s arms.

Ray took a step back,

Then he blinked, once. Twice.

Maybe he was imagining it. Maybe if he closed his eyes, it’d all disappear.

But it didn’t.

His stomach churned.

“I—” The word barely made it past his lips, strangled and raw. He didn’t even know what he was trying to say.

He looked away but his eyes landed on something that made his chest tighten,

just beside the bed, a used condom lay there like proof of what had gone down. Mocking him.

Ray couldn’t move.

All he could do was stare at them.

“How—How long?” he finally asked with a low, cracking voice, “How long has this been going on?”

No one answered.

Ray said nothing else. He just stood there and kept mute until Lara stretched awake,

“Ray?” She called his name softly the moment she saw him, like he hadn't just caught her cheating under his roof,

Lara cast her gaze downward when she felt something sticking to her skin,

“My Goodness!!!” She yelped out with shock, swiftly jumping out of the bed,

Colin. He was right on the same bed she had slept on with only his shorts on.

And she…she was just in her underwear—How?! Why?!

Lara immediately crossed arms around herself, “What is going on here?” The question slipped out of her tongue in a confused whisper,

Ray only stared at her, not saying a single word,

Meanwhile, Colin nonchalantly climbed down from the bed. He picked his clothes from the floor and walked close to where Ray stood unmoving,

“Don't blame me, little brother. Your wife begged me for this,” He winked at Ray and even tapped his shoulders before walking out of the room,

Ray's hand flinched, meaning to stop and confront him, but nothing happened. He couldn't move.

“Wha—What happened? Tell me?” Lara begged desperately, confusion making her headache,

But Ray turned away from her. He just pulled out his phone and dialed his lawyer's number,

“Prepare the divorce documents and bring them to me In 30 minutes,” The call ended,

Lara's knees buckled at what she just heard him say,

“No,” She shook her head, “No, no, no, this doesn’t make any sense. I don’t remember this. I don’t remember any of this!”

Ray didn’t speak. He just stared at her like she was a stranger.

A stranger getting on his last thing nerves.

“I would never…” Lara continued, her voice cracking, “I would never hurt you like this on purpose. You have to believe me. Something is wrong. I—I must have been drugged or—”

“Stop,” Ray said. Just one word. Sharp and low.

It cut through her like glass.

“I stood there and watched you sleep in his arms, Lara. Do you know what that did to me?” Ray struggled to control the trembling In his voice,

Lara took a shaky step forward, eyes wide and blurry, “I didn't do it, I swear. You have to believe me, Ray. I would never cheat on you,”

“Stop,” Ray’s voice cracked like thunder, making her flinch. “Don’t lie. Don’t make it worse.”

“I’m not lying!” she cried out. “I don’t know what happened, Ray. I don’t! One moment I was in our room, and the next—God, how did he even get in here? Why would he—?”

Ray’s jaw clenched, his silence heavier than a scream. For a brief second, doubt flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly,

He turned away again. Slowly, deliberately.

“Get out of my house. I don't even want to see you,” His heart ached at his own words,

He didn't want to do this. But how could he look at her the same way, knowing she had cheated on him—Something he would never do to her?

To think he had been willing to give up his CEO position for her?

To think he had been willing to get on his knees and ask her to forgive him for how uncaring he had been towards her?

He had even been willing to let her know that having kids didn't matter—All that mattered to him was them being together still,

But now everything was ruined—His love and patience for her. Gone.

“I will let you know when the divorce papers are ready. Leave,” Were the last words he said to her before walking away,

Lara dropped to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks,

What the hell just happened?

Why couldn't she even remember anything?

All she remembered was walking into the room after the conversation with Helen and then till this morning when she woke up.

“What have I done?” She whimpered, burying her face in her trembling hands,

***

That same morning, Colin walked into his apartment with the bag of coke he had received as a done deal from Irene,

Without wasting time, he plunged down on his couch and dragged a table closer,

He poured the Coke on the table, excitement building up in him,

He took a quick sniff of the powder—And within seconds, his body jolted.

His vision blurred.

His throat tightened.

Then came the burning in his chest, like fire moving through his lungs.

Colin staggered to his feet, panic flashing in his eyes.

This wasn't how it was supposed to feel—It was supposed to feel good. Not feel like death.

He tried to call out, but no sound came. Just a choked gasp.

His limbs gave out. He crashed to the floor, convulsing.

Just a few minutes later, the door to his apartment opened and Irene strolled towards him,

She stood before Colin's lifeless body and grinned proudly from ear to ear,

Just like she wanted it.

Quick. Clean.

The front door opened again and Carol walked in, holding a black nylon,

“Did you bring it?” Irene turned to her,

Carol nodded.

“Good,” Irene smirked. “Now do your job,”