STILL FRESH
986 Words
Scarlett’s heart felt restless as recalled her ex-fiancé’s betrayal. It consumed her. No matter how hard she made efforts, she couldn’t shake the pain of how he shattered her heart. A relationship she spent five years building. The committee, everything she tolerated just to keep the love away from destruction.
She managed to sit down. But tears rolled down her cheeks.
She remembered the whole incident.
Nine years ago….
Scarlett Monroe rotated in front of the mirror. Her satin gown was sliding gently as she adored the diamond engagement ring on her left index finger. The way it caught the light, the way it glitters - it was stunning and she loved it.
Just like her life. As beautiful as always.
She smiled, running her fingers over the band. Daniel Carter had proposed to her in Santorini. It was under the soft glow of lanterns. That time, the ocean waves were crashing behind them. It had been a dream, the kind of love story every woman longed for.
At least, that is what she had believed and needed.
Still happy, she heard a knock at the door which pulled her from her thoughts.
“Come in,” she called, expecting her secretary.
But when she turned, the smile on her face froze.
Naomi Carter, her best friend.
Scarlett frowned. Naomi“? What are you doing here?”
The woman’s expression was suspicious as she stepped inside. She was gripping something in her hands.
“What are you holding, Naomi?” Scarlett was restless.
“It is a flash drive. I saw something and I think you should be aware of it. Naomi said quietly, her voice uncertain.
“What do you mean?” Scarlett responded.
“I need to show you something. I don't have to keep this cockroach in my cupboard anymore” Naomi said quietly.
Scarlett’s stomach clenched. “What is it?”
Naomi hesitated before handing her the flash drive. “I was doubtful if I should do this. But you gotta know the truth before it’s too late.”
“The truth about what?”
Naomi exhaled heavily. “Daniel.”
Scarlett’s heart throbbed in her chest. “What about Daniel?”
Naomi bit her lip. “Just watch the video, Scarlett. I’m sincerely sorry. I never planned it”
With that, she turned and walked out. Scarlett standing there, confusion and fear tightening around her like a noose.
Her hands trembled as she plugged the flash drive into her laptop. A single file appeared on the screen saved as Daniel_Whitmore@HotelSuite.mp4.
Scarlett clicked it.
The screen flickered to life, and her world shattered.
Daniel was there, in a dimly lit hotel room. But he wasn’t alone.
Another lady was with him.
Naomi, my best friend.
Fuck!
And they weren’t just talking.
Scarlett’s vision blurred as she watched the man she loved, her fiancé undress another woman. She saw as his man's hands roamed her body and his mouth whispering things Scarlett had once believed were meant for her alone.
She saw the love of her life f**k another lady.
She felt sick.
Her body shook as the video continued, every second a stab to her heart.
This could not be real.
But it was.
A strangled sob escaped her lips as she slammed the laptop shut, her breath coming in sharp gasps.
She had given him everything—her trust, her heart, her future.
And he had destroyed it.
Scarlett was clueless about how she got outside. The cool night air did little to extinguish the fire searing through her. She marched through the city streets. Her heels slammed against the pavement. Rage burned inside her. Heartache swirled like a violent storm.
She should have seen the signs. The late-night meetings. The unavailability. Unable to discuss marriage with her. The sudden change in his affection. The way Naomi always seemed to be around.
Scarlett had ignored it all, choosing instead to believe in their perfect love.
But love was a lie. Love is bullshit.
And so was Daniel
Her phone buzzed in her clutch. Daniel.
She ignored it.
It buzzed again. And again.
Finally, she picked up, her voice sharp. “What do you want?”
“Scarlett,” Daniel’s voice was laced with frustration. “Naomi just called me. Whatever she told you, don’t believe it.”
Scarlett let out a bitter laugh. “So, the video she gave me—should I not believe that either?”
Silence.
Then, a sigh. “Scarlett, I—”
“I trusted you.” Her voice broke. “I loved you. And you—”
She choked back a sob, refusing to let him hear her cry.
“I never meant to hurt you,” Daniel said softly. “It just… happened.”
Fuck you, Daniel.
Don't you ever fail this line again.
You cheated on me with my best friend.
Listen!
Scarlett squeezed her eyes shut, anger pulsing through her veins. “People don’t just accidentally cheat, Daniel .”
More silence.
Finally, he spoke again. “Scarlett, please. We can talk about this—”
“Talk about what exactly?” Scarlett responded furiously.
She ended the call.
Deleted his number.
And with that, she erased Daniel from her life.
No form of attachment. No call. No visitation. Nothing more.
But no matter how much she tried, she could never erase the pain he left behind.
$$$
Present Day….
Scarlett snapped out of her thoughts, blinking away the painful memories.
She was back in her office, sitting in front of her untouched Laptop since morning.
She got up and decided to walk around. She is just dumbfounded how a man she was deeply in love would cheat on her with her best friend.
Well, that is all in the past now.
It had been nine years, yet the betrayal still felt fresh.
“Oh God! Help me.” She prayed.
- Writer
