Chapter 3
703 Words
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Cameron pulled up outside the house to wait for her.
Autumn sat quietly in the passenger seat, watching the scenery pass by the window. She ignored every attempt Cameron made to have a conversation.
When the car stopped, Cameron took her hand and led her inside the beach house against her will.
He pushed open the front door, and the space was pitch black. Then a loud bang exploded right beside her ear, startling her so much that her questions turned into a sharp scream.
Before she could catch her breath, voices rose all around her, shouting, "Happy Birthday!" in perfect unison.
The lights flooded on. The room was decorated with breathtaking luxury, fresh rose petals covering every inch of the floor, and a soft, sweet scent hanging in the air. Dozens of pale pink and white balloons drifted against the ceiling, each one tied to a small photograph.
Autumn froze where she stood. She recognized every image: her and Cameron beneath the Eiffel Tower, their selfie kissing while gliding through Venice, their silhouettes watching the sunrise over the ocean.
These had once been their most precious memories. Now they felt like a cruel joke.
Cameron pulled her into his arms, brushing confetti gently from her hair.
"So baby... do you like the surprise I—" He stopped shortly.
Autumn followed his gaze, and her breath caught.
Standing there was the very reason for every fight they had ever had.
Julianne stepped forward with perfect ease, holding out her hand.
"Cameron! Fancy seeing you here. And this must be your wife, right? Happy birthday! I'm actually here for my own birthday too. I ran into some friends, heard there was a party going on, and thought the more, the merrier. I hope you don't mind?"
Cameron paled. He was terrified Autumn would cause a scene and embarrass him in front of everyone.
He was about to speak when Autumn simply smiled and shook Julianne's hand.
"Not at all. Birthdays are always better with a crowd. I'm Autumn, Cameron's wife. And you are...?"
Her calm, clear tone made Julianne's smile falter. She hesitated for a moment before forcing a tight smile of her own.
"I'm Julianne. I'm... a very close friend of Cameron's."
Seeing her flustered, Autumn felt a strange sense of lightness return. She didn't care about the title anymore. She just couldn't stand how Julianne pretended to be innocent while doing exactly what she was doing.
Cameron squeezed her hand so hard it almost hurt enough to make her cry out.
The air turned sharp and cold, so guests quickly started talking over each other to lighten the mood.
Everyone gathered to drink and play games, laughing loudly. But Autumn had never cared for this kind of noise. She preferred the quiet beauty of the Mist Coast shoreline, so she made an excuse and slipped outside.
She kicked off her shoes and stepped into the warm sand, walking toward the water.
Watching the sun dip low over the horizon, she finally felt her shoulders relax.
That peace didn't last long. Voices carried over from the dunes nearby.
Just a short distance away, Cameron had Julianne pressed tight against him, kissing her hungrily.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was rough and breathless. "Stop giving me the silent treatment, okay? I told you, the papers are signed, but the cooling-off period isn't over yet. If she changes her mind, it all gets called off. Then how will you be my girlfriend properly?"
Julianne pouted, looping her arms around his neck. "I don't care! I'm jealous! Am I not allowed to be moody?"
She nipped gently at his ear, and Cameron leaned into her, growing visibly restless.
Just as he was about to lose control, she pulled back.
"No. I told you, I wouldn't be the other woman. Once you're officially divorced, you can do whatever you want with me."
"Fine! Then be ready for me!"
They kissed again, long and hard, until Cameron finally headed back toward the house.
Julianne stayed behind to fix her lipstick.
Autumn turned to leave, and Julianne called out without even looking up.
"Been listening long? What do you think?"
- Writer
