Love chasers

*Lena* “How could you?” My voice is steady, but the words c***k like thunder in the air between us. I’m not yelling… I simply lack the energy for that kind of drama. But this isn’t a timid whisper either; it carries the weight of betrayal with an edge of pain. James, my fiancé, rolls his eyes with the kind of casual disdain that makes my skin crawl. The bimbo waitress standing beside him giggles, a sound that grates on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Seriously, Lena, why are you making such a fuss about it? It was nothing.” “Nothing? Nothing, really?” I can’t help but raise my voice, the heat of my anger igniting my words. “You had your tongue down her throat and your hands on her fat ass! How is that nothing?” “Hey, b***h! My ass is not fat!” the waitress screeches, her indignation further fueling my rage. I shrug, unfazed. Honestly, her feelings are the least of my concerns right now. She may not owe me any loyalty, but she knows James is taken and shows no hint of remorse. My heart is heavy with betrayal, and I refuse to feel charitable. It was supposed to be a night of celebration… James’s promotion party, the event I meticulously planned to honor his success. But the moment I realized he was missing, my heart plummeted. And this is where I found him, in an adjoining room, lost in the throes of passion with one of the waitresses. “Lena, darling, it was just a bit of fun,” James says, flashing what he probably believes is a charming smile. “Are you really going to ruin what we have over a bit of fun?” I scoff, disbelief coursing through me. “A bit of fun? Is cheating on me at the party I arranged for you your version of fun?” The bimbo beside him lets out a fake giggle, clearly enjoying the scene unfolding before her. I shoot her a withering look and return my focus to James, my heart pounding with indignation. “Can I go have fun too? I think I spotted a couple of handsome men…” I suggest, my tone dripping with sarcasm. He shakes his head dismissively. “Of course not; it’s different for women.” “James, I deserve so much better than this,” I say, my voice steady but fierce. “I deserve someone who respects me, who values me. Not someone who treats fidelity like a joke. And definately someone who doesn’t believe there are different rules for men and women.” James reaches for my hand, but I pull away, anger simmering just below the surface. “I’m done, James. I can’t do this anymore. You’ve shattered my trust for the last time.” “Without me, you are nothing! You have nothing!” His voice drips with venom. “You won’t even have a place to live.” “I will manage,” I reply, my resolve hardening. “No worries.” It won’t be easy; I know that. But if all else fails, I can always return home. Right now, my family seems like the lesser of two evils. As I turn to walk away, I pull out my phone and send a quick text: ‘Teddy, I need you,’ along with the address. I hope he isn’t too far away or too busy to help his sister. But James is relentless, following me as I try to leave, and to make matters worse, his mother suddenly appears, a snobbish woman I have never liked. “What is happening here?” she demands. “Lena thinks she is leaving me over a silly little thing,” he replies, half-rolling his eyes. “I’m not thinking anything! I am leaving you!” I huff, my voice rising. “And a little thing? You were making out with the waitress, while I was in the next room, celebrating you.” His mother glances between us, her expression shifting from concern to irritation. “See, I told you not to pick someone so far below you! She doesn’t understand what it takes to be married to a man like you, from a good family.” I almost laugh at the absurdity of her words. The truth is, his family is barely upper-middle-class, and when it comes to manners, they barely scrape by. “You should be happy to see me leave then,” I shoot back, defiance surging through me. “Believe me, I would be if you weren’t embarrassing my son and costing me money.” She huffs, her voice sharp. “The wedding is in less than a month away. People have been invited… we can’t cancel now. What are we going to tell them?” “Why not tell them your son is a cheating bastard?” I suggest, my voice dripping with venom. She looks as if she might slap me, her outrage palpable. “How dare you! You were a nobody, an intern with no family before my son gave you attention! Are you really going to miss out on all he offers?” “Well…” I pause, glancing at James as if considering her words. “Yeah, I’ve realized that it’s not really all that impressive anyway… none of it.” Before either of them can respond, a sleek red Ferrari pulls up, its horn honking once, a beacon of freedom. I smile at them, feeling a surge of exhilaration. “Sorry, my ride's here.” “Lena, wait!” James calls after me, but instead of begging or professing his love like I half expected, he just extends his hand. “The ring, it was rather expensive.” I look down at the diamond ring, that once felt like a promise, and without hesitation, I pull it off and press it into his palm. Then I turn on my heel and stride toward the car. “Hi, sis! Finally tired of that nobody?” My baby brother Edward Jr. grins, his presence a comforting balm. “Be good, Teddy,” I scold, though I can’t help but smile. “But yeah, I’m done with him… I can already hear the ‘I told you so’ coming.” He shakes his head as he starts the engine, “Nah, I wouldn’t… but this I would do.” As we drive off, he rolls down the window and flips off my ex-fiancé and his b***h mother, making me giggle. It’s such a Teddy thing to do. “Nice wheels,” I say, glancing at him. “New?” “Gramps gave it to me for my birthday,” he says, a hint of pride in his voice. “I think he thought I needed cheering up after Mom passed.” Our mother died eight months ago… a Brazilian butt lift gone wrong. “I guess you were her favorite,” I say softly. “I guess when it comes to her, it means I annoyed her the least,” he grins. “So you’re finally free and single. How about we…” “No, Teddy,” I cut him off, instinctively knowing what he’s about to say. “Can you just take me into the city or the nearest station?” Suddenly, he pulls to the side of the road, killing the engine, and turns to look at me, his gaze intense. “Lena, it was all Mom, you know? Gramps will welcome you home with open arms.” “I’m not so sure… Mom said…” My voice trails off, and my heart races at the thought. “Repeat that: ‘Mom said.’ It wasn’t the truth. Gramps misses you. He’s asked for you so many times,” he insists. “Let me guess, you have nowhere to go, right?” He’s right, of course. But I can manage. “I have friends that…” “Yeah… No. You are coming home,” he says firmly, restarting the car. I really hope he’s right. ***** “Welcome home, sis,” Teddy grins as he parks in front of the imposing mansion. “I really hope you’re right, or I’m out of here,” I mumble as I climb out of the car. With a deep breath, I follow him up the steps to the grand oak front door, the threshold I haven’t crossed in over two years. “Miss Rosencrantz, welcome home,” the butler greets, bowing slightly, a warm smile lighting up his face. “Thank you, Wadsworth,” I reply, feeling a flicker of nostalgia. “Happy to see you’re looking healthy and well.” His smile widens. “Thank you, my lady. It’s so kind of you to say.” “How is the old guy doing?” I ask, referring to my grandfather. “I hope I’m not overstepping any boundaries here, but he seems almost relieved now that your mother… is no longer here,” he says, catching himself mid-sentence, his expression apologetic. “So sorry for your loss, Miss.” I shake my head, a bittersweet smile forming. “Not much of a loss. No need to pretend otherwise. Happy to hear Gramps is doing well.” “If I might say, Miss Lena, I think he has missed you a lot. What happened… it was your mother’s doing,” he says, a stubborn glint in his eyes. “I hope you’re right,” I say softly, touching his arm gently before walking further into the house, following the path my brother disappeared down. As I traverse the spacious and sunlit sitting room, I step out onto the back balcony, where I hear male voices drifting through the air. “Hi, Gramps,” I say softly, my hands trembling slightly. My mind races with uncertainty. My mother had told me that my grandfather didn’t want to see me, but now Teddy is insisting it was a lie. What is the truth?