The post that burned
1394 Words
Thalia Morgan was lying on her couch, one leg folded under her, phone glowing in her hand. The apartment was quiet except for the low hum of the ceiling fan. She had just finished scrolling mindlessly when a familiar picture stopped her thumb mid air.
Adira.
Xavier.
A ring.
Candles. Flowers. Smiles so bright they almost hurt to look at.
“She said yes ”
The caption stared back at her.
Thalia blinked once. Then twice.
She sat up slowly.
“No,” she whispered. “No way.”
Her heart thudded hard against her chest. She refreshed the page. The post was still there. Likes were climbing fast. Comments poured in heart emojis, congratulations, people screaming couple goals.
Her lips curled into something that was not a smile.
Engaged?
Just like that?
She dropped the phone beside her and stared into space. Her mind felt blank, yet too loud at the same time. She didn’t feel happy. Not even a little. There was no excitement, no joy, no warm feeling in her chest.
Only disbelief.
And something bitter.
She picked up her phone again and clicked Adira’s number before she could stop herself.
It rang twice.
“Thalia!” Adira’s cheerful voice filled the line. “Have you seen it?”
So it was real.
“You’re engaged?” Thalia asked flatly.
“Yes!” Adira laughed. “Oh my God, I still can’t believe it myself.”
Thalia swallowed. “Are you… are you sure?”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“What do you mean?” Adira asked.
“I mean,” Thalia said carefully, “are you really sure you know what you’re doing?”
Adira chuckled softly. “Thalia”
“No, listen,” Thalia cut in, her tone sharpening despite herself. “This is the same man that won’t let you go out freely. The same man that always wants to know where you are. The same man that doesn’t like you hanging out with your friends.”
Adira frowned slightly, even though Thalia couldn’t see it.
“Thalia, calm down.”
“I’m calm,” Thalia said quickly. “I’m just being honest. You know I don’t pretend. Is this really the man you want to marry?”
Adira sighed. She leaned against her kitchen counter, her fingers brushing the ring on her finger unconsciously.
“I know you don’t really like Xavier,” she said gently. “You never have.”
“That’s not the point.”
“It is,” Adira replied softly. “But listen to me. I know what I’m doing. Xavier is the best man for me. He loves me. He supports me. He shows up for me.”
Thalia clenched her jaw.
“Can you just be happy for me?” Adira asked quietly. “Please.”
Silence hung between them.
Thalia stared at the engagement photo again. At the way Xavier’s arm circled Adira’s waist. At the way Adira leaned into him so easily. So confidently.
She forced a laugh.
“You know what,” she said, her voice suddenly lighter, rehearsed. “As long as it makes you happy, I’m happy for you, girl.”
Adira smiled.
“Thank you,” she said warmly. “That means a lot.”
“Muah,” Thalia added, smacking her lips into the phone. “Congratulations.”
“Muah,” Adira replied. “We’ve got an engagement party to plan, girl, so buckle up.”
Thalia laughed. “Always working,” she said.
They ended the call.
The moment the line went dead, Thalia’s smile vanished.
She dropped the phone slowly onto her lap.
Happy?
She didn’t feel happy.
She stood up and walked to the mirror hanging on the wall. She stared at her reflection her eyes, her lips, her face that men always noticed.
“What does she have that I don’t?” she whispered to herself.
Her phone buzzed again. More notifications. More congratulations. More reminders that Adira Blake had just stepped into a future that didn’t include her in the way it used to.
Thalia turned away from the mirror and walked to the window. Outside, the city moved on as usual. Cars passed. People laughed. Life continued.
Inside her chest, something dark quietly took root.
If Adira thought this was the beginning of forever…
Thalia knew one thing for sure.
Nothing this perfect ever stayed that way.
The engagement party was everything Adira had dreamed of.
The hall glowed with soft golden lights. White flowers lined the walls, mixed with blush pink roses and flowing silk curtains. Soft music filled the air. Laughter echoed from every corner. Family members hugged each other. Friends raised their glasses. The room was full of love, warmth, and celebration.
Adira stood beside Xavier, her hand resting proudly in his. She wore a soft smile that never left her face. Tonight felt unreal.
When it was time for speeches, the room slowly quieted.
Xavier stepped forward, holding a glass. He looked at Adira, his eyes warm and steady.
“Adira Blake,” he began, his voice calm but full of emotion, “you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are strong, kind, hardworking, and beautiful inside and out. You believe in love, and you make everything around you better. I promise to protect you, support you, and choose you every single day.”
The room erupted in applause.
Adira’s eyes filled with tears. She laughed softly, wiping them away. She leaned into him, and he kissed her forehead gently.
Across the room, Thalia clapped too.
But her smile did not reach her eyes.
Her chest felt tight. Her hands were cold. Every word Xavier spoke felt like a lie pressing against her skin. She raised her glass and took a long drink, trying to drown the feeling twisting inside her.
After the speech, the party loosened again. Music grew louder. Drinks flowed freely. Adira and Xavier moved through the hall, greeting guests, laughing, posing for pictures.
Vivian Kane suddenly appeared near the staircase, her brows furrowed.
“Roman?” she called out. “Roman, where are you?”
She searched the room, irritation growing with each step.
She walked up to Xavier. “Have you seen your brother?”
Xavier shook his head. “Not really.”
Adira noticed the tension immediately.
“I’ll check upstairs,” she said quickly. “Before she causes a scene.”
She climbed the stairs quietly, heels soft against the carpet. The music faded as she reached the upper hallway.
Then she saw him.
Roman Kane stood near the balcony doors with a beautiful young woman. He leaned close, smiling too smoothly, speaking in a low voice. The woman laughed, clearly enjoying the attention.
Adira’s stomach turned.
She cleared her throat softly.
“Pst. Roman.”
He turned, startled.
“Your wife is looking for you downstairs,” she said firmly.
His eyes widened. “What? Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Without another word, Roman straightened his jacket and rushed past her.
As he walked away, he paused briefly and leaned close.
“Welcome to the family,” he muttered with a grin. “And thanks for saving me.”
Then he disappeared down the stairs.
Adira stood there for a moment, shaking her head. What a mess, she thought.
She turned and headed back downstairs, ready to return to Xavier.
But when she reached the spot where she had last left him, he wasn’t there.
Her brows creased.
She looked around. No Xavier.
Before she could search further, one of her friends rushed toward her, excitement written all over her face.
“Hey girl! Congratulations!” the friend squealed, pulling Adira into a hug.
“Thank you,” Adira laughed, distracted but smiling.
They chatted briefly. More guests came forward. More congratulations. More hugs.
Minutes passed.
Meanwhile, far from the glow of the hall…
A bathroom door shut quietly.
The music outside faded into a dull echo as hurried breaths filled the small space. Fingers clenched. Fabric slipped. A sharp gasp cut through the silence.
“harder baby…” a woman whispered, already breathless.
The door shook slightly as bodies pressed together, “aahh easy easy” she said
Then a moan loud, careless.
Thalia’s moan filled the bathroom as Xavier drove into her
- Writer
