They Were Lovers Behind My Back

Isadora's POV: After three years of a long-distance relationship across countries, I had finally been looking forward to a vacation where I could meet my boyfriend. But all I got was: "I'm busy with work. We'll talk about it next time." After a huge fight with my boyfriend, FlightKeep notified me that he'd booked a flight home. I thought he was coming to make up with me, so I put on a new dress and did my makeup with extra care. But I waited at home until dark without a single message from Alaric. Then my best friend, Cosima, video-called me. On the screen, Alaric was sitting across from her, sharing a fondue dinner. "Oh, every time you two fight, Alaric comes running back to me. Can't you lovebirds stop using me to smooth things over?" I froze for a moment, remembering the fight we'd had when Alaric forgot my birthday. He'd booked a flight home, and I'd thought he was coming to comfort me. Instead, he'd taken Cosima to a newly opened amusement park. Another time, he'd lost the necklace I'd given him. I'd sulked and waited for him to make it up to me. All I got were pictures from his Christmas photoshoot with Cosima. In the 3 years we'd been living in different countries, I'd told Alaric countless times how to make things right with me. Instead, he kept using our fights as an excuse to fly home and see Cosima. He'd watch me get jealous, then wait until I gave in and apologized. Suddenly, I couldn't see the point of this relationship anymore. "Aren't I the one giving you two an excuse to see each other? Cosima, if you want Alaric, you can have him." "Isadora, what are you talking about?" Cosima looked startled. She'd been expecting a bitter remark, some sign that I was jealous. "I said, if you want Alaric, you can have him," I repeated, sniffing and smiling. For a moment, Cosima didn't seem to know what to do. Before she could say anything, Alaric reached across the table and snatched her phone. "What gives you the right to talk to Cosima like that? Isn't she your best friend?" His accusing tone made it sound as though I'd done something unforgivable. I laughed even as tears welled in my eyes. We argued for three days, and he gave me the cold shoulder for three days straight, without saying a single word. When he finally did, it was to defend Cosima. "I mean it, Alaric." Holding back my tears, I ended the call and went to the bathroom to take off my makeup. The living room coffee table was covered with dishes I made. They were all Alaric's favorites, the ones he was always complaining he couldn't get abroad. I'd had it all planned out. He'd swallow his pride and say something sweet, and I'd treat him with the dishes. Then we could put this fight behind us. Now, I just felt like a fool. I found a garbage bag and packed all the dishes on the table into it. I'd barely stepped outside with the bag when I ran straight into Alaric. It had been 6 months since we'd last seen each other. He'd come home three times in those 6 months. Not once had he come to see me. I ignored him and walked past. Alaric caught my arm. "Isadora, there's a limit to how much of this attitude I'll take." His expression was cold, but his grip was painfully tight. It felt as though he might crush my bones. "Let go." My voice was hoarse. "Isadora." His tone finally softened a little. "You know I was only trying to make you jealous." For 3 years, while we lived in different countries, he'd pulled the same stunt every time we fought. He knew how much every chance to see him meant to me. Yet he spent those visits with Cosima. Every time, I'd get so jealous that I'd swallow my pride and be the one to ask him to make up with me. This time, I couldn't bring myself to do it. "Think whatever you like." I gave a bitter laugh, went downstairs, and threw the bag of snacks into the trash. "Isadora!" I looked up. Cosima was standing in front of me. She came over and linked her arm through mine. "What's wrong? Are you still upset?" she asked with a bright smile. "You know what Alaric's like. Every time you fight, he uses me to make you jealous. He's driving me crazy!" I studied the woman I'd known since middle school. She'd been beside me throughout my teenage years and helped pull me out of depression. She was also the one who'd called the police on my abusive, cheating father and gotten him locked up. We'd even planned to share a room in a retirement home someday. But now, looking at her face, I felt as if I didn't know her at all. "He's driving you crazy? Is that really how you feel?" I quietly pulled my arm free. Cosima had complained more than once that she didn't want to be the third wheel in my relationship with Alaric. Yet she'd gone to the amusement park, posed for the photoshoot, and shared his fondue dinner. 'There's nothing stopping her from walking away or speaking up. Why won't she just say no? She must be enjoying this.' "Isadora... You've got it all wrong," Cosima tried to explain. "Alaric and I are just friends. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even want to know him. He's finally back for a visit. Let's all spend some time together." Alaric took her side too. "Isadora, if you're angry with me, fine. Don't take it out on Cosima." He stepped forward, putting himself between us. "You keep making these snide remarks. No matter how close you are, you're going to hurt her." Every word felt like a shard of glass driven into my chest. I stood frozen as he defended her, realizing for the first time how attentive Alaric could be. He noticed the slightest dip in Cosima's mood. But he could ignore me for 3 days without a second thought, leaving me alone to agonize over it. "All right, then." I wiped away my tears and said calmly, "From now on, I'm done with both of you."