My Billionaire Fiancé’s Affair with my Best Friend

The call to prayer drifted across Istanbul, weaving through the evening air. I stood quietly on the balcony of my two-bedroom apartment, a mug of warm coffee in hand as I watched the Bosphorus shimmer under the fading light. From up here, everything looked calm and ordered. But calm, I had learned, could be sometimes deceiving. A sudden glint of light from inside my room pulled me from my thoughts. It was my phone, laying on the table in the corner, screen glowing faintly where I had left it charging. For a moment, I didn’t move. But then something—instinct, maybe—pushed me forward. I stepped inside, setting the mug down without taking my eyes off the screen. The room felt quieter now, like it was holding its breath with me. I picked up the phone. One new notification appeared on the screen. An email with the name, 22degrees.out@domain.com. Just a string of random letters and numbers that meant nothing—and somehow felt like it meant everything. My pulse slowed. There was no message. No explanation. Just a single attachment. I hesitated—only for a second—then tapped it open. The image loaded slowly. Too slowly. And then— I froze. Because staring back at me wasn’t just a photo. It was a moment. Intimate. Unmistakable. And impossible to deny. It was an image of a rooftop bar. Dim lights. The city glowing behind them. And there—Yesuf merrily laughing. He was relaxed in a way I hadn't seen in weeks. His hands wrapped around someone else’s as they kissed. I zoomed in the picture slowly, my heart pounding louder. It was not a stranger. Not a mistake. It was Aylin, My Best friend. The one who knew everything in my life. The one who held my hand through every doubt, fear…. every plan I had for the future. The world seemed to stop. I couldn't scream. I couldn't cry. I could feel my throat running dry. No words to utter. My hands trembling as I stared at the screen longer than necessary. Suddenly, another notification popped up on my phone. It was from Yesuf: “Can’t make it tonight. Really busy with work.” I ignored his text. There was no second thoughts or hesitation. I grabbed my coat along with my car keys and stormed out of my apartment. I couldn't imagine being the last person to know the truth about my own life. I needed answers to the burning questions unfolding before me. Seconds later, I pulled into the drive way of the bar, enclosed with vehicles and so many people hanging around. I looked over from the window and immediately sighted what I was hoping was never true. It was Yesuf’s red sedan a few miles away from where my car was packed. I walked into the bar, in absolute dejection. The place was louder than I had anticipated with music blaring in the background, along with echoed laughter and innumerable movements. I stood beyond their line of sight, my eyes began to scan the crowd of faces with a surprisingly calm precision. And then I sighted them in a corner. It was the exactly the same way as the picture. Not in a polite or casual manner but rather intimate. This time there were movements, subtle touches and shared glances and it all felt real as I stared in dismay at the people who once meant the world to me. Aylin leaned in, whispering something into his ear, making him laugh. Yesuf didn't look tired or distracted. He appeared alive than he had been for a while. It instantly struck me how comfortable they were expressing their love to each other. This wasn't new at all. It didn't feel wrong to them. It felt like it was theirs. This realization dismounted quietly……but deeply. I pulled out my phone from the pocket of my coat, looking back at the text he sent me earlier. I looked up at him from across the room then back at the screen. He didn't even flinch that I didn't reply to him since. Or worry at all. Why would he? He was here with the one who truly mattered to him—my best friend, Aylin. Tears rolling down my cheek. I didn't approach them. I didn't interrupt their moment. Instead, I quietly stepped back from where I hid before either of them could see me. It was getting pretty dark outside as I hastily walked out of the bar, hugging my coat like it was the only thing that gave me comfort. I hopped into the car with my hands gripping the steering wheel firmly. Suddenly I let out all my anger and pain with a loud scream. The entire drive home I went down memory lane. Aylin had been my best friend for five years—five years of shared secrets, late-night conversations, and memories stitched so tightly together. She was like a sister I wished I always had. The one who stood by me through heartbreaks, the loss of my mum and celebrated my victories like they were hers. Aylin had been the one who introduced me to her childhood friend, the wealthy and handsome business tycoon, Yesufu Arda at an art exhibition years back. He was charming and sophisticated with a million dollar smile that swept me off my feet. We fell in love and began dating almost immediately and I felt like the luckiest girl alive. If they wanted each other all along, why did they have to drag me into this mess? Why didn’t they just be together? She always told me that they were just friends and nothing more. I felt so betrayed by the one I loved the most, and the one who I took as a sister. I wonder who sent the photo to me What was their motive? Is this mysterious person linked to Yesuf or Aylin? I needed answers and I was determined to figure out what was going on. By the time I got home, I was overcome with fatigue but I found myself staring into the ceiling in my bedroom. I sobbed heavily, burying my face in my pillow which was now saturated in tears before slowly drifting into sleep. The next morning, I woke up to a sound of banging on my door coming from the living room. I jumped out of bed, still in my night dress. I took a few steps forward before peeking into the hole It was Yesuf. My heart pounding as I reached for the door knob, preparing to create a convincing performance. “Babe!” I shrieked, excitedly, pulling him into a tight hug. “I missed you.” “I'm sorry I couldn't make it here last night, my love,” He smiled, planting a kiss on my lips. “I just have lots to do at the office these days.” What a liar! I forced a smile, going along with his lie. “It's alright. I'm not offended at all, dear.” We walked into the living room and he immediately sat on a chair. “You didn't reply to my text or call the day before,” He uttered, pulling his shoes off. “Everything ok?” Oh! So now he cares! After hooking up with my best friend! “I slept in early. I've been really exhausted these past few days.” “How was work last night?” I asked, staring into his eyes to get a reaction. He paused for a second. “It was ok. No big deal,” He shrugged, avoiding my gaze. “Alright. Please try to get some rest while you can, love,?” I smiled walking towards the fridge. “Why don’t I heat some leftovers I prepared yesterday for you.” After a while, I walked up to him with a plate in hand. “Here you go.” He smiled so lovingly at me with a twinkle in his eyes that had me wondering why he’d hurt me like this. “Thank you, Leyla,” He said, taking a bite of the meal. “You’re amazing. This taste great.” “It was my pleasure.” His phone began to ring in his pocket, he pulled it slowly, staring at the screen for a while. “Do you need to pick that? Who’s that?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. Although I knew it could be Aylin. He looked away from the phone, smiling and placed it on the couch. “I’m afraid they need me at work, Dear. It was one of my guys,” He placed the food on the nearby table. “I have to go.” It was probably Aylin. How could he lie like this to my face like It was nothing? “Really?” I exclaimed, biting my lip. I just have to keep going on with this act to throw off any suspicion of me being aware of his infidelity. “We can't even spend time together.” He cleared his throat as he slowly stood up from the couch. “Leyla, I'm also sad too,” He placed his hands on my cheek. “I promise i’ll make it up to you, ok?” “Ok.” “That's why I love you,” He smiled, pleased as he kissed me on the forehead. “I need to use the restroom quickly.” He walked off and I stared at him. Once I was sure he had already walked into the bathroom and shut it, I immediately walked over to the couch where he placed his phone. I grabbed the phone, not really certain of what I would find. I only knew I needed to be quick. Thank goodness I knew his passcode after that time he fell ill and I had to call his doctor. Unless he could have changed it I tried it and he in fact didn't change it. My heart racing as I when through his call log. It wasn't any business. It was Aylin who had called him! Everything he'd been telling was a lie! I looked up, at the empty hallway, as if expecting him to walk in before averting my gaze back to the screen. I tried to search for the same name of the email who had attached their photo but I was met with no luck. Was this person linked to Yesufu or Aylin? Were they someone from their past? Did they know about their affair and were trying to reveal the truth to me? Who was this person? I was lost in thoughts with the phone still glued to my hands. I knew this wasn't just a betrayal but the beginning of something deeper and dark.