The silence between us

Chapter 1 : The broken trust The interview went better than Lyra expected. She felt so confident as she walked out of the tall glass building, her folder held tightly to her chest. Her heart was still racing, but this time it was from hope, not fear. She replayed the interviewer's words again and again in her head. You answered well. We'll get back to you soon. The results were not out yet, but she was so hopeful that she would get the job. For the first time in weeks, she felt like her life was moving forward. Lyra smiled to herself as she stepped onto the busy street. Cars passed by, the street was filled with people, the city felt alive, and for a moment, so did she. Stephen would be happy for her. She thought to herself, he was always the first person she wanted to tell good news to. He had been distant lately, but she believed it was stress from work. She believed that relationships went through phases and this was one of them. She checked the time on her phone. It was mid-evening already. Without thinking too much, she went to her apartment, took a hot shower and prepared to go see him. She decided not to inform him that she was coming. It was going to be a surprise visit. She imagined his smile when he opened the door. Maybe she would tell him about the interview, and he would pull her into a hug and say how proud he was, that picture warmed her chest. By the time she reached his apartment building, the sun was already setting . Lyra climbed the stairs slowly, trying all she could for her footsteps not to be heard. Besides, it was a surprise visit. She fixed her hair, wiped her palms on her coat, and took a deep breath. She stood in front of his door. Before she could knock, she heard voices and stopped. It was Stephen's voice and another one, a woman's laugh. Lyra frowned. Stephen never mentioned having visitors. The laugh sounded too familiar. Her heart skipped once, then began to beat faster. She leaned closer without realizing it. "I was scared you'd get caught,"the woman said. Stephen laughed quietly. "Relax. Lyra won't just show up like this." Lyra felt cold. Her fingers trembled around the handle. Another second passed. Then another. "You shouldn't say her name like that," the woman replied. "It makes me feel guilty." Stephen scoffed. "Why? Come on, it's not like she's as good as you are." Lyra couldn't take it anymore, she pushed the door open. The sound was small, but loud enough. Stephen turned first. His face went pale. The woman turned next. Mia was Lyra's best friend from childhood. They were standing too close. Stephen's hand rested on Mia's waist. Mia's fingers were curled into his shirt like they belonged there. The air between them was thick with something that needed no explanation. Time froze.. Lyra couldn't breathe. Her chest felt tight, like something heavy was sitting on it. Her mind went blank, then flooded all at once with memories, laughing nights, shared secrets, promises whispered in trust. None of it felt real anymore. "Lyra…" Stephen gasped. Her name sounded wrong in his mouth. She took one slow step forward. Her legs felt weak, but she forced them to move. " So this is why you've been busy,"she said quietly. Her voice was shaky. Mia's eyes filled with tears. "Lyra, please." Lyra lifted her hand. "Don't." The room was silent again. Heavy and painful."I came to share the news with you, but I guess there's no point ,none of these were real," Lyra continued. Stephen said nothing; Mia looked away. She looked at both of them, the man she loved and the friend she trusted more than anyone else. "How long?"she asked, trying hard not to let the tears in her eyes drop. Stephen swallowed. "It's not…" "How long? Lyra repeated. "A few months." Mia confessed. That was all it took. Something inside Lyra broke, she felt a sharp pain strike her heart. She felt tears rise, but she pushed them back. She will not beg either will she fall apart, at least not here. "You both lied to me," she said softly. "Every smile, every message and every time you looked me in the eye." Mia stepped forward, she was tired of pretending she was hurt." Oh, please, Lyra, spare me that, if you were a good girlfriend to Stephen, he wouldn't come for me. I guess it's time you focused on yourself and let me and Stephen be". She snapped. Lyra was shocked, she couldn't believe that Mia could treat her like that, she had sacrificed a lot for Mia. She couldn't hold her tears anymore. She stepped back. Her hands shook as she reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. She unlocked it, opened her contacts, and blocked Stephen's number, then Mia's. Both of them watched in silence. "This ends here," Lyra said. " I'm done with both of you. I wish you both last forever." She turned and walked out. The door closed behind her with a soft sound that felt louder than anything else. The hallway was empty. Quiet. Her steps echoed as she walked away from the life she thought she had. When she reached the stairs, her strength finally gave out. She sat down slowly, her bag slipping from her shoulder. The interview, the future she was hoping for, the love she trusted. Everything felt uncertain now. As tears finally fell, one thought echoed in her mind, heavy and frightening. If the people she trusted most could betray her this easily… What else in her life was built on lies?