You're Next!!
690 Words
Noah stayed quiet for a few seconds.
Then he sat down and said .
“The night I left… my dad got arrested.”
I frowned. “What?”
“He owed money to dangerous people, Jasmine. A lot of money.”
I blinked slowly, trying to process everything.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you involved.”
“So instead you just disappeared?”
“I was trying to protect you.”
I shook my head.
“That’s not protection, Noah. You left me without an explanation.”
“I know.”
His voice sounded tired.
For the first time since I met him, he didn’t look confident.
He looked broken.
“I spent months trying to fix everything,” he continued. I barely slept. I was working nonstop trying to pay off my dad’s debt.
I crossed my arms tightly.
“You could’ve told me.”
“I wanted to. So many times.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
He looked at me quietly.
“Because I knew you would stay.”
He was right.
I would’ve stayed.
Even after everything.
I looked away from him before he could notice the tears in my eyes.
“You don’t get to walk back into my life like this.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you here?”
Noah hesitated.
Then he sighed.
“Because Ethan isn’t who you think he is.”
I laughed softly. “I figured that out already.”
“No, Jasmine. You don’t understand.”
His serious expression made my stomach twist.
“What are you talking about?”
Before Noah could answer, the door suddenly opened.
Sophie rushed inside looking stressed.
“There you are,” she said breathlessly.
“What happened?”
She looked nervous. “Ethan’s gone.”
“What?”
“He left the venue.”
I stood up immediately. “He left?”
Sophie nodded.
“And honestly… people are talking. The guests are confused, your parents are upset, and social media already has pictures from the wedding.”
I covered my face with my hands.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
“This is so embarrassing.”
Sophie walked over and hugged me tightly.
“It’s not your fault.”
I closed my eyes for a second, trying not to cry again.
Then Noah suddenly spoke.
“You shouldn’t stay here tonight.”
I looked at him. “What does that mean?”
“I think Ethan’s hiding something bigger than cheating.”
I stared at him.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Noah looked toward the door and said...
“A few days ago, I saw Ethan meeting someone.”
I frowned.
“So?”
“It wasn't a normal meeting, Jasmine.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
“What are you talking about?”
Noah hesitated.
“It was the woman he cheated with.”
My heart sank.
“I already know about her.”
“No.” Noah shook his head. “You don't.”
His expression turned serious.
“The woman wasn't his girlfriend.”
I stared at him.
“Then who was she?”
Before Noah could answer, his phone suddenly rang.
The moment he looked at the screen, his face turned pale.
“What is it?” I asked.
He didn't answer.
“Noah.”
Slowly, he held up the phone.
A photo was displayed on the screen.
My breath caught.
The picture showed Ethan standing beside a woman outside a hotel.
But it wasn't the woman from the photos I saw earlier.
It was someone else.
Someone I recognized.
Someone who was supposed to be hundreds of miles away.
My hands started shaking.
“That can't be possible,” I whispered.
“That's why I came back, Jasmine.”
The phone buzzed again.
This time a message appeared beneath the photo.
She knows the truth now.
A second message arrived immediately.
You're next.
The room fell silent.
Then there was a loud knock on the door.
Three slow knocks.
Someone was standing outside.
Waiting.
And suddenly, I wasn't sure if opening that door was a good idea.
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