Chapter Three
1155 Words
The Things We Don’t Say
The night was quiet when Lila stepped outside. The air was cool and sharp against her skin, the streetlights glowing faintly across the empty road. Her phone buzzed again.
I’m outside. Come alone.
It was Renee.
Lila’s heart pounded as she walked down the path. She saw Renee leaning against her car at the corner, her arms folded, her hair loose around her shoulders. Even in the dim light, Renee looked flawless, confident, untouchable.
“Hey,” Renee said softly when Lila approached. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No,” Lila replied. “I couldn’t sleep.”
Renee smiled, a tired, knowing smile. “Me neither. Thought maybe a drive would help.”
Lila hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She got into the passenger seat. The car smelled faintly of vanilla and coffee. Renee turned on the radio, low and soft, and pulled away from the curb.
They drove in silence for a while, the hum of the engine filling the space between them. Lila looked out the window, watching the dark trees rush by. “You said it was important,” she finally said. “What’s going on?”
Renee’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I didn’t mean to scare you,” she said carefully. “I just… I needed to see you. To talk without anyone else around.”
“About Ethan?” Lila asked.
Renee glanced at her, then looked back at the road. “I know things between you two haven’t been easy. I see it in your eyes, Lila. You look like you’re fading away.”
Lila swallowed hard. “I’m trying to hold things together.”
“I know,” Renee whispered. “But sometimes holding on hurts more than letting go.”
The words made Lila’s chest tighten. “Why are you saying this now?”
Renee parked the car quietly, where the city lights shimmered in the distance. She turned off the engine but left the music playing softly. Then she looked at Lila with eyes that seemed to carry both guilt and longing.
“Because I care about you,” she said. “More than I probably should.”
Lila froze. The world outside went still. “Renee… what are you saying?”
Renee took a breath, her voice trembling. “I can’t pretend anymore. I think about you all the time. And I hate seeing you in pain because of him.”
Lila’s heart raced. “This isn’t right,” she whispered. “You’re my best friend.”
“I know,” Renee said, tears glistening in her eyes. “But I can’t help it. When I’m around you, everything feels different. Real.”
Lila looked away, her mind spinning. Part of her wanted to get out of the car, to escape the strange, heavy silence. But another part of her stayed. Renee’s presence had always made her feel seen, alive. Now it made her confused.
“You shouldn’t have said that,” Lila whispered. “Not tonight.”
Renee leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Then tell me you don’t feel it too.”
Lila turned to her. Their faces were inches apart. She could see every emotion flicker in Renee’s eyes, fear, desire, sadness. For a long second, neither of them breathed. Then Lila looked away. “I can’t,” she said.
Renee sat back slowly, wiping at her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
They sat in silence again. The clock on the dashboard blinked past midnight. Lila finally spoke. “You said you needed to tell me something important. Was this it?”
Renee hesitated. “No. That’s not the only reason.”
Lila turned to her. “Then what is it?”
Renee’s expression changed. “It’s about Ethan.”
Lila’s chest tightened. “What about him?”
Renee looked down at her hands. “I’ve seen him with someone. Late at night. At the hotel near the river.”
Lila’s breath caught. “You’re lying.”
“I wish I was,” Renee said softly. “At first I thought it was just business. But it wasn’t. He wasn’t alone. He was… close to her.”
Lila stared at her, unable to speak. Her throat felt dry. “How do you know?”
“Because I followed him,” Renee admitted. “I wanted to be sure before telling you. I couldn’t keep it to myself anymore.”
Lila’s voice broke. “You followed my husband?”
“I did it for you,” Renee said. “You deserve to know the truth.”
Lila shook her head slowly. “You expect me to believe this after what you just said? After… everything?”
Renee looked hurt. “I wouldn’t lie to you, Lila. Not about this. Check his phone if you don’t believe me. You’ll see her messages.”
Lila opened her mouth but no words came out. She wanted to scream, to cry, to ask why Renee was doing this to her. Instead, she just stared out the window. The city lights blurred through her tears.
Renee reached over gently and placed her hand on Lila’s. “Please believe me. I’m not your enemy.”
Lila pulled her hand away. “I need to go home.”
“Lila”
“Please,” she said firmly. “Take me home.”
Renee started the car again, her face pale and quiet. The ride back felt endless. Neither of them spoke. When they reached Lila’s house, Renee parked by the gate.
“Lila, I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she said softly.
Lila opened the door, her voice barely steady. “You already did.”
She stepped out into the cold night. Renee watched her walk up the path, her silhouette fading into the dark.
Inside, the house felt heavier than ever. Ethan’s shoes were by the door. His jacket hung neatly on the chair. Everything looked normal, yet nothing felt the same.
Lila went upstairs, her heart pounding. Ethan was asleep, his phone glowing faintly beside him. She stared at it for a long time, remembering Renee’s words.
Finally, she picked it up.
The screen lit up. Dozens of messages. Some work, some random notifications. Then she saw it, one unread message from a name she didn’t recognize.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
Miss you already. Last night was perfect.
Lila’s knees weakened. She stared at the message until her vision blurred. Her stomach twisted, her breath shallow.
She looked down at Ethan, sleeping peacefully, unaware that his lies had just shattered the last piece of her trust.
As she turned to leave the room, Ethan’s phone buzzed again.
A new message appeared.
Can’t stop thinking about you, Ethan.
And this time, the name beneath it made her heart stop.
Renee.
- Writer
