Stella’s words stung deep in my chest, but I kept the fake smile plastered on my face. Her happiness, her love for Nicolas, was so genuine, so pure—and it tore me apart inside. I couldn’t let her see the pain that was swirling inside me, the guilt that was gnawing at my soul. She was my best friend, and I was betraying her in the worst possible way.
I watched her face light up as she continued to talk about Nicolas, unaware of the dark secret I carried. “He’s been so amazing lately. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have him in my life,” she gushed. Her eyes sparkled, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. How could she not see what was going on?
I felt a surge of nausea rise in my throat, the weight of the lies pressing down on me. It wasn’t just the affair. It was the baby growing insi
