Chapter One
I still remember how excited I was that night.
My heart was beating so fast I could barely breathe as I stood outside Daniel’s apartment. In my hand was a small, white-ribboned box, the watch he’d been eyeing for months.
A "future husband" gift.
In exactly two weeks, we were supposed to say "I do."
I smiled to myself, adjusting the strap of my bag. The hallway smelled faintly of fresh paint and someone’s dinner; the lingering scent of garlic hung in the air.
I knocked softly. No answer.
"Daniel?" I called out.
Still nothing. He’d told me he would be home tonight. Maybe he was in the shower?
I reached into my bag and pulled out the spare key he’d given me months ago. “For when you move in after the honeymoon,” he’d said then, kissing my forehead. My chest warmed at the memory.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside.
"Daniel? I’m here!"
The apartment was dim. Only a single light in the living room cast a low, golden glow. His jacket was tossed over the couch, and his shoes were kicked messily near the door.
He was home.
I kicked off my heels and walked further in, a nervous, happy flutter in my stomach. "I brought you a surprise…"
A sound came from the bedroom. A soft, breathless laugh.
Then, a low male voice. Daniel’s voice.
My heart skipped a beat, but not the good kind. Another sound followed, a woman’s voice. A soft, unmistakable moan.
My body went completely cold.
No. It’s the TV. It has to be the TV.
But then another laugh echoed, and this time, my stomach dropped through the floor. I recognized that voice.
"Sophie?" I whispered.
The sound of the bed creaking reached my ears, sharp and rhythmic. Every step toward that bedroom door felt like walking through wet cement. My hand trembled so hard I could barely grip the handle.
I pushed the door open. And my world shattered.
Daniel was in the bed. He wasn’t alone.
Sophie was underneath him, her long blonde hair fanned across the pillow. His hands were on her waist. Her nails were digging into his shoulders.
They were both naked.
For a second, the world stopped spinning. Daniel froze. Sophie’s eyes went wide.
The small white gift box slipped from my fingers. It hit the floor with a hollow thud that felt louder than a gunshot.
Daniel scrambled back, grabbing a handful of the duvet to cover himself.
"Lena"
My ears started ringing. My vision blurred as if I were underwater.
"Lena, this isn't what it looks like…"
"Don’t," I said. My voice sounded flat.
Sophie pulled the blanket around her shoulders, but she didn’t look ashamed. She looked smug. "Lena... you weren't supposed to be here tonight."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"You knew?" I whispered, looking at the girl who was supposed to be my maid of honor.
Daniel ran a hand through his hair, looking more annoyed than guilty. "Look... since you’re here, we might as well just deal with this."
"Deal with what?" I asked quietly.
"Us." He glanced at Sophie, then back at me. "I don’t want to marry you anymore."
"What?" I breathed.
Daniel looked relieved, like he’d finally offloaded a heavy burden. "I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you for weeks."
Sophie leaned back against the headboard. "You have to admit, Lena... Daniel and I just make more sense."
This was the girl who helped me pick out my wedding dress. The girl who held my hair back when I was sick. She had been sleeping with my fiancé for months.
"How long?" I asked.
Daniel sighed. "A few months."
The room spun. "A few months?"
"That’s not the point," he said impatiently. "The point is, we were never right together. You’re kind, Lena. But you’re... safe and predictable."
Sophie let out a small, cruel laugh. "Daniel needs excitement and… passion."
My nails dug into my palms. I looked at her. "You were my best friend."
She shrugged. "Not anymore."
Daniel reached for his shirt on the floor. "I’ll handle the wedding cancellation. I’ll even pay the deposits. You can move your stuff out by the end of the week."
"You’re kicking me out?"
"Well... Sophie is moving in."
Something inside me finally snapped. I didn't scream or cry. I just laughed, a broken laugh.
I looked at them one last time. The man I loved and the woman I trusted.
Then I turned and walked out. I didn't stop until I hit the cold night air and the first sob finally broke through.
