The next morning—the day our anniversary dinner was supposedly moved to—I didn’t prepare. I didn’t shower, didn’t dress up, didn’t even brush my hair. I just curled up on the couch in my pajamas, knees to my chest, staring at absolutely nothing.
Every time I blinked, I saw it again. Lewis and Victoria kissing like a happy couple.
My chest tightened until it hurt. A quiet sob escaped, then another, until I was crying so hard I couldn’t breathe. I pressed both hands over my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it didn’t stop. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to believe. I just knew my world had cracked open, and I was falling through it alone.
My phone buzzed.
Then again.
And again.
I didn’t move.
Lewis:
Nadine? Where are you?
Another message.
Lewis:
Love, please answer me.
Then another.
Lewis:
I’m getting worried. You’re not at the restaurant. What’s going on?
And then:
Lewis:
I prepared a surprise for you. Please don’t disappear on me like this.
A fresh sob tore out of me.
Surprise. Yes. I got my surprise yesterday.
I squeezed my eyes shut, letting the tears fall until my throat felt raw. I didn’t have the strength to respond. I didn’t want to hear another lie. I didn’t want him to twist the truth or play innocent.
So I stayed where I was—broken, silent, and pretending I didn’t see his calls.
Until later, when the door finally opened.
And Lewis walked in, face stormy with concern.
“Nadine! What happened?” he rushed over. “Why weren’t you at the restaurant? I said we’re supposed to have a date. Are you… are you mad because it got canceled on our anniversary yesterday? I’m making it up to you now—”
My hand moved before I thought.
SLAP.
His head snapped to the side.
“You’re a liar,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “A disgusting liar.”
Lewis’s eyes widened. “What? Me? A liar? What are you talking about?”
“Where were you yesterday?” I asked, tears finally burning behind my eyes.
“In the office!” he insisted. “Where else would I be? Why—?”
“Stop lying,” I choked out. “Where is the necklace you bought?”
He froze. Just for a second. But it was enough.
My heart clenched. “Lewis. I saw you. I saw you with Victoria.”
Confusion filled his face—too perfect. Too practiced.
Then his expression shifted.
A quiet exhale.
A dramatic sigh.
“Okay,” he murmured. “I’m sorry for lying.”
My chest tightened.
“But… Nadine… that wasn’t me.”
I blinked. “What?”