“Miss, the guests who reserved the next table have arrived. Would you like to…eat?”
I forced a smile.
“No. Please throw it away for me.”
I would never wait for someone who wouldn’t come.
Loyalty that had to be begged was never mine to begin with.
I stumbled out, the pounding bass from the bar rattling my bones, each beat stabbing into my abdomen. Still, I pushed forward. I had to see.
To see what filth lay beneath the skin of the man I had loved for five years.
Because sometimes, only betrayal witnessed with your own eyes can finally kill a love.
Through the glass of the private room, I saw her.
Althea lounged half-naked, only a lace bra sliding down her shoulders. Evander’s brother whistled.
“Didn’t know you were hiding such talent!”
Althea shot back, smirking.
“Go to hell. Don’t eat grass near your own burrow. You looking for death? I’ll have my boy beat you bloody.”
Laughter erupted.
“Yes, yes, that grass belongs to Evander. I wouldn’t dare. Last time someone teased you, Evander nearly broke their legs!”
My chest constricted. I remembered the night Evander claimed he’d defended a stranger at the police station. The “stranger” had been her all along.
Cold drenched me from head to toe, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me.
Inside, the game continued, more vulgar with every round.
“Evander lost again! Kiss! Kiss! Last time was only five minutes, not enough. Double this time!”
“Kissing? Too tame. These two have already slept together. Let’s up the stakes!”
“Have Evander take Althea’s bra off—with his mouth!”
Althea flushed and flung a pillow.
“Bastards! If you want to see, just say it!”
Evander chuckled, eyes gleaming.
“My baby’s shy? Come on, let mama take a picture for your wedding keepsake.”
“Shy? You’re the one who’ll beg for mercy.”
The crowd roared. Amid their jeers, Althea lay back on the sofa. Evander leaned in, lips brushing hers.
The room quieted.
With a snap, one button popped.
Althea panicked, scrambling to cover herself. Evander threw his coat over her, but not before I noticed someone raising a phone, grinning.
Evander’s face twisted.
“You took a picture? Delete it.”
The man laughed.
“Come on, Evander, just a joke. Don’t you trust me?”
“I said delete it!”
“Hahaha, no way. Althea, you’re finished—”
The laughter cut short.
By the time anyone reacted, the man lay bleeding on the floor.
“Evander!”
Althea clutched his arm, pressing against his chest.