Deception and Love: I Won't Be Sad to LeaveChapter 1 Midnight Message
Deep into the night, the man beside me breathed deeply and evenly, sound asleep.
Yet, I tossed and turned, unable to find rest.
Just moments ago, Arthur Ford's phone suddenly lit up, revealing a message from Lyla Jennings on the screen.
Before this, out of trust for my partner, I had never looked through Arthur's phone, but this time, as if possessed, I opened the message.
A provocative image confronted me, shaking my core beliefs—Lyla, in a skimpy lace camisole, shyly nestled in Arthur's arms.
[I miss you already, even though you just left.]
My heart plummeted to the depths of disbelief as I stared at the man sleeping beside me.
Lyla was Arthur's secretary, having joined his company six months ago.
She always spoke in a gentle, endearing manner and was very likable, and Arthur had never given her more than a glance, maintaining a professional distance with subordinates.
Unbeknownst to me, behind the scenes, they had gotten together.
Turning over, I dimmed the phone to its lowest brightness and swiftly scrolled through their conversation history.
The more I read, the more shocked and chilled I became, covering my mouth to stifle any sobs.
Each unabashedly intimate message felt like a slap across my face, burning with betrayal.
Now I finally knew where Arthur was working late on all those nights.
Upscale restaurants, hotels, even Lyla's small but cozy apartment...
They discussed where to meet without any reservations, all while I was in the dark.
In the photos, they were tightly nestled together, as if they were the closest people in the world.
Perhaps he was sure I wouldn't go through his phone, so the chat history of the past six months was laid out before me in its entirety.
Lyla's approach gradually shifted from tentative to provocative, and Arthur, who had initially been hesitant, began to respond. It was hard to believe that this was the same self-disciplined Arthur I knew.
A wave of nausea surged in my stomach.
The images on the screen were so piercing I had to squint, relentlessly scrolling until I stopped at the very first photo Lyla sent.
It was from two months ago, a shot taken from above at 11 PM, showing her flushed from drinking, revealing her pale skin and delicate collarbones.
[Do I look good?] She had asked.