mind. Every moment from earlier kept replaying, cutting deeper with each memory. The image of Diego kissing that woman, hearing their intimate

ing. What had she expected? That Diego, the man she hadn't seen in years, would

ror. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her face pale. She barely recognized herself. Lucia

art sinking when Diego's name flashed on the screen. For a moment, she hesitated. Could she h

d from you in a while," Diego's fa

see it. "I'm great," she lied, trying t

cern laced his words. "You sou

f his worry. "Just tired. I have an e

l sounded unsure. "I just wanted to ch

? The man she thought she knew, the man she was supposed to marry, was carrying other women to his bed, yet he

his tone softening. "I car

that threatened to spill. She couldn't hold i

our mind?" His tone shif

fe?" The question hung in the a

hy would you ask that?" he said slowly, his voice ti

pressed, her heart pounding. "You're a successful man

to worry about that. I wouldn't do that to you. You're the only one I want to spe

e so easily? She took a breath. "What about your new

r, are you? Emily's just an employee. I don't even ta

She wanted to scream, to confront him right then, but she held back. Not

promised. "I love y

sting of his betrayal. "I need to go study for my exam," she said abruptly, eage

ncern lingered in his tone. "But ke

whispered, bef

lled up once again-this time, not only of sadness, but anger. How could he lie so effortless

had switched to a video call, but she quickly

t behind. He sighed and went back to the bedroom, content with his rationalizations, com

the screen, Lucia wiped her face an

he other end. It was a tone that usually brought comfort, but

shaky from the emotional storm she had bare

friend's voice, didn't miss a beat. "What's

onto the bed, still shaken by the evening's events. "Yeah, it's him...

light but concerned. "Yeah, I rem

r right now, Ivy," she said, her voice breaking slightly. "I dropped them off at his

fted, the playful edge replaced by seriousness. "Wait, what? L

listening to them talk like it was nothing. He has no idea it was me driving him around. He's been lying to my face this whole time. And th

the full weight of Lucia's words. "Lucia... I

ury and heartbreak. "I don't know," she whispered.

le. "Damn, girl. That's

't know what to do. I wanted to confront him s

easy to confront someone you love, espe

l this time, I thought he was the one. I really beli

obably made the call somewhere in the house, so the other lady

the room, twisted the knife even further. He was playing both sides, and it made Lucia feel like a foo

er fingers tightening around the phone. "How can he lie to me so easily,

, Lucia. They think they can have everything without consequence. But

to find out soon enough that I'm not the

ion. She didn't know exactly what her next move would be, but

ul but pressing. "You've always wanted to know his dark

, but the pain of it was still raw. Her chest tightened as she thought about what this meant

de. "No more sitting around, wondering what he's hiding or if he'll ever be honest

r voice strong with support. "Good. You deserve

n my terms. He's so comfortable with his double life, he has no idea I've been watch

rdening. "This game he's p

lift Lucia out of her dark thoughts. "Well, you know what they say... men are like parking sp

tears threatening to spill

et's be real, Diego's not worth that pretty face of yours anyway. I mean, you

ening just a little. "Yeah, w

But don't let it break you. You're stronger than this. And hey, yo

t of her tears. "Thanks, Ivy. You al

f Diego tries anything else, you call me. I'll fly down there and we'll

best friend going on a tire-slashing rampag

. I've got your back,

mth of Ivy's support seep into her. "

lighter now, filled with her usual energy. "Now go get some rest,

t nodded. "Alri

, if you need me, I'm just a call away. I'll even br

eed with a small smile. "Thank

her voice full of affe

cia whispered befo

s had a way of reminding her that she wasn't alone. Even in her darkest moments, she had someone in her c