My girlfriend of three years confessed her love for my best friend at our engagement party.
Chapter 1
My girlfriend of three years, right there at the
engagement party, announces she wants to
marry my best bro.
I, being a stand–up guy, turn around and
marry this uptown girl, Serenity Hayes.
Five years we’re married, and it’s all rainbows
and unicorns, seemingly.
She’s all over me every night, whispering how
I’m the only guy for her.
I thought we were golden.
<
Until I see her at the hospital, pale as a ghost,
telling her housekeeper to lock it down –
keep me in the dark about her getting an IUD.
Her friend’s all worried, “Serenity, Chris is
gonna figure it out, and he’s gonna be more
than just pissed.”
She just shrugs, all nonchalant. “I only married
him to keep an eye on Ethan. Make sure he’s
happy.”
“As for giving him a kid? Not a chance.”
I didn’t go in there screaming. I just walked
away, feeling like a chump.
On our anniversary, I plan a swan dive off the
coast.
End of story. We’re done.
::
The message on my phone fades out, and I
take a deep breath.
They said in three days everything would be
set.
Three days, and I’m gone, vanished from
Serenity Hayes’s world.
I set a countdown on my phone.
Those red numbers ticking down feel like a
mocking laugh at my own dumbassery for the last five years.
Serenity walks in right then, catching me
く
staring at my phone.
She gives me that sweet smile, cuddles up, all
innocent. “Whatcha doing? So glued to your
phone.”
That perfume of hers hits my nose. Usually, I
love it. Now, it just twists my gut.
Five years married, and she’s been playing the
devoted wife. At least, that’s what she wanted
me to think.
Everyone in high society knows Serenity
Hayes, the princess, is head over heels for
me, bending over backwards.
She always says she fell for me the first time
she saw me getting jumped by some thugs at
school. She jumped right in front of me, like
く
Thirteen years, and it’s been all about me,
according to her.
At our wedding, eyes all teary, she swore
marrying me was her lifelong dream.
She knew about my past, knew how messed
up I was after getting burned by Jessica and
Ryan.
She used her family connections to make
Jessica’s life a living hell, and she went after
Ryan’s career.
She swore no one would ever hurt me again.
She’d always be my protector.
She played it so real. I actually started
believing I’d found a woman who really loved
me, who’d do anything for me.
“Nothing, just thinking.‘
She glances down at my phone. “Countdown
to three days? What’s that about?”
My stomach clenches, but I play it cool. “My
birthday.”
Her face freezes for a second, then she
recovers, sounding all apologetic. “Oh, crap,
Chris, I’ve been swamped. It totally slipped my
mind.”
“We’ll celebrate big, I promise. Where do you
wanna go? I’ll set it up.”
I just stare, wondering if that name, “Chris,” if
she’s really saying my name or another man’s.
I force a smile. “Let’s hit the beach. They’re
doing fireworks at Clearwater Bay that night.
Let’s stay over.”
She nods, like a happy kitten. “I’m feeling
kinda rough, but you have your piano
competition tomorrow, and I’ll be all alone.”
She’s pulled this before, a hundred times.
Gets all clingy, trying to keep me from doing
anything.
Anytime Ryan and I are in the same
competition, she pulls this crap.
I used to think she was just needy, wanted to
spend more time with me, so I spoiled her.
Even blew off career opportunities, settled for
being a small–time piano teacher.
<
And Ryan? He always cleaned up when I
wasn’t around.
Now I get it. It was all about clearing the path
for Ryan.
“Just take it easy. I’ll be back to keep you
company after the competition.”
“No, I’m on my period.”
“I just want you by my side.”
Remembering how she “got her period” every
time she had something to do with Ryan, I
feel sick.
She’s been talking about having a baby for
years, even set up a nursery.
く
But she never wanted to carry my baby, she
just secretly got the IUD.
Fighting back the disgust, I gently push her
away. “Come on, it’s important to me. I can’t
miss it.”
“I’ll make it up to you after, promise.”
She actually looks surprised, like I’ve never
said no before.
“Why do you have to go? Ryan’s gonna be
there. I don’t want you getting upset seeing
him.”
“Besides, no competition is more important
than me. Can’t you just stay home with me
for a few days?”
I stare at her, trying to see through the act.
Nothing.
