~~Elena~~
After a whole long hour of driving through the heavy traffic, I finally pull into Ethan's apartment parking lot. My chest is still tight from earlier, but I can't stop the small thrill bubbling inside me. I've been planning this little surprise for him all day.
I get into the elevator, press the button for the fifth floor, and wait as it hums upward. The doors ding open, and I step into the familiar hallway. My keys are ready in my hand as I approach the last door at the end.
I slide the key into the lock, twist it, and push the door open.
The apartment is almost quiet. I slip off my shoes, but then my eyes catch something that stops me cold. Another pair of female shoes. They're not mine.
My heart races. My mind starts spinning. Is he cheating on me?
I move across the living room, my eyes scanning for more clues. His car keys are tossed carelessly on the table. My hand shakes as I approach the bedroom door.
I grip the doorknob, twisting it slowly. The door creaks open, and my worst fears are confirmed.
Ethan. My Ethan. Is on top of another girl.
They're so lost in each other, so oblivious to the world, that it takes a moment for reality to catch up to me.
I can't bring myself to look away as they indulge in their own pleasures. The girl moans while he continues to kiss her, both stark naked as he slams into her.
It feels like I'm in a trance, my mind refusing to accept what I'm seeing. Reality slowly creeps in, and a tear slips from the corner of my eye. I wipe it away, but the sting in my chest doesn't fade.
My hand finds a flower vase next to the door. Without thinking, I lift it and slam it against the floor. The crash shatters the quiet, and suddenly they're both frozen.
Ethan jerks upright, his eyes wide, mouth opening, as if trying to find the words. The girl scrambles, panic washing over her face. For a moment, everything hangs in suspended chaos — heavy breaths, sharp intake of air, the tension thick enough to choke me.
I feel my own body trembling, legs weak, my heart hammering so loud it drowns out everything else. I want to scream, to cry, to punch something, but all I can do is stare, caught between fury and disbelief.
Ethan's gaze finally lands on me. His face pales. He opens his mouth, hesitates, then stumbles over his words, "Elena… I…"
But I can't hear him. I can't even process him. My world has shrunk to one simple truth: the person I trusted completely, the person I loved… betrayed me.
Having too many emotions crashing over me, not knowing whether to scream, cry, or run, I take two steps backward as he tries to approach me, still naked. Tears blur my vision, and suddenly he disgusts me.
I take more steps back, gripping my keys like a lifeline, and finally turn toward the exit. Each step feels heavier than the last. His words chase after me.
"Elena… Elena." They're rushed, desperate, but I do my best to block them out.
This is the man I was planning to marry. Someone I was willing to spend the rest of my life with. The thought makes my stomach twist even more.
His hand shoots out and closes around my wrist, but I yank it away, spinning to face him.
"What! What do you have to say for yourself, fucking around while we're still together?" My voice rises, cracking slightly. I swipe at my tears, hating myself for letting them fall.
He runs a hand through his blonde curls, sighing as if this were the most natural thing in the world, still completely unashamed and stark naked.
"This wouldn't have happened if we actually had sex, Elena. How did you expect me to survive? I'm a man with needs."
I freeze. My mouth opens, but no words come. That's it? That's his explanation? That he "has needs" and couldn't control himself?
All the promises, all the plans… gone. Shattered.
"Then go back into that room and satisfy them."
I don't wait for any other explanation. I slip my shoes back on with trembling hands. He's still murmuring behind me, saying this shouldn't have happened, that it was his first time, that it didn't mean anything.
But I block him out.
I open the door and walk down the hallway without looking back.
Tears won't stop slipping from my eyes, and I can't bring myself to look at my reflection in the elevator doors.
I never knew heartbreak could feel this physical. Like something inside my chest is being squeezed and twisted.
We were getting married in four weeks.
Four weeks.
And I would never have known if I hadn't shown up unannounced.
When I reach the basement parking lot, I hurry to my car, slip inside, and rest my forehead against the steering wheel.
I stay like that for a long minute, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. Trying to look at the brighter side.
At least I didn't find out too late. When I had already married him and maybe gave birth to his kids.
Another sob escapes me as I run my hand through my hair.
"Fuck him… fuck him," I whisper to myself.
My phone vibrates in my hand. It is Kat.
She sent the pictures a minute ago. I open them. She's standing in front of the mirror in a beautiful pink dress — the theme color I chose for my bridesmaids. The dress hugs her perfectly. She looks radiant.
"Gorgeous, right?" is the caption on the last image.
It is breathtaking.
But she won't be wearing it at my wedding.
My fingers shake as I type.
The wedding is not going to happen. He's been cheating on me, Kat.
Her reply comes almost instantly.
What?! Baby, are you okay?
More tears blur my vision, but I respond anyway.
Yeah.
It's a lie. I'm not okay at all because this ache is eating me up.
I'm so sorry that I can't be with you right now but I'll be there first thing tomorrow.
I don't argue. I can't pretend to be strong. I need her.
I place the phone down, wipe the last of my tears, and start the engine.
As I drive off, a thought echoes in my mind —
That murderer guy was right.