First floor

Denial

Nowadays

For what felt like hours, I stood in front of his door. My lightweight, floral dress and my waist-length brown hair were soaked, dripping with water from the downpour I hadn't anticipated when I left just fifteen minutes ago. There hadn't been a hint of rain in the air.

I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of wet earth, then exhaled slowly. My hand rested on the doorbell, but I couldn't bring myself to press it. Thoughts raced through my mind, none persuasive enough to compel me to take the final step.

'Better late than never,' they say, but I was afraid. Afraid of his reaction, afraid of rejection. But most of all, I feared being ignored, left feeling foolish for even trying.

I had rehearsed my words countless times, both in my head and in front of the mirror. But now, standing just moments away from facing him, my stomach shrank to the size of a pea. If I could, I would turn around right now and never look back.

Finally, I pressed the doorbell — my heart pounded in my throat, and my ears buzzed and rang simultaneously. The waiting was excruciating.

Then the door opened, and I was stunned. A girl my age stood on the threshold, wearing his shirt. The shirt I had given him for his birthday.

Jealousy surged through me, a level of intensity I hadn't known I was capable of. My fear evaporated instantly, replaced by overwhelming anger and fury.

I had suspected something like this. He had been too 'busy' lately, taking late-night calls and texting in the early hours. Whenever I asked, it was always 'work.' That wouldn't have been an issue; he had always worked late since I knew him. But this felt different. I could see it in his eyes, every single time. The truth sparkled there, but I was too naïve to recognize the signs.

"Yes?" the blonde girl finally spoke, her voice grating like a scratched record. It took all my willpower not to lash out at her right there.

"Who are you?" I asked, keeping my tone relatively calm, even though every nerve in my body was taut.

"I'm one of Lucas's friends," she replied, puffing out her chest proudly, a huge grin on her face. I wanted to wipe that grin off, but I restrained myself. The last thing I needed was to spend the night at the police station. "And you are?"

Her condescending tone made the hairs on my neck stand up.

"I'm Lucas's fiancée," I replied, holding up my hand to display the sparkling diamond. Her eyes widened, her mouth forming a surprised 'O'.

Before either of us could say or do anything, my dear — now ex — fiancé appeared behind her.

"Who's at the door, babe?" he yawned, rubbing his eyes. When he saw me, he was speechless.

Rage coursed through my veins.

"Your ex-fiancée," I snapped, pulling off the ring and throwing it at him. I then turned to the 'babe' and said, "Lucas believes all the stereotypes about blondes. If you know what's good for you, you'll run while you can."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, ignoring Lucas's shouts and pleas behind me. All I wanted was to disappear and never hear from him again.

Given the clarity of the betrayal, I handled it quite calmly. I should have screamed and demanded answers, but I was exhausted.

I had come here to talk about last night, only to find a girl at his place—a girl who wasn't even his type. And I had been ready to apologize for my outburst. I hadn't slept all night, worrying about him, about us, while he was in bed with this 'babe.'

I had never felt so humiliated.

"Ashley!" He called after me, but I continued down the street. The late hour meant the streets were empty, which was a relief. There were no witnesses to this shameful scene.

"Ash, please stop!" I heard his hurried footsteps behind me, but I refused to stop. Tears streamed down my face, and I let them fall freely. I just wanted to be far away from him. For good.

"I'm sorry!"

I halted. I didn't want to, but I did. I turned to face him, only a few meters separating us.

"I messed up, I know. I'm sorry. Please, let's talk about this," he pleaded, but I was firm. There was nothing to discuss. He had cheated while I planned our wedding. Who knows how long it had been going on?

"Was there anyone else?" I sniffled.

"What? No, Teresa was the only one. I swear!"

I felt sick. A small part of me was relieved it was just her, but it didn't make the situation any better. It never would.

"Do you remember what I said? The day you proposed to me," I reminded him. He thought for a moment, then lowered his gaze. "I told you, if you ever cheated, it would be over. Ashley and Lucas would cease to exist."

"Ashley, I—"

"You destroyed me, Lucas," I backed away slowly. "Are you happy now? Ashley is no more."

As I spoke these words, a sudden screech of brakes echoed from a distance, as if everything happened in an instant. I heard Lucas's voice, calling for help, but before I could process it, my eyes grew heavy, and darkness enveloped me.