Chapter 2

The sun glittered on the water as our boat sliced through the lake, creating a wake that sparkled like diamonds. Today was supposed to be our last hurrah before the wedding—a casual outing with friends and family to celebrate our upcoming union. But my mind kept drifting back to those text messages, to Daniel and Laila on that rooftop.

"Eden, are you even listening?" Sarah waved her hand in front of my face. "You've been spaced out all morning."

"Just wedding nerves," I lied, forcing a smile.

Across the boat, Daniel stood with his arm casually draped around his father's shoulders, laughing at something Marcus said. Laila sat nearby, her sundress billowing gently in the breeze. She caught my eye and quickly looked away.

Something felt wrong. The air was too still, the water too calm.

"I need to get some fresh air," Laila announced suddenly, moving toward the boat's edge.

"Be careful," I called out instinctively.

But it was too late. As she leaned against the railing, her foot caught on something—a rope, maybe—and she pitched forward with a startled cry.

"Laila!" I rushed toward her, reaching out as she splashed into the water.

The boat rocked violently from her fall, throwing me off balance. I stumbled, my ankle twisting painfully as I grabbed for the railing. Instead of steadying myself, I found myself tumbling overboard as well.

The cold water shocked my system as I plunged beneath the surface. When I emerged, gasping and sputtering, I heard panicked voices above.

"Someone help!" I cried out, struggling to stay afloat in my heavy clothes.

Through the blur of water and sunlight, I saw Daniel dive cleanly into the water—straight toward Laila. His powerful strokes carried him to her side as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her toward the boat.

"Daniel!" I called out, my voice breaking. "Help!"

He didn't even look in my direction.

Other guests rushed to the side of the boat, extending hands to pull me aboard. I clutched at their fingers, my engagement ring catching the light as I was hauled upward.

"Are you okay?" Sarah asked, wrapping a towel around my shoulders.

I nodded numbly, watching as Daniel climbed aboard with Laila in his arms. He laid her gently on the deck, checking her for injuries with tender concern.

Not once did he look to see if I was safe.

---

The rooftop terrace was silent except for the distant hum of traffic below. I stood in the same spot where I'd witnessed their embrace two nights before, waiting.

They arrived together, as I knew they would.

"Eden?" Daniel's voice held confusion tinged with alarm. "What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for the truth," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

Laila stepped forward, her face pale in the moonlight. "Eden, I can explain—"

"Can you?" I turned to face them both. "Can you explain how long you've been sleeping with my fiancé?"

The silence stretched between us like a chasm.

"Three years," I continued when neither spoke. "That's what I saw on your phone. Three years of lies."

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I once found endearing. Now it just seemed calculated.

"It's not what you think," he began.

"It's exactly what I think," I cut him off. "I saw you together here. I read your messages. And today..." My voice caught. "Today when we fell in the water, you didn't even look to see if I was okay."

Laila's eyes filled with tears. "Eden, please—"

"No." I held up my hand. "I want the truth. All of it."

Daniel sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Yes, we've been together for three years."

"Three years," I repeated, the words bitter on my tongue.

"There's more," he continued, unable to meet my eyes. "Laila was pregnant once."

The world tilted beneath my feet. "Pregnant?"

"It was early in our relationship," he explained, his voice hollow. "We lost the baby."

Laila's hand moved protectively to her stomach, a gesture that spoke volumes.

"You were going to tell me after the wedding," I realized aloud. "That's what your messages meant."

Daniel nodded slowly. "We thought... we thought it would be easier that way."

"Easier?" I laughed, the sound harsh and foreign to my ears. "You thought it would be easier to marry me while being in love with her?"

"We were going to be together afterward," Laila said softly. "After your marriage. We were waiting for the right time."

I stared at them both, these people I'd trusted with my heart. "There is no right time to destroy someone's life."

As the truth settled around me like ash, I realized that everything—every kiss, every promise, every dream of our future—had been built on lies.