Chapter 2

There were so many filthy photos and messages that, right then and there, I was too stunned to even feel angry or think straight.

Maybe, just maybe, someone borrowed Kyler's phone, logged into his WhatsApp on Kyler's phone, and forgot to log out.

But at the same time, all these little details I'd never paid attention to before started flooding into my mind.

Last Saturday night, Kyler suddenly said he had to go out for a last-minute business dinner. When I woke up, he was already waiting for me in the dining room with breakfast.

When did he even come back?

He was coming home later and later, sometimes with a strange perfume lingering on him.

And the last time we slept together, he teased me in bed, saying that after all these years, my figure was still as flat as when I was nineteen, like he just couldn't get me to fill out no matter what.

It all just felt so ridiculous. Honestly, I'd rather believe the company we built from nothing would go under than believe Kyler would betray me.

He always remembered when I was on my period, never forgot an anniversary, and gave me a good morning kiss every day.

He would get so worried when I was sick, wishing he could be the one suffering instead. How could he turn into just an average, messed-up guy?

The sound of water in the bathroom faded, and I snapped back to reality. I quickly marked his messages as unread, put his phone back where I found it, and started wandering around the bedroom, tossing clothes into my suitcase.

Olivia and I had tickets to fly to Tiusla tomorrow, and here I was, only just starting to pack tonight.

Before this, I rarely looked at Kyler's phone. I trusted him the way he trusted me.

When we first got together, he used to complain that I didn't care enough, that I wasn't like other girls who'd randomly snoop through their boyfriend's phone, and he'd even get jealous of those men.

But I told him, dead serious, that besides my mom, who passed away, he meant more to me than anyone else in this world. Even if the world came crashing down, I'd still never believe he'd cheat on me.

His eyes went all red, and he looked at me like he was about to cry, completely touched.

After all, my mom passed away early, and my dad remarried and left me behind. The only person who ever truly cared about me was Kyler, who grew up next door, raised by his grandma.

He'd boss me around to make sure I studied, and he'd even skip his own night classes to work odd jobs, just so I could afford my tuition.

After his grandma died, it was just the two of us against the world. After we graduated from high school, we both got into the same college.

He sold his old house, and we left everything behind in that tiny town, moving here to start over together.

Same two people, new life. I really thought we'd stay happy, just the two of us, forever.

"Babe, why are you packing winter clothes?" Kyler came out of the bathroom, towel-drying his hair. When he saw me packing, he walked over, sighed, and took the sweater out of my hands. "It's tropical over there. Just bring summer clothes."

As soon as I caught that familiar mint scent on him, I instinctively stepped back. Suddenly, nausea shot up my throat. I couldn't take it anymore. I shoved past him and bolted for the bathroom, retching so hard that I thought I might black out.

"Babe." He rushed after me, gently patting my back. He didn't even seem bothered by the nasty smell in the air, but just worried about me, handing me a clean towel. "What's wrong?"

"Just a bit of an upset stomach," I said, washing my face. In the mirror, I saw Kyler still looking all worried and tense. Then, his eyes suddenly lit up. "Grace, don't tell me you're..."

I gave him a weak smile. "No, my period just finished at the start of the month. Did you forget?"

"Maybe you just ate something bad? Maybe we should get a new cook?" Kyler looked a little disappointed for a second. "If you're not feeling well, maybe you shouldn't go tomorrow. I'll ask Olivia to look after you, and you can go when you're feeling—"

I cut him off, "No."

All those years we spent together building trust.

I was a mess inside. Until I could figure out what to do, I just couldn't face him alone.

He gave me that look like he had no choice but to give in. "Alright then, hold on tight, my lady."

Out of nowhere, I felt myself lifted off the floor and let out a startled yelp. Before I could react, Kyler slipped his arms under my knees and carried me back to the bedroom.

Then he rushed downstairs to pour me a cup of water, and started packing my suitcase for Tiusla.

Could someone really pretend to love another person?

Or maybe, loving me never stopped him from loving someone else, too.

My eyes grew hot. I blinked hard, desperately fighting back the tears.