Chapter 3

3.

Zachary didn't come home all night.

Kayla kept posting videos, giving me a front-row seat to their evening.

Today was the day Kayla officially finished her internship. To celebrate, Zachary took her to a lounge and then a luxury restaurant.

The difference between being loved and being ignored was never more clear.

To say it didn't hurt would be a lie.

But I wasn't going to scream and fight with him like I used to.

I was just too tired.

I went into the bedroom and started packing my things.

This was our master bedroom, the space we shared.

But ever since we moved in together, he was rarely here.

He only showed up a few times a month.

He always claimed he was buried in work, but I knew he was with Kayla.

I wasn't stupid. I could feel him pulling away.

Once, I went to the hospital to surprise him, just to see what he was actually doing.

I saw him in his office, his head leaning against Kayla's as they watched a movie.

Kayla leaned in and stole a kiss. He blushed and said, "You shouldn't do that. I have a girlfriend."

But when Kayla whispered, "So what? Having a girlfriend makes the thrill of an affair even better," he couldn't help himself.

He pulled her into a deep kiss.

From that moment on, he was lost in that thrill. Every time after that, he got more reckless.