Driven by an impulse, I entered the password I recalled last night and unlocked the screen.
The first thing that grabbed my attention was his chat with his friends.
[I’m down to my last move. Like using a fake marriage to finally get Avery to walk away. I can't bear another day with her.]
[But hey, Lyra’s back; this plan should do the trick! It’s all on you tonight. If it goes well, drinks are on me. Just make sure Avery gets the call and shows up. Lyra needs to believe this is real.]
My fingers froze on the screen, and my breath came in shallow gasps.
No matter how hard I tried to draw in the air, it felt like my lungs were empty.
Tears began to spill uncontrollably down my cheeks.
I muffled my gasp, making sure no sound escaped.
In a calm tone, I saved Lyra’s account and added her as a friend.
Like a hidden observer, I watched their story unfold. Just then, a new message popped up on my phone.
[Hey, about last night, aren’t you going to do something about it?]
Spencer’s name flashed onto the screen, and memories of last night flooded.
With only a moment’s hesitation, I shot off a response, [Responsibility? Hmm, how about marriage?]
I had dismissed last night as a fleeting lapse, but Spencer’s unexpected arrival was a pleasant surprise.
His presence brought an unforeseen relief, and his infectious energy effortlessly brightened my mood.
Five hours later, the wedding photo shoot wrapped up, and I still felt disoriented.
I graciously turned down his offer to drive me home.
After a shared meal, I caught a taxi on my own.
The moment I stepped through the door, the aroma of food greeted me, making me stop in my tracks.
That’s when I noticed Theron in the kitchen, wearing an apron and setting dishes on the dining table.
If I remember correctly, it was the first time he’d cooked a meal in six years. His face flushed with a hint of awkwardness as soon as he saw me.
“The thing in my pocket... don’t think too much about it, alright? My friend just pushed it on me; it’s nothing—” Theron said, looking uncomfortable.
“Oh, that?” I replied, brushing it off. “It’s no big deal. I didn’t think twice about it. We’re adults; it’s all part of life.”
He seemed to expect anger or a confrontation, but my calm reaction caught him off guard. His unease grew, and his brow furrowed deeply.
“I’m trying to explain—” he began, his voice tight.