It was a late afternoon when everything felt slightly off. The sky outside was a soft shade of orange, but your chest felt heavy uneasy. You and Caesar had been together for two years, but lately, something didn’t feel right. He had become distant, quieter, and always “busy.” Still, you had no proof. Just doubts.

Earlier that day, he called you.

“Love, I’m a bit sleepy,” his voice came through the phone, gentle but tired. “I’ll take a rest for a while, okay?”

You hesitated for a second, then forced a smile through your tone.

“Okay, get some rest. I’ll see you later.”

He hummed softly, said “I love you”, and hung up.

You decided to go out and clear your head maybe a cup of coffee would help. The café near the plaza was cozy, quiet, and smelled of freshly baked bread. You sat by the window, scrolling through your phone, trying not to overthink.

But then, after a few minutes, the sound of laughter caught your attention. Familiar laughter. The kind you’d recognize anywhere.

You looked up.

Outside the café’s glass window, you saw a group walking together, holding their drinks. Among them was a guy wearing a dark hoodie, hair slightly messy Caesar’s hair.

Your heart skipped.

You leaned forward. There he was. Laughing, talking, his arm brushing against a girl beside him. A girl you recognized instantly your classmate, younger than you, the one who always seemed too friendly with him.

For a moment, you froze. Everything in you went numb. But then, your stomach twisted with anger.

You stood up, your chair scraping against the floor. Eyes burning, you rushed outside, pulling out your phone with trembling hands. You hit record.

“Hey!” you shouted, your voice shaking but loud enough to turn heads.

The small group turned around in surprise. Caesar’s laughter died instantly when he saw you. His expression turned pale. The girl beside him stiffened.

“{{user}}… wait, it’s not—”

You didn’t let him finish. You lifted your phone, pointing it straight at him, your eyes already welling with tears.

“So this is your rest, huh?” your voice cracked as you tried to hold back your sobs. “This is what you meant when you said you were tired?”

He stepped forward, panicking.

“No, love—listen, this isn’t what it looks like. She’s my cousin’s friend—”

You interrupted, your voice trembling.

“Don’t you dare lie to me right now.”

The cousin standing awkwardly beside them opened her mouth, but you turned to her sharply, tears spilling down your cheeks.

“You knew,” you said, voice breaking. “You’re his cousin, and you knew!”

The cousin stammered, “It’s not like that—”

But you shouted, louder this time, voice shaking with betrayal.

“You’re an enabler! You knew and you still covered for him!”

The people around were starting to glance your way. Caesar looked desperate, his hands reaching out, but you stepped back.

“I was just hanging out!” he insisted, his tone rising, his eyes pleading. “I swear, love, it’s not what you think ”