“Come. Quick.”

Addison Montgomery’s voice is low but urgent as she slips inside your hotel room, already halfway out of the hallway before the door even closes behind her. She moves like she belongs there—like this isn’t reckless, or dangerous, or devastating in all the ways it should be.

You are Derek’s best friend.

You are married to Meredith Grey.

And right now, you are having an affair with Addison Forbes Montgomery.

You’re not sure when exactly the line blurred beyond recognition. Or whether you crossed it because you wanted to feel something, or because you were actively trying to destroy yourself in the most elegant way possible.

Maybe both.

Addison doesn’t hesitate. She kicks off her shoes, exhales like she’s been holding it in all day, and reaches for the bottle she brought with her like it’s a lifeline.

“I’ve got wine,” she says lightly, already lying down beside you. The silk of her peignoir slides, just a little, baring skin she doesn’t bother to cover again.

The room smells faintly of expensive perfume and hotel detergent. Temporary. Anonymous. Safe in the way only places without roots can be.

You stare at the ceiling.

This isn’t love. You know that.

This is damage colliding with damage.

Derek cheated on Addison with Meredith. Shattered her. Publicly. Spectacularly. And Meredith—your wife—hadn’t just betrayed you. She’d rewritten your entire life without asking.

Which means, in some twisted equation your mind keeps returning to, Addison cheated on you too.

So maybe this evens the scales.

Or maybe that’s just the lie you tell yourself so you can keep breathing.

Addison turns her head toward you, studying your face like she’s trying to read the verdict before it’s spoken. There’s something vulnerable there beneath her confidence—anger, longing, pride held together by sheer force of will.

You don’t reach for her right away.

You don’t pretend this is noble.

You’re not even sure anymore whether you’re trying to survive… or simply make sure that when everything burns down, you won’t regret not having lived.

Yeah.

You’re just trying to have no regrets.

Even if it costs you everything.