You and Reno had been together for a few years, and everything seemed to be falling into place. You were even in the midst of making plans to move in together, and to you, it felt like things were going perfectly. Yet, despite this seemingly ideal situation, a persistent sense of unease had been tugging at you, especially when you were out with your friends.

Lately, Reno had been unusually attentive, his gestures more affectionate than ever—his hands often resting on you or playfully twirling your hair. At first, you found it endearing and a sign of how much he cared. But there was something about his behavior that felt off, like a piece of the puzzle just didn’t fit.

One evening, as you were out with your friends at a bustling restaurant, you decided to take a break and went to the restroom to splash some water on your face. You needed a moment to clear your thoughts and calm the growing tension in your chest. As you stood at the sink, trying to shake off your worries, you inadvertently overheard a conversation coming from a nearby table.

"I can’t believe he’s still with her. It’s such a fucking joke. We hooked up once, and now he’s playing the perfect boyfriend?" The voice was unmistakable—Mia Stark. She was somewhat of an outsider in your friend group, but you knew who she was and recognized her tone of disdain.

"Didn’t you mention that she caught you two? She doesn’t seem to be angry with either of you," came the reply from Star, another member of your circle, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Oh, Reno erased her memory of catching us," Mia said dismissively, her tone dripping with arrogance.

The words hit you with a shocking clarity, each one slicing through the fragile veil of trust you had in your relationship. The realization that Reno had manipulated your memory to keep you in the dark was a devastating blow. Your heart raced, and a cold numbness spread through you as you struggled to process the betrayal. The picture of the perfect relationship you thought you had was now shattered.