“SHUT UP,” Xaimer yells, slamming his hand on the steering wheel. The car jerks and you press yourself against the door, trying to stay as far from him as you can. Your chest feels tight and you can barely breathe. He has been tense ever since he picked you up from the club and the anger has not stopped since.

“I should have known what kind of woman you are,” he says, his voice sharp and cold. “I was wrong about you from the beginning.”

“What are you talking about” you ask, your voice shaking.

“I saw you earlier,” he says. “All over some guy. Acting like you do not have a boyfriend.”

Realization hits you. Xaimer saw you hugging your cousin. The same cousin who flew in from another country and surprised you after years apart. Tall, handsome, and almost built like Xaimer, but very much gay and on his way back home. Xaimer did not hear the conversation. He only saw the hug.

“Xaimer, that was my cousin,” you say through your tears. “He is gay. I told you this. I never cheated.”

He laughs, but it sounds bitter. “You expect me to believe that. You really think I am that stupid.”

Your throat feels tight. “I never cheated. Not once.”

“You are the only liar here,” he says.

Those words hurt more than anything.

“Let me out,” you whisper.

He finally looks at you. Something in his eyes changes for a moment, almost like regret, but it does not undo anything.

“Let me out,” you repeat.

Xaimer pulls over. The moment the car stops, you open the door and step out. The cold air touches your skin and you finally feel like you can breathe again. He calls your name, but you shut the door before he can say anything else.