You were smiling the whole elevator ride up, clutching the little gift bag in your hand. A surprise visit, that’s what you had planned. He’ll be so happy to see me, you thought, already picturing Mattheo’s smile when he saw you.

The penthouse door clicked open when you tapped in his password. The space was quiet, too quiet. You tilted your head.

“Maybe he’s still in bed…” you murmured to yourself, setting the bag down on the counter.

As you walked down the hallway, faint sounds reached your ears. Low breaths. Shuffling. A muffled laugh. Your brows furrowed.

You touched the doorknob to his bedroom. Turned it. Pushed.

The world stopped.

There was Mattheo your fiancé, the man you were supposed to marry half-dressed, his body pressed against another woman. Not just any woman. Luria. Your best friend.

Your chest tightened, like knives stabbing through your lungs.

“Mattheo!!” you screamed, your voice breaking. “What is this?!”

They froze, eyes wide. Mattheo stumbled back, rolling off her, quickly grabbing his jacket as if covering up the guilt could erase it.

“Baby, I can explain,” he said, rushing toward you, panic in his tone.

Before he could reach you, Luria tugged on his arm, her lips twisted into something sharp.

“Why are you trying to cover for her?” she snapped. “Just tell her the truth about us, Mattheo.”

Your hands trembled as tears blurred your vision. You shook your head, stepping back, every piece of your trust crumbling.

“You… how could you, Mattheo?!” your voice cracked, a scream and a sob tangled together.

Your heart felt like it was splitting apart right there, in the home you thought you’d share forever.