My husband drives me out so I can meet my best friend for an afternoon tea session. That's when I discover a used condom and a stray earring wedged between the door and the front passenger seat.

I'm distraught as I head to the restaurant. My best friend hugs me warmly, but the lone earring she wears pierces my heart.

I don't expose them for their betrayal. Instead, I fall into bed with my husband's best friend that very night.

Later, James Fullman roars and asks why I've done this to him. I smile faintly and lean into the embrace of the man beside me. "You're not the only one who can get hot and heavy in the front passenger seat, you know."

My body froze when I found a used condom wedged in the side of the passenger seat. My mind went completely blank.

James Fullman and I had been in love for 10 years.

We fell in love at the peak of our youth. We became each other's most treasured memory of those innocent days.

The distance between us in our college years did not manage to break us. Although separated by 600 miles, we called each other constantly, pouring out how much we missed one another. I would sob uncontrollably on the phone, while he listened in silence. Tears would well up in his eyes too.

No one expected our relationship to last. Not even the internet believed in long-distance relationships.

Yet, James proved everyone wrong. He showed up on my graduation day and went on one knee as he presented me with the ring he had spent all his allowance on.

It was a sunny afternoon, but James shone brighter than anything else in my eyes. His youthful gaze sparkled with unwavering determination.

"Melina, I've lived every day of my life pining for you ever since we met. Only you make my heart ache in the most bittersweet way. The thought of a future without you terrifies me.

"I know proposing now might seem impulsive—maybe even reckless—but all I want is to spend forever with you.

"Melina Carlington, will you marry me?"

I could not remember how he slipped the ring on my finger on that day. All that stayed with me was the sound of my classmates cheering, the tears streaming down my face, and the way James held me tightly in his arms.

"I will treat you right forever," he whispered. "Trust me."

And I did. I trusted him for five years.

We got married after we graduated college and became the most perfect couple in our social circles.

James stayed true to his words. He pampered me and protected me well. After I accidentally cut myself in the kitchen, he banned me from cooking altogether.

With tears brimming in his eyes, he bandaged my finger and kissed the back of my hand. "Melina, you can't get hurt. It would break my heart."

I once believed I was the happiest woman alive. Defying my parents' wishes to move to an unfamiliar city for him felt worth it.

I had placed all my bets on our marriage, convinced James would never be like the men who strayed.

But just when I thought I'd won that gamble, a devastating betrayal shattered my world. It happened five years into our marriage and 10 years into our love story.

Disgusted by the used condom, I gagged and nearly puked on the spot.

I flung it out of the car window. When I looked down again, I spotted a shining object on the carpet.

My heart sank as I picked it up. It was a single earring. A chill ran down my spine. Without a doubt, it belonged to the woman James had slept with.

With a pale face and trembling fingers, I shoved the earring into my bag.

At that moment, James opened the car door and jiggled the box of dessert in his hand. Sounding cheerful, he chirped, "Darling, I got your favorite dessert. Take it to the café and share it with Sally."

I stared at him squarely while mustering all my energy to hold back tears.

I deliberated whether or not to ask him about it, confront him, or make a scene about the discovery. The words formed on my tongue but refused to come out. Cowardice held me back. I was terrified to hear the truth I already feared.

James noticed my unease and worriedly brushed my hair. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Want me to take you to the hospital?"

After a long, strained silence, I shook my head weakly. "No… Just drive me to meet Sally."

The only wish on my mind was to meet with Sally Bayer. Only in her presence could I breathe easy.

Sally was my childhood best friend. She had witnessed my love story with James. She even moved to this unfamiliar city for my sake.

Every time I got into a fight with James, I would crash at Sally's place. We'd drink, binge TV shows or movies, or hug each other for comfort.

"Mel, every time you come to me, it makes me think I made the right decision to move to your city. I'd hate myself if you had no shoulder to lean on when you're upset."

Sally was not just my friend and bestie; she was my only family in this city. Apart from Sally, I had no one to turn to.

James looked puzzled, but he drove me to the cafe as I asked. "Have a good chat with Sally. Shall I pick you up later?"

I frantically shook my head. "It's fine. I'm staying the night at her place."

With that, I hopped out of the car and practically bolted into the café.

From afar, I spotted Sally sitting in a corner. The moment I saw her, my tears spilled over.

"Hey, Mel!" Sally shot up when she saw me enter. Her wide smile faded at the sight of my tears. "Mel, what's wrong? What happened?

"Don't cry! I'm here for you!"

While grabbing Sally's hand, I cried and cried until I nearly couldn't speak.

"I… James… He…" When I struggled to get my words out, my eyes drifted to Sally's ears. Sally was wearing an earring on her left ear. The other one was missing.

The remaining earring looked familiar to me because it matched the one in my bag.

The café’s noise faded into silence as a deafening buzz filled my ears.

For nearly a few minutes, I couldn't hear any sound.

It felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was as if I was bleeding profusely and staining everything around me.

Sally's worried face hovered over me. She wouldn't stop bombarding me with questions.

"Mel, what's wrong?

"Why are you crying so hard? Did James bully you?

"Say something! If he bullies you, I'll stand up for you!"

I stared at her blankly. In the past, I would feel touched whenever she showered me with these words of comfort and support.

But now, I felt nothing but fear in the face of Sally's fake indignance and righteousness. I struggled to believe that the two people who had stayed by my side for 10 years would work together to betray me. They meant more to me than my life.

An overwhelming terror consumed me. I felt like someone had dropped a bucket of ice water over me. All the warmth in my body was gone.

I had no idea how much time had passed before I finally found my voice again.

My best friend now looked like a stranger to me. I shook my head softly. "Nothing. I just had a fight with James."

Sally laughed and hugged me. "Gosh, you got me thinking something serious has happened! You're spoiled rotten by James. Honestly, your husband is one of the best out there. Don't be too stubborn.

"I am only telling you this because you're my best friend. If James were anyone else's husband, I would have made him mine long ago!"

A sharp pain pierced my chest. Why had I never doubted Sally when all the while, she had been making such bold, ridiculous statements?

Why had I trusted them unconditionally all these years? Was I truly that foolish?

Sally made me take a seat. It took me a while to calm down.

I glanced at the missing earring on her other ear and asked quietly, "Where's your other earring? Why are you only wearing one?"

Sally instinctively touched her ear. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. "Oh, it was there this morning. Maybe I lost it while shopping with a friend."

No wonder James had suddenly left home this morning, citing an urgent situation at work.

So, he had used that disgusting condom in the car this morning with Sally.

A wave of nausea surged in my chest, and I almost vomited.

"I don't feel well. I'll head home first," I said.

Seeing my pale face, Sally didn't press further. She nodded furiously. "Okay. We'll meet another day. Rest well."

Before she could finish, I fled from the café. The breeze whipped my body unforgivingly.

Suddenly, it struck me that James' car dashcam was connected to my phone.

Standing on the street, I opened the app with trembling hands and pulled up the footage from this morning.

Sure enough, it didn't take long before Sally's familiar voice came through. "Why are you late? Don't you miss me at all?"

Then came James' voice, which was laced with a hint of impatience. "Didn't I tell you not to call me when I'm at home? Mel can unlock my phone. Do you know what would happen if she answered?"

"Mel! Mel! All you ever talk about is Mel! Why are you sleeping with me if you love her so much?"

A long silence followed.

Sally's tone suddenly softened. "Alright, I didn't ask you out to argue with you… James, it's been so long since I've seen you. Do you know how much I miss you?

"Every night, I dream of you. I wish I could show up at your house, but I held back because I care about you. I don't want to upset you…

"I don't need you to marry or date me. All I want is you!"

What followed were noises of them shamefully making out.

The saccharine moans echoed through the entire recording. James, who once whispered sweet nothings in my ear, was now engaged in dirty talk with another woman.

"Oh, my Sal, my dear Sal. Only you can bring me such pleasure. Mel is so fragile that I'm scared she'd break at any moment if I handled her too roughly.

"But you're different. You fulfill all my desires."

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into my heart.

I clutched my chest. Unable to hold back anymore, I retched and collapsed onto the ground in utter despair.

Why? Why did this have to happen to me? Why did they have to do this to me?

The unbearable pain made me wish I could die at that moment.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't cry out loud. I gasped, finding it impossible to breathe.

Just when I thought I would die on that desolate street, a car screeched to a halt beside me. A man jumped out and ran over. He scooped me up in his arms.

His familiar voice was filled with urgency. "Mel, breathe! Don't be scared. Just breathe!"

I raised my head, and Evan Rochester's face came into view.

Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.