Daniel's POV

Last night, while I pretended to be asleep, Regina quietly slid out of bed and started packing her things.

She moved carefully, trying not to wake me. But I heard every shuffle, every zipper, every hushed breath. She thought she was being slick, but I wasn’t sleeping. I was wide awake.

As she moved around the room, she kept whispering on the phone. Erickson was on the other end. She was laughing breathily, as they joked about what position they’d try tomorrow, like this was all some game.

I didn’t get a second of sleep.

Instead, I picked up my phone and messaged my boss.

I’d made up my mind. I was transferring to France to take over the branch office there. Permanent relocation. New life. No looking back.

From now on, I’d never have to see Regina again.

The next morning, she left the house early, practically bouncing out the door like she couldn’t get away fast enough. I stood by the window and watched her rush off. There was this bitter weight in my chest, heavy and cold.

But I still followed her.

I stayed out of sight, keeping behind cover. Ended up hiding behind a big tree at the edge of the woods. And what I saw… I’ll never forget it.

Regina and Erickson were out in the grass, tangled up in each other. Laughing, moaning, clawing at each other like wild animals.

She pulled a sheer negligee out of her bag, one I’d never seen before, but Erickson stopped her with a crooked grin.

“Let me put it on you myself,” he said, real proud of himself.

They giggled like they were in high school. No shame. No filter. Then they went straight into it, not caring who might’ve been nearby.

Regina kissed along his jawline, her voice breathy. “The grass is so rough… It’s gonna ruin my skin.”

Erickson just chuckled and nipped at her ear. “First time for everything. That little thrill just makes it hotter, doesn’t it?”

“You’re such an asshole,” she whispered, half-laughing.

He snorted. “That idiot doesn’t even know we’re screwing right under his nose. He’s still up on the trail, playing guard dog.”

“You’re the worst,” she said, swatting him half-heartedly. “You’re always pushing it. If Daniel finds out, you’re screwed.”

“Oh yeah?” he said, grinning. “But you’d miss it. If I was outta the picture, how would you get that kind of pleasure again?”

I couldn’t move.

It was one thing to hear about it. It was another to see it. Watching it unfold and seeing how deep the betrayal went cut deeper than anything she’d ever said to my face.

After a while, Regina sat up, brushing dirt off her clothes.

“We should wrap this up. Daniel’s still waiting for me to come back.”

“No way,” Erickson said, dragging her back down. “I’m not done with you yet.”

I’d never seen this version of her that was so wild and careless. She wasn’t even the same person when she was with him.

I turned and started walking away.

My head was spinning. I couldn’t think straight. I must’ve misjudged the path because the next thing I knew, my foot slipped.

I lost my footing and went tumbling down the slope.

My instincts took over, and I instinctively grabbed a robust vine on the hillside.

Now I was dangling, one hand clinging to that vine, my legs kicking over open air.

“Help!” I shouted. “Somebody!”

My voice echoed through the trees. I screamed until my throat burned.

No one came.

Desperate, I gritted my teeth and fished my phone out of my pocket with my free hand.

I dialed Regina.

No answer.

I called again. And again. I must’ve hit that redial button a dozen times.

Nothing.

She was probably still rolling around in the grass with him, still riding whatever high they’d gotten off of screwing me over.

Finally, after what felt like forever, the call connected.

Her voice came through, irritated and clipped.

“Daniel, I’m in the middle of taking a piss, okay? Stop calling. You’re killing the mood. My stomach hurts like hell. I might have eaten something bad last night.”

I didn’t even argue.

I immediately told her that I was stranded on the edge of a mountain, about to fall, and needed immediate assistance.

She paused, but her tone didn’t change. “Oh, come on. Don’t be so dramatic. This mountain isn’t even that steep. You city guys really do love to exaggerate.”

But she wasn’t there. She didn’t see the edge. She didn’t see what I was clinging to.

And then, the vine gave out.

It snapped.

I dropped like a rock, rolling downhill, crashing through branches, smashing into stones until I hit a sharp boulder at the bottom. Hard.

The pain hit like a freight train. My leg was a mangled mess of blood and torn muscle. I could barely breathe.

And then I realized that my phone was still on.

The call hadn’t ended.

Through the speaker, I could still hear her voice. She wasn’t alone. There were soft moans, heavy breathing.

She’d heard my screams.

She knew I was in trouble.

And she didn’t stop.

Faced with the choice between love and lust, she picked lust.

And just like that, whatever I had left for her and whatever tiny scrap of love was still hanging on was gone.

I shut my eyes.

Even when night fell, she never came looking for me.

She didn’t even bother checking if I was alive.

Eventually, I dragged myself down the mountain. One step at a time, pain flaring with every move, my leg was a practically dead weight.

By some miracle, there was an ambulance waiting at the base. Someone else must’ve called it in. A stranger, probably.

Not her.

She and the others were long gone.

No text. No call. Nothing.

It wasn’t until deep into the night that my phone finally rang.

It was her.

I answered.

“Daniel, where are you?” she snapped, her voice sharp and irritated.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head.

Daniel's POV

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you that question?" I said coldly. "You said you were just going to take a leak. Then you disappear for hours? Anybody watching this would think you were off doing something shady."

The anger I'd been hiding for so long finally started to come out. It wasn't explosive, but cold and sharp, just under the surface.

Then, Regina's expression twisted. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I cheated on you? Really? I just stepped away for a minute, and when I came back, you were gone. I looked everywhere. Then my phone lost signal. I was panicking and even hurt my leg looking for you!"

She said it with conviction. Eyes wide. Breathing short. Like she was the one who'd been abandoned.

She said she injured herself trying to find me.

How sweet.

How ironic.

After I gave her the hospital's name, she arrived in less than thirty minutes, limping like she'd just been through hell. Erickson was behind her, followed by her usual group of noisy girlfriends.

The moment she caught sight of my leg, bandaged and stiff, her face filled with guilt.

"I'm so sorry, Daniel… This is all my fault. I should never have dragged you out to pick mushrooms," she murmured, almost tenderly. "Does your leg still hurt? I'm not going anywhere now. I'll stay right here with you."

I didn't want her there. I couldn't stand being near her. I didn't want her to hold my hand. I didn't want to be stuck in the same room.

But Regina threw her arms around me as though she truly regretted everything.

I tried to push her off, and she held on tighter.

"You're hurt too," I said, voice even. "Let go. Go take care of yourself."

"No," Regina whispered, clinging to me. "That's not important. You're the only one I care about."

There was no point in fighting it. I didn't have the energy. I just sat there, motionless.

She mistook my silence for forgiveness.

After a few minutes, she finally let go and sat at the edge of the bed. Then, she pulled an apple from her bag and began peeling it as if she'd done it a hundred times, calm, graceful, like nothing had ever gone wrong.

Regina's familiar smile lit up as she gently brought a slice to my lips and began feeding me. She chatted with her friends in a playful Cajun accent, as if we were just having a casual brunch.

"Good thing I faked the leg injury," she said with a little laugh. "Had to look pathetic somehow. Or else, how the hell would I get away with cheating?"

"Tch. You're slick," one of the girls said, barely hiding her snicker.

"Of course I'm slick. Look at my Daniel—he already let it go. Didn't even ask questions."

"God, what a simp. You got him wrapped around your finger."

"That's love, baby," she said, grinning. "My Daniel loves me."

My whole body tensed. Breathing grew tight.

Why?

Why did she always lie like it was second nature? Like it didn't cost her anything?

Just a minute ago, I thought she might have been hurt. I truly believed it for a moment.

And I thought I should try to forgive her.

What a fool I was.

She was never sorry. Never honest.

She didn't deserve my trust—never did.

And now, sitting next to me like a loving partner, she was casually talking about the affair, repeating it like a juicy little story and laughing with her girlfriends about the whole thing, as if it were some wild adventure.

They joked about their hookups as if they were exchanging tips.

Shameless, loud, and cruel.

They would glance at me now and then. Their eyes conveyed everything. He didn't understand or realize, and was still acting like a fool.

Eventually, the hospital discharged me.

Coincidentally, that day was our engagement party.

Regina arrived dressed to impress. She wore a tight, silky evening gown that hugged her curves, her makeup was perfect, and her smile was ready for the camera.

Erickson followed close behind, like a whipped puppy who hadn't realized he was disposable. He reached out and tried to grab her hand.

"Regina… you're really gonna marry him?" he asked, voice raw. "What about me? What do I mean to you?"

She turned, gave him this cool, half-smile.

"You?" she said softly. "You're just a hookup."

His face fell.

"But I love you," he said, voice cracking.

"And I love Daniel more," she replied. And this time, she said it with weight, like it was a promise. "After we're married, I'm cutting ties with you. I want to start fresh. Be a real wife. Do it right."

As those words spilled from her lips, I packed up my belongings and watched everything unfold through the surveillance feed.

I pressed the phone to my ear.

"The flight leaves in two hours," I told my boss. "I'll head out soon. See you in Paris."

I ended the call, zipped up my suitcase, and walked out without a backward glance.

But before I left, I gave Regina a parting gift.

...

Regina's POV

The engagement hall buzzed with laughter and music, but beneath the glamorous lights, my nerves betrayed me.

Daniel still hadn't shown up.

My fingers clenched around my phone, ready to call him, when Kevin Smith, Daniel's best friend, suddenly appeared. His wine glass tilted casually in his hand, and he had that smug smile plastered across his face.

"Congratulations!" he said, voice brimming with cheer, as though he owned the room. "Daniel's a man who really values love. Solid, reliable guy. Don't worry, he'll be here right on time."

I forced a smile, though my chest tightened.

'Why did his words feel so pointed?'

Then Kevin's tone shifted, almost lazily, like a cat toying with prey. "But… there's just one thing he can't stand."

He sipped his wine, eyes glinting with something sharp.

A chill spread through me. My smile wavered despite my best effort to hold it steady.

"He hates betrayal."

Kevin's words sliced through the noise around us, straight into me.

My throat closed. I froze, the corners of my lips twitching into something that wasn't quite a smile anymore.

I opened my mouth, desperate to say anything, but no words came.

Kevin only smirked, tapping his temple as if he remembered a funny secret.

And at that moment, I felt exposed, completely vulnerable under the lights, as if he knew everything I was trying so hard to hide.

"Oh, almost forgot to mention," Kevin said, lazily swirling his glass of red wine. "Turns out we're from the same hometown. Daniel too. Before he switched his residency to L.A., he lived right next door to you. Literally. One house over."

My stomach sank.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a worn, creased paper. "See? His original household record. I'm not bullshitting you, Regina. If you want proof, I could bust out the Cajun tongue right now."