He seemed like the perfect companion, but behind my back, my little "puppy" was betraying me. He even slept with other women in my villa. So, I turned to the embrace of an older man instead. I sold the Rolex I bought for my little "puppy" and used the money to buy a Hermès leather collar for my actual dog.

——

The clock struck midnight, the elegant hall filled with murmurs of business conversations and clinking glasses. The air was heavy with the scent of expensive cologne, blending with the soft jazz that floated from the live band in the corner. I stood alone, my hand gripping a slim champagne flute, dressed in a thin, silk evening gown that shimmered under the dim lights. My mind wandered as I stared out the large windows at the city skyline glowing beneath the starless night.

Suddenly, the soft buzz of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced down to see a message from Kai. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did when I saw his name.

Kai: [Alycia, next week I have to attend a high school classmate's wedding. He asked me to be his groomsman ages ago and I really can't back out this time, no matter what.]

A small smile tugged at my lips. Before I could respond, another message followed.

Kai: [And, Alycia, can I borrow your Porsche 911 to drive? You know how it is when old friends haven't seen each other for years—there's always some competition. You wouldn't want your boyfriend to be looked down upon, right? Sob, sob.]

Attached to his last message was a sad emoji. My fingers hovered over the screen for a second before I sighed, shaking my head fondly.

Me: [Alright, alright, I can't say no to you. But Kai, let's set a few ground rules first. At the wedding, I don't want you having any physical contact with other girls. You know I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to relationships.]

I hit send, wondering how he'd charm his way out of this one. Almost immediately, his response popped up.

Kai: [Don't worry. You know what kind of person I am. Besides, haven't I already been yours for a long time? The kind of person you control completely... even in bed...]

His words dripped sweetness, each one wrapping around my heart like honey. I couldn't help but blush. Kai Carter, my little puppy. We had been together for five years and in all that time, his playful demeanor has never failed to brighten my life. He's seven years younger than me, but his youthful energy had always felt like a breath of fresh air, reinvigorating parts of me. I've never been one to consider marriage seriously, but with Kai, the thought has crossed my mind more than once.

Still, for all his charm, he had a way of being... evasive, hiding little things, trying to be clever, like a puppy who's stolen a shoe and thought he could get away with it.

By the time the party ended, it was past 2 AM. The heavens had opened up and a torrential downpour soaked the city. My colleagues had all left in their chauffeured cars, leaving me stranded under the marble portico of the lavish venue. My driver was off tonight and every attempt to hail a ride had been fruitless due to the storm. I stared helplessly at my phone, the rain reflecting the tiredness that had settled in my bones.

With no other option, I called Kai. The phone rang and rang, my heart sinking with each passing second. When he finally picked up, his voice was muffled by loud music in the background.

"Kai, where are you? The party's over here and I can't get a ride. I need you to come pick me up," I said, my voice tight with frustration.

"Uh, Alycia... what are you saying... the signal's bad here... I can't hear you... I'm out having fun right now. I'll call you back when I get home... Love you, Alycia... Mwah, mwah!"

Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at the screen, my hand frozen midair as the busy tone echoed in my ear. The club music I had heard in the background replayed in my head, each beat pounding against my patience. I pressed my hand to my forehead, letting out a weary sigh.

"He's just being a kid," I whispered to myself. "I guess I can't expect too much from him."

But deep down, it stung. Kai's habit of vanishing when I needed him most was all too familiar. He would disappear into his own world, only to resurface with profuse apologies the next day, promising it wouldn't happen again. But it always did.

With no ride in sight, I slipped off my high heels—delicate lambskin soles, no match for the rain—and began walking barefoot through the storm. The cold rain pelted against my skin, soaking my thin evening gown until it clung to me like a heavy weight. The chill seeped into my bones as I trudged through the puddles, my feet aching with every step.

The city lights blurred in the rain. Cars sped by, splashing water onto the sidewalk. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, trying to stave off the cold. For a brief moment, I let myself think about what life might be like if Kai were different. If, for once, he put me first when I needed him. My thoughts wandered to marriage—something I never thought I'd seriously consider—and how it seemed further out of reach with each passing day.

Just as I was about to lose hope, a sleek black BMW rolled up beside me. The window lowered slowly, revealing a familiar face. My heart stopped for a moment, my breath catching in my throat.

It was Oscar Morris, my ex-husband.

His dark eyes softened with concern as they met mine and for a brief second, I felt the world slow down. The rain continued to fall, but it was as if everything around us had faded into the background.

"Do you need help, Miss?" His voice was as deep and gentlemanly as ever, tinged with the same calm authority that once made me fall for him.

I blinked, trying to process the shock. Of all the nights, of all the people... Oscar. What was he doing here?

When I was with Oscar, I was at the peak of my rebellious youth. Back then, everything felt too confining and I wanted to break free from anything that felt like it was trying to shape me into someone I wasn't. Oscar, being a few years older, had this way of treating me like I was fragile, like I was something precious but delicate, always fussing over me, taking care of every little thing. At first, I loved the attention, the sense of being adored, but after a while, it started to feel suffocating. Like I was more his child than his equal. So, in a fit of defiance, I ended things.

I remember how devastated he was, how he stood in front of me, pleading, his eyes filled with confusion and hurt. "Why?" he kept asking. "Tell me and I'll change. Whatever it is, Alycia, I can fix it."

But I didn't want him to fix it. I wanted out, and in my desperation to make him let go, I blurted out the most hurtful thing I could think of.

"Oscar, the reason I'm breaking up with you is because... you're not good in bed. You can't satisfy me."

I still cringe thinking about it. Watching the words hit him, seeing the way his expression collapsed—Oscar, the man who never faltered, who always seemed so composed, was shattered by those few words.

Looking back now, I see how cruel and impulsive I had been. But back then, all I wanted was freedom. I never imagined I'd be sitting in the backseat of his car years later, soaked, humiliated and facing the one man I had broken.

Oscar glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his sharp, piercing gaze scanning me from head to toe. His dark hair was slicked back. His suit was expensive and tailored to perfection.

"Long time no see, Miss Gray," he said, his voice cool, edged with something darker. "You've really fallen on hard times, haven't you?"

I met his gaze in the mirror, trying to hold onto some shred of dignity. "Long time no see, Oscar." I crossed my arms over my chest, tilting my chin up. "If it weren't for the fact that these shoes are lambskin and can't get wet, I wouldn't have gotten into your car."

The corner of his mouth twitched, a small, amused smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He ran a hand over his forehead, brushing back an invisible strand of hair. "You knew it was raining, yet you still wore shoes that can't get wet. You haven't changed, still acting like a spoiled princess, just like five years ago."

Even though his words had a bite to them, there was something softer beneath the surface, a trace of the man who once doted on me. Without another word, he reached down and pulled out a pair of fluffy, brand-new slippers from under the seat.

I stared at the slippers, feeling a sudden wave of nostalgia wash over me. When we were together, I had a bad habit of wearing high heels on our dates, often until my feet were blistered and sore. Oscar, always thinking ahead, started keeping slippers in the car for me, so I could switch when my feet couldn't take it anymore. That small gesture, back then, had seemed like the ultimate act of love. I never thought he would still have them after all these years.

"Thanks," I muttered, slipping them on. They were warm, cozy—too familiar for comfort. I stared down at my feet, avoiding his gaze.

As we neared my villa, the silence between us grew heavier. The familiar streets blurred past, illuminated by the car's headlights. The storm showed no signs of letting up, the rain drumming against the windows, a backdrop to the unspoken tension filling the car. I pulled off the slippers just before we arrived and handed them back to him, my fingers trembling slightly from the cold.

"Thank you for the slippers, Mr. Morris, but I have a boyfriend now." The words came out harsher than I intended, more defensive, like I was trying to build a wall between us.

For a moment, he said nothing, his hands gripping the steering wheel as if steadying himself. The car slowed to a stop in front of my building and the rain softened, almost in sync with the pause in his response.

Finally, he exhaled, the smallest hint of a sigh escaping his lips before he answered. "Don't overthink it, Alycia. I just forgot to take the slippers out of the car. What do you think it means?" His voice was steady, but I caught the subtle tension behind it. As he spoke, his hand absently grazed the bridge of his nose—a telltale sign that he wasn't being entirely truthful.

I knew Oscar better than most. He always touched his nose when he lied, a habit he couldn't shake even after all these years. It was like a silent confession, a small crack in his otherwise perfect façade. And yet, I didn't call him out on it. I couldn't.

He glanced at me one last time before turning his gaze back to the road. "Take care of yourself, Alycia," he said, his voice softening for the first time that night. "Even if you've moved on… some things don't change."

I stepped out into the rain, the door clicking shut behind me. As I watched his car pull away, disappearing into the misty blur of the storm, a knot tightened in my chest. I wanted to believe I had moved on too, but tonight had shaken something loose, something I wasn't ready to face.

The rain was relentless and so were the memories.

The piercing sound of my phone ringing jolted me awake, the sunlight filtering through the curtains casting a soft glow across the room. I reached for my phone, blinking against the brightness as I scrolled through the endless stream of missed calls and messages. As expected, they were all from Kai.

Kai: [Alycia, I really didn't mean to not pick you up last night, I just couldn't get away... Your little puppy knows he was wrong, please forgive me. Sob, sob.]

The message was laced with his usual charm—an apology wrapped in endearing vulnerability, complete with the sad-face emojis. I could almost picture him on the other end of the phone, his wide puppy-dog eyes, probably nervously pacing his apartment, waiting for my response.

I sighed, typing my reply.

Me: [It's fine, I'm not mad at you. The car keys are on the table, just come and get them. Oh, and don't forget the Rolex and LV belt I got for you. They're on the dresser.]

Kai: [Love you so much. Mwah!]

I could almost hear the relief in his voice, imagining his face lighting up as he read my message. The joy, the easy charm—I had seen it all before. It was the kind of relief that came from knowing I would always forgive him, no matter what.

But the truth was, beneath my calm exterior, something inside me had started to shift. It wasn't the first time Kai had let me down and it probably wouldn't be the last. Yet, every time, I let it slide, offering him another chance like it was a natural reflex. I told myself I was in control—that I was the one holding all the cards. But this time, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. I was tired.

Later that afternoon, after a long and monotonous meeting, I realized I had some time to kill. Curiosity got the better of me and I found myself heading to the wedding venue Kai had mentioned, wondering how he'd look in the suit I had helped him pick out. Maybe I was just looking for reassurance—a reminder of why I kept forgiving him.

The wedding was already in full swing when I arrived. The venue was picturesque, filled with flowers and guests dressed in their best, their laughter mixing with the gentle hum of music. As I stood near the entrance, watching from the back, the groomsmen and bridesmaids were walking down the aisle in pairs, smiles plastered across their faces. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Kai. And then, I saw him.

There he was, standing on the stage, hand-in-hand with one of the bridesmaids. Their fingers were intertwined, their gazes locked in what could have easily been mistaken for a moment of genuine affection. For a second, everything around me froze. My heart sank and the air seemed to thin. What happened to the no physical contact rule?

Without waiting for the ceremony to end, I turned on my heel and walked out. The sound of my heels clicking against the marble floor echoed in the grand hall.

Kai must've sensed something was wrong because, not long after, he came rushing after me, his face flushed and his brow furrowed in concern. "Alycia, don't be mad," he pleaded, his voice taking on that familiar tone of desperation. "I don't even know her. It was just hand-holding, I swear. It didn't mean anything."

I stopped walking and turned to face him. My voice was calm, too calm, as I spoke. "Kai, it's not about the hand-holding. It's about whether you respect my feelings."

He blinked, clearly not expecting that response. His gaze wavered and I could see the wheels turning in his head, searching for the right words. But before I could continue, the emcee's voice boomed over the loudspeakers, calling for the groomsmen to return for the next wedding game.

Without a second thought, Kai shoved his phone into my hand and sprinted back toward the stage, his boyish grin already back in place. I stood there, holding his phone, my mind swirling with frustration and disbelief. He always knew how to make everything seem trivial, like it was no big deal. But this time, it wasn't so easy to brush off.

For some reason, my fingers hesitated over his phone. I had never been the type to snoop. I believed in trust, or at least, I used to. But something tugged at me, something deeper than curiosity—an instinct I couldn't ignore. So, I opened his messaging app.

A group chat with the groomsmen and bridesmaids lit up the screen, the notification counter ticking past 99 unread messages. I clicked into it, my eyes scanning the conversation and my stomach lurched.

Groomsman A: [Wow, your girlfriend's so overbearing, she doesn't cut you any slack!]

Bridesmaid A: [Yeah, seriously, why are you putting up with her? You're so good-looking and rich.]

Bridesmaid B: [It's 2024, who cares about hand-holding? Your girlfriend is way too petty.]

My chest tightened as I read their words, my blood turning cold. But what made my heart truly sink was Kai's reply at the bottom of the thread.

Kai: [I wish she were as understanding as you girls.]

A hollow laugh escaped my lips and the phone slipped from my hand, falling to the chair beside me. This was the man I had forgiven, time and time again—the one I had trusted, even when my gut told me otherwise.

I left the wedding without another word.

The next day, as expected, Kai sent a barrage of messages, all filled with heartfelt apologies and promises. But this time, he had gone to absurd lengths. Among the texts was a photo of a bouquet—a bouquet of roses, carefully folded from toilet paper.

Kai: [Alycia, to punish myself, I stayed up all night folding these 99 apology roses for you. Look, my hands are ruined from it. The flowers might be fake, but my love for you is real.]

The image of him standing downstairs flashed in my mind—Kai, cradling his ridiculous toilet paper roses, looking up at my window with that same sheepish grin, the sunlight glinting off his hair. He was always so earnest in his apologies, always so desperate to be forgiven.

And as I peered down from my room, watching him through the curtain, a part of me wanted to forgive him again. His handsome face, his pitiful expression—it was all too familiar. But the hurt from last night lingered and for once, I wasn't sure if I could just let it go.

But when I finally met his eyes, full of sincerity and regret, bathed in the soft morning light and dew, my heart wavered once more.

What else could I do but forgive him, once again?