LAH'

lked down the bustling sidewalk,

s stares from people passing by, perhaps noticing my swollen eyes and tear-strea

zz from inside my bag, but I ignored it.

single blow. My life, my happiness, my sense of peace-all of

ng a fairytale. Although, in the last

unexpected disappearances... my instincts had

aranoid. I'd wanted so desperately to believe in Jackson, i

hurried into a nearby restaurant, scanning the tables

d pulled out my phone. Tyra's name flashed on the

ed, my voice bre

ling you for hours!" Tyra's voice was laced with worry,

as tears threatened to spill again. How could I exp

ntly, but I couldn't answer, so I nodde

d, though we both

you're not okay. Where are you

café we like," I replied,

n my way," she sai

dn't help but read it once more. He wanted to talk. Of cou

one and pushed it back into

t have to wait long. Not ten minutes later, she walked i

ng me into a hug the moment she

ut a bitter laugh. "Trust m

settling into the seat across

eep, shaki

le, Tyra. Jac.. Jackson has been lying

ed from surprise to

constantly had a bad feeling ab

ng of fresh tears as I expan

the table to squeeze my hand, her touch

eath, seeking to

't mine. I forced myself to believe that there had to be some c

sorry. And you by no means thought to inform m

being insecure. I didn't want to seem paranoid." The words t

uestion it! You already had e

re flowing

I loved him too much. I thought may

"Kelilah, love should never make you feel li

of water, trying

k he was... he was trying to have a baby with her." I choked on the las

, so he was planning a fam

d I was still holding onto some shred of

him the moment you saw those messages

didn't want to

and tightening. "So, what finally ma

called me Five days ago. She said she wanted to meet. I almost d

ened. "And? Did

odd

ter taste in my mouth. "I was so blind, Tyra. I convinced myself he was my future, my happily ever after. When I met with her,

e again. My whole world ha

" Tyra's voice was

that was presented to you. What now suddenly made you

I couldn't help the mirth l

Kelilah was the mistress flirting with a married man", I said in

es wen

he asked and I nodded weak

ther hug, her voice ch

are not to blame. He deceive

tears come, no lon

lent as Tyra's expression morphed

aid, pushing herself out of her seat. I

on

d do nothing, Kelilah." She

s, the deceit! He's married, and he's trying for a child! You were ju

glance around, suddenly all

eed the reminders." My v

he's done," she spat, once again rising from he

nd out," I lied, knowing it was the only thing th

im?" Her voice softened,

n, the weight of humi

e him. It feels like everyone knows and is sil

self. It's not your fault. He'

t of scandal haunted me. People here would label me as the one

t... I just don't

l him, confront

ot that

simple as it gets. He lied. Yo

whole life was built around him. We were planning to get

in, her vo

uly loved you, he'd have left his wife by now. Instead, he's kept

I knew she

lure. They already knew about Jackson, and my mother had started referring to him as her "only

parents and explai

eeting, or at the very least,

ok my

just doesn't know it yet. W

arrived just as she ordered an Uber for me, s

Tyra's, but solitude was what I needed. Tyra offered to come along, but I refused. I need

let the tears fall, mingling with the water. By the time I finished, I felt a bit lighter. Wrapping myself in soft pajamas, I c

my mom, Tyra, Loveth, and Caleb. Two from unknown numbers, which I deleted

request to call her, and dialed her nu