Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Amelia’s thumb froze on the screen on a picture that looked oddly familiar.  She was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, when she came across the post. 

The picture showed a crowded party and a group of people stood together, laughing with drinks in their hands. And there, standing beside a woman in a red dress, was someone who looked a lot like her fiancé.

She sat up slowly. The picture was posted the night before and the woman who posted it had captioned it: Best night ever with the best people!

“No…” she murmured under her breath.

Maybe it just looked like him. He was at a business dinner last night. That’s what he told her.

She leaned closer to the screen. Same dark hair, same blue eyes, and the same navy blazer she’d helped him pick out just last week.

She swallowed hard, her chest suddenly feeling tight. She opened the profile and the woman was gorgeous. Long blonde hair, model figure and a confident smile. The kind of woman she had always secretly felt insecure standing next to.

She started scrolling through the rest of the photos. The next one showed Ryan and the woman standing closer together.

The next picture made her heart stop. Ryan was kissing the woman. She blinked twice, hoping the picture wasn’t real and she was only hallucinating. But she wasn’t. Ryan’s lips were pressed against the woman’s. His hand rested comfortably on her waist. 

Her first instinct was denial. Maybe it was old, or even edited. Then, her eyes dropped to the comment section.

Ryan Parker: Last night was unforgettable babe😉

That was it. The phone slipped from her trembling hand.

Three years.

Three years of loving him.

Three years of believing they were building a future together.

And this was how she found out? From a stranger’s Instagram post? She stood up so fast the couch cushion shifted.

“No.” Her voice shook.

She grabbed her purse and keys from the table. Maybe there was an explanation. There had to be.

Ryan’s apartment was only fifteen minutes away. The entire drive there felt longer than it was. Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white.

By the time she pulled into his apartment complex, anger had started replacing the shock. She stepped out of the car and slammed the door.

She reached the door, and shoved it open.

“Ryan–”

Her voice died instantly.

The living room was a mess. Shoes scattered everywhere. A jacket thrown across the couch.

Then she heard laughter from the bedroom. Her feet moved before her brain could catch up. She pushed the bedroom door open and froze.

Ryan was in bed with the same blonde woman from the pictures, the sheets barely covering them. They both jerked up in shock.

“Amelia?” Ryan choked out

“You…” Her voice trembled. “You have to be  kidding me.”

The woman beside him quickly pulled the sheets closer. Ryan sat up, running a hand through his messy hair.

“This isn’t what it looks like.”

Amelia let out a dry laugh.

“Oh really? Then tell me what it is.”

Ryan sighed, like she was the inconvenience.

“Look, Amelia… this was bound to happen eventually.”

“What?” 

Ryan swung his legs off the bed and stood up, completely unconcerned about the situation.

“We both know things haven’t been exciting between us for a while. ”

“And cheating on me was the best option?”

Ryan shrugged. “You’re being dramatic right now.”

“I’m being dramatic?” she repeated, her voice rising. “Ryan, you’re in bed with another woman!”

The blonde rolled her eyes from the bed and Ryan looked irritated now.

“Amelia look-“

“Save it.” Her hands shot up. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Tears burned in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall in front of him. Without another word, she turned and walked out. Ryan didn’t try to stop her.

The moment she stepped outside the building and got into her car, the tears finally spilled over. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her phone.

She scrolled to one name. Her best friend, Tessa.

Tessa’s cheerful voice came through the phone.

“Hey girl–”

“Tessa.” Amelia sobbed

“Whoa, what happened?” Tessa asked

“Ryan.. I caught him with someone else.” Amelia choked out.

“That bastard.” Tessa said through gritted teeth 

Amelia sniffed. “He said I was too controlling , and he only dated me because of our parents’ interference.”

There was a loud bang on Tessa’s end like she had slammed something.

“I swear to God, if I lay eyes on that man, I am going to destroy his face.”

“Listen to me,” She said. “I never liked him. You were way too good for him anyway.”

“I feel so stupid.” Amelia sobbed 

“You’re not stupid. You trusted someone who didn’t deserve it. He’s the stupid one for not realising how amazing you are. Believe me, it’s his loss.”

But Amelia couldn’t say a word as the tears kept flowing. 

“You know what, I’m finishing work in a couple hours. I’m coming over, we’re going out.” Tessa said

“Tessa, I’m not exactly in the mood to party.”

“That’s exactly why we’re going. You need a drink. I’m not letting you waste your pretty tears on that fool.” 

“Tessa, I–

“I won’t take no for an answer.” Tessa cut in 

Amelia sighed. “Fine.” She said eventually.

“Good.” Tessa replied. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

The call ended.

Amelia stared at the dark screen of her phone. Her engagement was over. Her future plans were gone. And somehow, tonight she was supposed to go party.