Chapter 3

The anonymous Instagram account was relentless.

More pictures. Victoria and Liam at a gallery opening she' d said was a "boring networking event" with Jess. Jess, her socialite PR friend, always flitting between men, probably knew all about this.

A short video clip: Victoria and Liam, kissing deeply in what looked like his apartment.

I felt a cold rage build.

That evening, Victoria announced, "Jess is having a small get-together at her place. You should come, Ethan. It' ll be fun."

I knew Liam would be there. Jess probably arranged it.

"Sure," I said, my voice flat. "Why not."

When we arrived, Jess greeted us with air kisses. Her apartment was crowded, noisy.

And there was Liam, by the bar, already holding a drink for Victoria.

She went to him, a bright, false smile plastered on her face. "Ethan, you remember Liam."

"Hard to forget," I said.

Liam smirked. "Good to see you, Ethan."

Victoria took the drink, her fingers brushing his.

I watched them. They were careful, but the undercurrent was there. A shared glance, a slight lean towards each other.

In the kitchen, I found a condom wrapper in the trash, half-hidden under a pizza box. A brand I didn' t use. Victoria had borrowed Jess' s car last week, she' d said. A flimsy excuse forming in my mind before I even asked.

I walked back into the living room. Liam was talking animatedly to some woman. Victoria watched him, a flicker of something – annoyance? – in her eyes.

Then she saw me looking. She immediately turned, grabbed my arm, and pulled me close, kissing my cheek loudly. "Having fun, darling?"

A public display. For whose benefit? Liam' s?

Liam glanced over, his jaw tight. He turned back to the woman, his laughter a little too loud.

Jess materialized beside me. "Everything okay, Ethan? You look a bit... stressed."

"Just tired, Jess," I said.

Not long after, Victoria yawned. "I'm beat. Think I'm going to head home, Ethan."

She didn't wait for me. She said goodbye to Jess, a quick wave to Liam, and was gone.

I stayed for another hour, making small talk.

When I finally said my goodbyes, I told Jess, "Tell Vicky I'll be home late. Decided to catch up with an old friend."

Jess looked surprised, then nodded. "Will do."

I knew Victoria wouldn't care.