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."
