The Kiss That Broke Up My Engagement

The night before our engagement, I received a photo of my boyfriend, Luther, embracing and kissing his childhood best friend. As I stared at the image, a bitter smile crossed my face. I sent him a breakup text and started packing my things.

Within ten minutes, my phone buzzed with a message from Luther.

"Chloe, what’s going on? We’re getting engaged tomorrow, and you want to end things now?"

I was about to respond when I heard laughter in the background.

"Luther, come on! You still owe Vienna ten more minutes of kissing!" someone called out.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!" he replied nonchalantly. Then his tone shifted to icy as he added, "Chloe, don’t waste your time. I’m busy right now, so stop bothering me."

And with that, the call ended abruptly—much like the breaking of my heart.

——

I had just finished packing and was on the verge of leaving when Luther’s car pulled up outside. He emerged with Vienna by his side, and as he stepped out, I walked out of the house, suitcase in hand.

His eyes immediately locked onto me, a steely gaze lingering on my suitcase. His expression remained icy, devoid of any warmth.

Vienna, sensing the tension, murmured softly, "Luther, maybe I should go. Chloe looks quite upset."

Without shifting his gaze from me, Luther's voice turned harsh. "Chloe, what’s the meaning of this? Tomorrow is our engagement, and now you’re throwing a fit?"

I met his gaze with cold determination. "Why not make Vienna your fiancée instead?" I replied icily. "You’ve clearly brought her here for a reason."

"Vienna just got back from an out of town and has nowhere else to stay. What’s wrong with her staying here for now?" Luther snapped, his eyes hard as steel. "How long are you going to keep acting like this?"

"I’m not acting out!" I shot back, meeting his glare with equal intensity. "You brought her home, and didn’t you just spend an eternity kissing her?"

Luther’s expression grew even colder. "Chloe, you’re making a big fuss over nothing. It was just a game. We lost, and the kiss was part of the punishment. Vienna and I really aren’t romantically involved!"

Vienna, looking distressed, spoke up from the side, "If I’m not welcome here, I’ll leave. But, I have no other place to go. Worst-case—"

"It’s fine, Vienna. You can stay at my place," Luther interrupted her dismissively, his tone lacking any trace of warmth. He then turned his sharp gaze back to me. "Chloe, Vienna has been my friend since childhood—she's like a sister to me. It’s only natural that she stays here until she gets back on her feet."

He pointed to the house with a commanding gesture, his voice filled with authority. "Go prepare a guest room for her, and bring your things back inside."

I met his icy stare and forced a bitter smile. "I’m not the lady of this house, nor will I ever be. If you and Vienna need the space, I’m more than happy to vacate."

Without another word, I brushed past him and walked out, the finality of my decision echoing in my steps.

"Chloe, think about what you’re doing!" Luther’s voice, laced with fury, rang out behind me, but I didn’t slow down or look back.

"Chloe, if you leave, what will you do?" he shouted, desperation creeping into his tone.

Vienna’s voice, dripping with feigned remorse, interrupted from the side. "Luther, if my presence is causing a rift between you and Chloe, I’ll just go."

"Don’t concern yourself with her," Luther replied, his tone as cold as the winter wind. "She’s merely putting on a show. She’ll be back by tomorrow."

I threw one last glance over my shoulder at Luther, and in that fleeting moment, I saw him for what he truly was—a man consumed by his own deceit.