Chapter 2
I smiled and waved Brandon goodbye.
But the moment I turned my back and stepped out of the car, my heart sank like a stone.
The sun blazed and the sky glowed warm, yet inside, I felt plunged into winter’s icy depths.
The man I’d loved for over a decade, the one I’d planned my future with, was cheating on me–and had been for months, while I remained clueless.
After wrapping up work, I asked for a half day off, grabbed a cab, and headed straight to Carter & Associates–Brandon’s firm.
But I wasn’t going there to see him.
I was going to find his car.
Using the spare key, I unlocked the door and pulled up the dashcam footage.
It had all been wiped clean.
Except for one file–this morning’s.
The clip showed Brandon dropping me off, then answering a call.
A voice came through the speakers, casual and unmistakable.
Ethan Blackwell. His oldest friend–and the one person who always knew a little too much.
“You and
your girl have a fight?”
“What happened?”
“She couldn’t reach you, so she called me.
Brandon’s tone was flat. “I told her not to bother Rachel. This morning when I dropped Rachel off, she deliberately showed up in front of us.”
Ethan sounded half amused, half annoyed.
“Dude, what are you thinking? If you’re so afraid Rachel will find out, why the hell did you move your side piece into the unit upstairs?”
Brandon was quiet for a beat. Then he said softly, “Rachel hurt her leg a while back. She needed someone around.”
“I didn’t trust anyone else to take care of her.
Ethan sighed.
“You know what she’s been through with her parents. You know. And still, you–forget it. Do what you want. Just be careful.”
“I will. I’ve got it under control.”
Later that evening, I called Brandon and told him I was staying over at Jamie’s.
He insisted on picking me up. I told him no.
There was a hint of subtle hurt in his voice–barely there, but I caught it.
“why?”
“Doesn’t my baby need me anymore?”
“I just drop you off, babe. I won’t linger.
“I already made plans. Jamie’s on her way.”
“Then come back early, okay? I can’t sleep without you.”
The ache in my chest twisted tighter. I swallowed it down and told him I would.
Earlier, when I left his car, I had slid a voice recorder under the passenger seat.
At midnight, Brandon’s car rolled into the Westhill Residences parking lot. The passenger door opened, and a girl stepped out.
She reached for his sleeve, her fingers brushing it gently, like she didn’t want to let go.
Then she looked up at him and whispered something I couldn’t hear.
Brandon pulled her into his arms like it was instinct.
They kissed beside the car, slow and unhurried, as if no one else existed.
Then he scooped her up in his arms….
at her
And carried
upstairs,
I stood frozen in the shadows, my lungs collapsing, my body forgetting how to breathe.
I opened the door to his car.
Everything inside was spotless. Not a single trace left behind.
Except for the recorder.
I pressed play.
Brandon’s voice came through first, calm and casual.
“I’ll pick you up outside campus. Be ready.”
Then the
car door opened. The girl climbed in
“What do you wanna eat?” he asked.
Her voice dripped with syrupy sweetness. “I wanna you first, Bran.‘
“I’m driving. Don’t start.”
“Bran
I wore the lingerie you bought me. Look–do you like it?”
“Yeah. You look good.”
“Liar. You didn’t even look
Brandon sighed, tired. “I’m driving”
“Then pull over somewhere. I missed you all day. You won’t even look at me.”
He didn’t respond.
Moments later, the car stopped,
Click
The soft sound of his bell being unfastened.
Then the breathing started.
Heavy. Rapped Desperate.
Then her voice again–muffled, broken between gasps. “I’m sorry, Bran. I won’t show up in front of your wife again…”
“I’ll be good, okay? Please don’t ignore me anymore..
Brandon’s usually cool, composed voice had gone low and hoarse.
“Okay.”
