**Sara**
I thought back to our conversation earlier. The Europe trip suddenly felt less like a romantic gesture and more like a desperate attempt to keep me on the hook.
I sat on the couch, nursing my third glass of wine, when I heard the jingle of keys at the door. My stomach churned as Matt walked in, looking far too chipper for someone who'd just been dropping off "boring legal documents."
"Hey, babe! Miss me?" He grinned, tossing his keys on the side table.
I forced a smile. "Like a hole in the head."
Matt chuckled, oblivious to the sarcasm dripping from my voice. He flopped down next to me, eyeing my nearly empty glass. "Hitting the sauce pretty hard, aren't we?"
"Just unwinding after a long day of being stood up," I replied, taking another sip.
He at least had the decency to look sheepish. "I said I was sorry about that. But hey, I'm here now!"
"Mhm," I hummed, swirling the wine in my glass. "So, did you deliver those oh-so-important files to your friend?"
"Yep! It's all taken care of," he said, loosening his tie. "It was this crucial law file for a big client. I couldn't wait until Monday. You know how it is."
I nodded slowly, the alcohol emboldening me. "Sure do. Hey, can I ask you something?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Shoot."
"Did you ever have a crush on anyone before me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.
He laughed. "What, are we playing truth or dare now?"
I shrugged. "Just curious. We've been together for a while, but we've never really talked about past crushes or anything."
"Well, sure, I guess. There were a few girls in high school I thought were cute. But nothing serious."
I took another sip of wine, steeling myself. "Anyone in particular stand out? Maybe... a Victoria?"
Matt's head snapped up, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second before he schooled his features. "Victoria? Where'd you hear that name?"
"Oh, just from a friend," I said airily, watching him squirm. "Apparently, she went to your high school. Ring any bells?"
He cleared his throat. "Uh, yeah, I think I remember her. Blonde girl, right? We had a few classes together."
"Mhm," I nodded, leaning forward. "And you two never... hung out after graduation?"
His laugh was a little too forced. "What? No way. We were just classmates. I haven't seen her since high school."
I set my wine glass down, fixing him with a steady gaze. "That's funny because I could've sworn I saw a picture of you two at a party last week. Must've been my imagination, right?"
The color drained from his face. "I can explain-"
"Oh, please do," I interrupted, my voice dripping with faux sweetness. "I'm dying to hear how you haven't seen Victoria since high school, yet somehow ended up with your tongue down her throat at a frat party."
His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "I... It's not what you think-"
"Really? Because I think you've been lying to me for God knows how long, sneaking around with your high school sweetheart while stringing me along with promises of European vacations and a future together."
He reached for my hand, but I yanked it away. "Sara, please. Victoria doesn't mean anything to me. It was just a stupid mistake-"
I stood up, my legs wobbling slightly from the wine. "A mistake? Is that what you call dating someone behind your girlfriend's back? Because from where I'm standing, it looks a lot like cheating."
He scrambled to his feet. "It's not like that! I love you. Victoria and I just... we have history, you know? But it's over now, I swear."
I laughed bitterly. "Oh, it's over, alright. We're over. I can't believe I wasted so much time on someone who clearly doesn't respect me or our relationship."
"Don't say that," he pleaded, reaching for me again. "We can work this out. I'll do anything to make it right."
I stepped back, putting the coffee table between us. "Anything? How about telling me the truth for once? How long has this been going on?"
"A few months," he mumbled.
"A few months," I repeated, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "And all those times you had to leave early or cancel plans...?"
He nodded miserably. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen."
"Oh, I'm sure you didn't," I spat. "You just accidentally fell into Victoria's bed, right? Tripped and landed with your lips on hers?"
He winced. "It's not like that. We have a connection-"
"Save it," I cut him off. "I don't want to hear about your 'connection' or your history or any other bullshit excuses. I want you out of my apartment. Now."
"Sweetie pie, please," he cooed, reaching for me again. "Let's not do anything rash. We can work this out, can't we, sugar plum?"
I recoiled from his touch. "Are you kidding me? Don't 'sweetie pie' me, Matt. And 'sugar plum'? Really? What am I, a dessert menu?"
He tried again, his voice dripping with honey. "Come on, pumpkin. You know I love you."
"Oh, stuff it," I snapped. "Why don't you take your saccharine pet names and head to your mansion? Or better yet, Victoria's place. I'm sure she'd love to hear about how you're her 'snookums' or whatever nauseating nickname you've cooked up for her."
Matt's face fell. "Sara, that's not fair. Victoria and I-"
"Save it," I cut him off. "In fact, here. Let me refresh your memory."
I thrust my phone in his face, playing the video Claire had sent. His eyes widened as he watched himself locked in a passionate kiss with Victoria.
"I thought these might have been old," I said, trembling angrily. "But you just confirmed they're recent. So tell me, how exactly do you explain this away?"
He stammered, "I... I didn't... It's not what it looks like."
I laughed bitterly. "Oh, really? Because it looks an awful lot like you shoving your tongue down Victoria's throat. Unless you were giving her CPR at a costume party where you both dressed as each other?"
"Okay, fine. It happened. But it didn't mean anything, I swear!"
"Wow, that makes me feel so much better. It's not like trust and fidelity are important in a relationship or anything."
"Please, Sara," he begged. "Give me another chance. I'll do anything."
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "You want to do something for me, Matt? Leave. Now. Get out of my apartment and don't come back."
"But-"
"No buts," I interrupted. "I'm done. We're done. Go live your best life with Victoria or whoever else you've been lying to me about. I'm sure you two will be happy together in your mansion, sipping champagne and laughing about how you fooled poor, naive Sara."
Matt's eyes welled up with tears. "You don't mean that. We have something special. You can't just throw it all away."
"I'm not the one who threw it away. You did that all on your own."
"Please, try to understand. It was a mistake. I never meant to hurt you."
I felt a twinge of pity but quickly squashed it. "Understanding would require you to have done something understandable. Cheating isn't a 'mistake.' It's a choice. One you made repeatedly, apparently."
His shoulders sagged in defeat. He looked around the apartment, his gaze lingering on the photos of us together. "What about all our memories? Our plans?"
"I guess they'll make great stories for your next girlfriend," I said coldly. "Now, please leave. I have a date with a pint of ice cream and a rom-com where the guy respects his partner."
With one last pleading look, Matt finally turned and walked out the door. As it clicked shut behind him, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
I collapsed onto the couch, my mind reeling from everything that had just happened. Part of me wanted to call him back to try and work things out. But I knew I deserved better than lies and betrayal.