ent -maybe he'd come back early to surprise her too. But then, why didn't he text? Maybe his phone was

o hard to set up were scattered across the floor, some of them crushed and torn apart. The fairy lights she had painstakingly worked so

masterpiece adorned with delicate sugar roses-was smashed to pieces on the

illie that left her utterly stunned. The pict

r her. "Millie..." She stepped over the petals and ca

her heart pounded in her chest. She knew those sounds, those voices,

he reached for the door

ld, sha

est friend, oblivious to Carmen's horrified gaze. They were so

ly a whisper, filled with pain and disbelief, yet

rtled, their expressions freezing a

lain." Cody stammered

smirk tugging at her lips as she pulled herself

ttering into pieces as she absorbed the sight before her

hed the door frame to steady herself. Her legs felt weak, and her che

rom work so early, but he remained silent. Millie, however, rolled her eyes unfazed. She knew Carmen would

hrugging as if the whole scene was an inconveni

veins as she looked at Millie. "You were my friend. My best fri

"Yeah, well, some things are just worth

urning through her veins as she looked at M

"Yeah, well, some things are just worth

rmen snapped, her voice cracking like a whip. She pointe

er lips tightened into a thi

Cody Wade. The man everyone admires. The perfect husband." She spat the words like poi

, unable to meet her gaze. Every moment they'd spent together flashed through her mind-their dates, their marr

y mumbled "Please just calm

y. I'll be calm when everyone knows the truth about the two of

ted recording, her hands steady despite the whirlw

dy said, his voice

ripping with desperation. "Carmen!

hone slipping from her grasp and skidding across the floor. The two women struggled, Millie clawing at C

ud

d back and fel

snatched up her phone

is voice echoing through

she'd taken a cab to the office earlier. Her only chance was to make it to the main road and flag an

the sound of footsteps

ed, his voice closer

ating, their headlights blinding her as she stared ahead. Carmen hesitated, the traffic light hadn't stopped green. It wasn't safe to

rward, trying to find an opening to dash across, when

rce. Carmen stumbled onto the road, her body hitting the gro

dge of the road, their presence shrouded by darkness. Cody looked horrif

stammered, panic etched across her face. "I was trying to

ny move to help her. Still, she stretched out her hand toward them, her voice weak, tears falling down h

he muttered, his voice barely audible over the noi

tears streaming down her fac

ed hand and pressed down, forcing her back onto the road. Carmen screamed in pai

dy,