Page 79 of The Billionaire's Betrayal
"Damn, you got me!"
"So, little secret-keeper!You're back together?I knew it!"
"It's not what you think," she protested, cheeks pinking.
"Oh yes it is, and you're going to tell me everything."
She gave in, telling me about their chance meeting at a party and how, naturally, they had found each other again.
"How long has it been going on?"
"Since September."
"So he was your mysterious lover!"
"Yes, but keep it to yourself.We prefer to take it slow this time, especially after our first breakup."
"I understand."
She hesitated for a moment, her face tinting with worry.
"And you two?Where do you stand, you and Tristan?"
Wrapped in a warm blanket on the couch, I told her about our date the previous evening.
"I believe he's sincere when he says he didn't sleep with Audrey and that he loves me.He promised that if I gave him another chance, he would always make me his priority and wouldn't make the same mistake again.I...I want us to try again," I added softly."Plus, there's also the baby..."
"You're having a baby?!That's fantastic!I'm so happy for you," she exclaimed.
My phone vibrated in the back pocket of my jeans.A notification from Tristan.Without suspicion, I unlocked the screen.
A photo appeared, brutal: Audrey, naked, nestled in a man's arms.His face remained out of frame, but that body, I knew it by heart.Tristan...
A violent pain exploded in my chest, cutting my breath.My hands trembled so hard that the phone slipped and fell to the floor.I was devastated.Tears slid down my cheeks without my being able to hold them back.Why?Why was he doing this to me after all the promises he had just made?Just as I was beginning to open my heart to him again?
Panicked, Leila picked up the phone and cursed when she discovered the photo.Without a word, she drew me into her arms, holding me firmly against her as I sank into a second state.I was beyond tears, emptied of all emotion, as if anesthetized by pain.Leila remained there, silent, gently rocking me until exhaustion took over.
I woke early in the morning, still cuddled against Leila.We had ended up falling asleep on the couch.
"How are you feeling?"she asked gently.
"I'm okay..."I lied.
Leila took a breath before launching:
"Listen, I've been thinking a lot.None of this makes sense!Why would he do this?He's been fighting for days to get you back."
"You saw the photo," I protested weakly.
"Yes, but that's weird too.Why would he send you a photo?Even if he cheated on you, he would never be stupid or cruel enough to do that.From what I remember, you can't see his eyes, and the arm he has around her looks completely limp.She's the one embracing him, not the other way around."
I unlocked my phone and tried to look at the photo more objectively.
"They're in our home, on our couch," I said, my voice trembling.
"He definitely owes you explanations, but don't condemn him before you talk to him."
"You think it's a photoshop or a staged scene?"
