This whole thing felt like a ridiculously bad pantomime as I stared at the scowl that twisted Alaric's face.

"I'm tired."

Having said this, I turned to grab the suitcase I'd set down not long ago, then headed for the door without so much as a backward glance.

I felt a rough tug on my wrist just as Alaric demanded in a raised, impatient voice, "What's with the tantrum? You've been in a foul mood since you got back and have been lashing out at us for no apparent reason.

"When have you become so unreasonable, Elena?"

I pulled my hand back roughly, the rage I'd been actively suppressing earlier cresting tempestuously in my chest.

"You're the one being unreasonable, Alaric! You texted me and told me you missed me, so I put in overtime to shorten my five-day work trip to three days. I hauled ass back here overnight just to see you, but what have you done?

"Have you asked how I was doing since I opened the door? Do you even remember today is our fifth anniversary?"

The accusations tumbled out in a roar, and my eyes turned dry and prickly.

Alaric had a blank, baffled expression. It was clear he didn't remember our anniversary today.

A self-deprecating laugh escaped me. "If you don't remember our anniversary, what was the surprise you prepared for me earlier?"

He faltered, but couldn't find an answer.

I turned my gaze away from him and spun on my heels to leave. Why should I pester him for an explanation when I already knew the answer to my question?

The door fell shut with a heavy thud behind me, cutting me off from all the noise outside. A deafening silence replaced the cacophony just as my heart slowly sank.

Alaric didn't bother coming after me, either.

I stood on the cold staircase landing, a bone-deep chill seeping through my skin and into the air around me.

…

I stayed up like a statue in the hotel room all night. It wasn't until the first light broke that I realized I'd dug my nails into my palms so hard, I'd left deep, bloody crescents in my flesh.

Grabbing my phone, I scrolled through my conversation with Alaric.

Three years ago, I'd taken out all my savings and scraped together enough money to sponsor his studies and living expenses in an art college in Franston.

He'd clung to me and cried his eyes out. "We'll get married as soon as I return from Franston, Elena! I'm not marrying anyone else but you in this lifetime!"

I'd believed him.

I worked three jobs a day so he wouldn't have to worry about money during his time abroad. I took on one project after another, stretching myself so thin that I ended up in the hospital for stomach bleeding.

When I called him, he'd simply told me he was down with a cold.

He sounded as if he was in a rush on the other line, and I thought I heard Tracy's voice in the background as she whined, "Come on, Alaric! The movie's about to start!"

Alaric had hung up after that and promised to call me later that night.

I waited the entire night, my phone screen lighting up and dimming. I never got his call.

And yet, I saw his picture with Tracy on social media. They were tucked close underneath the Effelle Tower, grinning into the camera. Her caption had been: "The best friends are the ones who explore the world with you."

As it turned out, Tracy had gone to Franston, too. Alaric never told me that.

I comforted myself. I shouldn't be so petty and selfish. After all, Alaric and Tracy had grown up together. They were like brother and sister.

But now, I replayed the details I'd intentionally overlooked in my head.

Alaric and I had set up a design studio after his return from Franston. I'd procured our biggest client and a huge project that could help our studio shoot to fame.

On the night we celebrated our studio's success, I'd had too much to drink. I wanted Alaric to pick me up, but my countless phone calls went unanswered. In the end, it was my co-worker who'd dropped me off at home.

The next day, Alaric explained with red-rimmed eyes that a break-up had left Tracy devastated. She'd drunk herself stupid at a bar, and he'd stayed with her the entire night.

"I'm all she's got, Elena. I can't just abandon her."

I felt sorry for Alaric and forgave him. But I'd forgotten to ask why he had to stay with her for an entire night just because she'd broken up, and why his phone had been switched off.

I closed my eyes, feeling them swell with a prickly, sore sensation.

A moment later, I slowly opened my eyes and made a call. "Hey, Leslie. I need a favor."

Leslie Thompson was my roommate back in college and now worked as a private investigator.

"I need you to look into a person named Tracy Sanderson. I also want records of her and Alaric's activities in Franston three years ago.

"The more detailed the records, the better, especially… medical records in local hospitals in Franston. I'd like to know if Tracy had an abortion."

When I hung up, I looked out the window at the blazing sun, my heart as cold as ice.

I'd given Alaric countless chances.

It was only fair that we settled the scores between us if whatever was happening between him and Tracy was real.

My phone vibrated with a message from Alaric. I clicked on it to find a series of voice notes. I tapped on each one, only to hear his breaking voice playing through the phone.

"Where are you, Elena? I'm worried sick about you."

"I was wrong for treating you the way I did last night, but that was my favorite ornament. How could you have smashed it on a whim?"

"Whatever we said last night was all part of the game. Why won't you believe me? That joke shouldn't even leave a mark on our years-long relationship!"

It was hilarious how he thought my lack of trust in him was the problem and not his relationship with Tracy.

I replied expressionlessly, "Do you honestly not know what's wrong between us, Alaric? Stop playing dumb. You suck at pretending."

No sooner had I sent the message than Alaric called me. "Come on, Elena, don't say that. I'm truly sorry."

He sounded like he was on the verge of tears, the plea in his voice amplified by a sense of urgency. "Stop being angry, okay?"

Just then, I heard very soft panting coming from the other line. My fingers stiffened around my phone as I demanded instinctively, "What's happening on your end?"

"N-Nothing." His voice wavered. Before he could finish speaking, a whimper that couldn't be repressed came through.

An intense roaring filled my head.

I could practically imagine the scene: he was apologizing to me while tussling with another woman.

My fingertips turned white from clutching my phone too hard. The scene in my head made me want to retch.

I asked calmly, "Is Tracy there with you?"

I could sense Alaric's panic through the phone. Tracy's singsong voice rang out the next second.

"Hey, Elena, don't get the wrong idea. I'm just working out with Alaric, that's all." She continued shamelessly, "I mean, you're always so busy with work, you hardly spend time with him. As his pal, it's kind of my job to blow off steam with him, you know?"

There was a crisp shattering, like the sound of a glass breaking as it hit the floor. This was followed by Tracy's protesting whine, "Alaric! Take it slow…"

She giggled in satisfaction on the other line.

"Elena, the trainer's here! I… I'll talk to you later, okay? Bye!" Alaric said urgently, then hung up without another word.

I listened to the rhythmic beeping on the phone and felt my heart hollow out for the first time.

I sat dumbly on the bed, my tears falling uncontrollably.

I had no idea how much time had passed before Leslie called and said somberly, "Elena, I have results. You might want to sit down for this."

My heart sank, and I gripped my phone so tightly that my fingers turned white.

Leslie said, "Tracy has, indeed, undergone an abortion at a private hospital in Franston three years ago. The emergency contact listed on her surgery consent form was Alaric Lovell.

"I also found a bank transaction record dated a day before her abortion, when you wired five thousand dollars to Alaric's account for… per the transfer details… 'family emergency.'"

I saw black spots in my vision, and an intense roaring filled my ears.

I remembered now.

Alaric had called me that day, sobbing on the phone as he told me his mother had had a heart attack and needed money for surgery. I'd been so anxious that I borrowed money from whoever I could and transferred it to him at the first instance.

As it turned out, the family emergency in question had been to abort his and Tracy's baby, and I had been the empathetic, generous benefactor for their cause.

Leslie went on, "I also dug up some other stuff. I've compiled them into a folder and emailed you. Elena, are you… okay?"

I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitter, rancid taste in my throat. "I'm fine, Leslie. Thanks."

After hanging up, I clicked on my email inbox with a trembling hand. With every picture I swiped, my heart bled like it'd been drawn and quartered.

I saw shots of Alaric and Tracy kissing with the Taniere Museum behind them, embracing along the Aster, and beaming sweetly in a lavender field in Prowance.

In one of the pictures, Alaric was even hugging Tracy from behind, his hands overlapping hers on her lower stomach. The caption then had been: "In memory of the angel we lost. We'll keep you safe next time."

The picture had been posted three days after her abortion.

I'd been in a social gathering that day, drinking until my stomach bled, all so I could buy Alaric the art materials he'd been talking about.

How pathetic!

Resisting the urge to smash my computer, I compiled and encrypted all the evidence.

Alaric finally called me the next day.

Sounding eager to please, he asked, "Are you still mad at me, Elena? It's Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow. We said we'd go back and celebrate with them, remember?

"They've missed you and won't stop talking about you. I… I miss you, too. Please come back. Let's make up."

I remembered his parents' wedding anniversary, of course.

In preparation for the big day, I'd even prepared a present to Alaric's parents.

"Will Tracy be going as well?" I asked.

There was a beat of silence on the other line, then Alaric answered slowly, "Well, my parents did watch her grow up… She's like a daughter to them, and it's a must for her to attend such an important celebration.

"Don't think too much of it, Elena. It's just a family get-together."

I closed my eyes, the last warm sentiment in my heart vanishing like smoke. I asked coolly, "What time's the celebration tomorrow? I'll head over directly."

Alaric heaved a sigh of relief, and his tone lightened up. "It's 12 noon at the Allegra tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you!"

An icy smirk tugged on the corner of my mouth when I hung up.

On the day of the party, I arrived at the Allegra half an hour early. I didn't go straight to the lounge and instead went to see the restaurant manager.

The manager went by Gerald Kinsley. He was a distant uncle of mine.

When he saw me, he met me halfway and greeted me warmly, "Elena! What a rare sight! What brings you here today?"

I chuckled and fished out an envelope from my purse. Handing it to him, I said, "Uncle Gerald, I've got a small favor to ask of you."

Gerald opened the envelope and peered at its contents. There was a slight shift in his expression before he quietly and subtly pocketed the envelope. Clapping a hand on my shoulder, he reassured me, "Don't worry. You can count on me. It's no big deal."

"Thanks, Uncle Gerald," I replied.

"Don't mention it." He lowered his voice. "I've set up and programmed the projector and sound system in the lounge for you. I guarantee that the effects will be top-notch!"

I nodded, feeling my heart settle.

At 12 noon, I pushed open the door of the lounge.

Tracy was seated beside Alaric's parents, Alicia and Morgan Lovell. The couple laughed as they listened to her jokes, which she delivered quite animatedly.

Upon seeing me, Alaric stood up, making to link arms with me like we were close. "Elena, here you are! Come sit!"

I dodged him and made a beeline for Alicia and Morgan. I handed them the gift box I'd been carrying. "Mr. and Mrs. Lovell, happy 50th anniversary. May the both of you always be in good health."

"Why, hello, Elena! Come, sit with us!" Alicia enthusiastically pulled me over, grinning. "Oh, child, you didn't have to bring us a present! Just having you here is enough. You're far too polite."

Off to Alicia's side, Tracy interjected sarcastically, "Yes, Elena has always been big on manners. I never did care about such formalities. After all, I grew up with Alicia and Morgan and see them as family."

Alaric's relatives chimed in agreement, "Yes, Tracy has always been a charming, obliging young lady. She's the daughter Alicia and Morgan never had!"

A proud smile worked its way onto Alaric's face. He had a hand on Tracy's shoulder as he took his seat.

With natural ease, he gave her a helping of the food on the table. "Eat up, chatterbox. This is oxtail stew, your favorite."

Tracy pinched his face playfully. "Trust my best friend to know me inside out!"

Their intimate, affectionate display hurt my eyes.

Several rounds of drinks later, the atmosphere lightened up, and everybody was having a good time.

I stood up and raised my glass.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lovell, dear friends and family, in honor of today's celebration, I've prepared a special gift for the golden couple. I'd also like to share it with all of you!"

Everyone's gaze fell on me, their curiosity plainly written on their faces.

Alaric and Tracy exchanged a brief look, confusion flashing in their eyes.

I walked over to the projector by the wall and hit play.

One picture after another appeared on the screen, all intimate shots of Alaric and Tracy. Among the pictures were the shot of them commemorating the loss of their "angel" and the abortion slip with Alaric's signature and name.

The sound of frenzied discussion filled the lounge. Alicia's and Morgan's smiles faltered.

I cut a look at Alaric and smiled. "You said your first time was with Tracy, Alaric. She even had a kid with you. Now, with your beloved parents, friends, and family as witnesses, would you mind telling me again where the kid in question is?"