Five years of memories collapsed quietly inside my chest as I stared at the glowing screen, remembering the holidays and grocery lists and Sunday mornings we had built together while realizing that every small moment I once dismissed had actually been warning signs I never wanted to see.
The apartment door opened behind me and Colin walked into the kitchen carrying grocery bags with a proud grin, saying cheerfully, “Audrey you will not believe the deal I found on those champagne bottles,” but the moment he noticed the phone in my hand and the expression on my face his smile vanished like someone had switched off a light.
I turned the screen toward him and asked quietly, “Were you with Allison last night,” and the silence that followed answered the question before his lips even tried to form a defense.
He stepped forward with shaking hands and said quickly, “It meant nothing Audrey, it was a stupid moment and I had too much to drink,” yet his voice carried more panic about consequences than regret about betrayal.