Illusions of Family The Unexpected Rival

* "How could you, Derek?" * As I gripped the envelope tightly and the incriminating photos spilled onto the dining table between us, my voice faltered. I could taste the poison of his name on my mouth.

Derek's face furrowed in pretend bewilderment as he glanced up from his phone. He dared to pretend that he had no idea what this was about.

"Tracy, what is this?" His voice was too informal. I pushed my hand down, locking it under my palm as he went for one of the pictures. When I touched the glossy print, it wrinkled.

"Don't act foolish," I growled. I was certain that he could hear my heart beating so loudly. "Describe these."

It was deafeningly quiet between us. Leaning on the chair as if he had nothing to conceal, he drew his hand back. The type of half-smile that used to enchant me twisted his lips. All it did now was make my stomach turn.

"I'm not sure what you believe you saw-"

"What I *believe* I saw" My giggle cut through the tension like a knife. I didn't see you with her, then? Derek, at the hotel? Due to the fact that this- I poked fun at the photos, one of him with his arm wrapped around an unfamiliar lady, another of them together, their lips mashed together-"this doesn't lie!"

At last, he stood taller than me. Something colder replaced his laid-back manner. Didn't you go through my belongings? How did you get these?

My throat constricted as I took a step back. "That's your justification? Just accusing me-not denying, not regretting?

"Tracy, you're acting paranoid." His voice was measured and calm now as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. She is merely a friend. I've been assisting someone with their business.

"Business?" I hated it when my voice faltered. He had shaken me so much that I didn't want him to see it. "You call that skulking around behind my back? Giving her a kiss?

Derek let out a sigh and squeezed the bridge of his nose as if *I* were the issue. "You're exaggerating the situation."

I gazed at him, trying to see any sign of the guy I had fallen for. The guy who made me a lifelong pledge. However, all I saw was a stranger posing like Derek-someone I didn't know.

"Why?" My voice was a whisper now, barely audible. "Why would you do this to me? To us?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he moved to the window, pulling the curtain aside and looking out as if the answers were written in the city skyline. "You don't understand, Tracy. Things between us...they've changed."

"Changed?" The word seemed strange in my tongue. "How? Derek, our wedding was scheduled for three months from now. We were planning. A future.

His eyes were chilly when he turned to me. "Maybe that's the problem. You're constantly planning, always thinking about the future. You never pause to think about the present. About me."

The oxygen fled my lungs as his words impacted me like a slap to the belly. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're blaming me? For your infidelity?

His expression was unreadable as he shrugged. "I'm just stating that things are more complicated than they seem. Relationships are difficult.

My nails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists. Derek, you don't get to change the story. You told a lie. I was betrayed by you. It's cruel; it's not complicated.

The space felt cramped and claustrophobic. Even though I wanted to lash out, cry, and scream, I refused to give him the satisfaction. Rather, I squared my shoulders and made myself stand erect despite my broken heart.

"This is finished." Now my voice was firmer, more steady. "We're done."

For a second, I thought I saw a spark of remorse in his eyes, but it was gone as fast as it emerged. "You're being dramatic, Tracy. We can work through this."

"No." I shook my head, retreating toward the door. "You made your choice, Derek. Now I'm building mine."