A Deal With The Cold Beast

Irene

 In the residential neighborhood of West Brunswick, it was ten o'clock at night when I opened the door and stepped into the house. Everything was pitch-black. I pressed the switch, and the crystal chandelier lit up, its light reflected on the large bay windows, casting my shadow onto the floor.

 Tomorrow, this house would become my marital home.

 My fiancé, Perry Bart-department director, handsome, always attentive. I was so lucky to have met such a man in my life. According to tradition, we weren't supposed to see each other the day before the wedding, so Perry was staying here while I stayed at my best friend Liliana's home.

 Right before going to bed, I had checked the things I needed for the next day and realized I had forgotten my wedding veil. So I slipped quietly into the house without calling Perry first, just to surprise him. Thinking that after tomorrow Perry and I would live happily together forever, I was all smiles. I put on my slippers and walked toward the living room.

 As I walked, I heard a woman's moans of pleasure. I froze in shock. The master bedroom door was slightly ajar, and those sounds... were coming from there. Suddenly, a furious fire erupted inside me, and my legs went numb. Yet I still walked toward the door, almost involuntarily. Standing in front of it, I could clearly hear the cries of pleasure inside; they grew clearer and louder, and with each sound, my heart tightened painfully. The door wasn't even closed. I pushed it lightly, and it swung open without resistance. I saw a woman's high heels, underwear, and stockings scattered on the floor. It was impossible not to imagine what was happening.

 Forcing down my anger and panic, I looked toward the bed. One glance, and heartbreak nearly suffocated me.

 My dear cousin was straddling a man in ecstasy.

 And the man beneath her was my fiancé Perry, who was supposed to marry me tomorrow.

 Courtney threw me a glance from the doorway, a hint of provocation in her eyes, and her moans grew even louder. My vision blurred; even breathing hurt with heartbreak. My fiancé was passionately giving himself to another woman-someone who wasn't me. Rage and humiliation hit me like a slap. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to run in and stop them.

 Courtney: "Baby, you're marrying Irene tomorrow and you're still sleeping with me-don't you feel guilty?"

 Perry: "Why? Guilty about what? We do this all the time. Besides, she'll never know."

 Perry's deep voice floated through the room as his hands wandered over Courtney's body.

 Courtney: "And what if she comes and sees us making love? What would you do then? She'd call off the wedding, wouldn't she?"

 Courtney looked at me provocatively again, an arrogant smirk on her lips.

 Perry: "She won't come. And even if she finds out, so what? Forget the wedding. I never planned to get married this early anyway-she forced me into it."

 He smiled carelessly and continued sleeping with Courtney.

 Courtney: "If you don't want to get married, then why keep pretending? After tomorrow, you'll never see me again."

 Perry: "Stop... don't talk like that, please."

 Courtney: "Baby... your fiancée is really here."

 Courtney lifted herself off Perry's chest and pointed at the door.

 Perry: "How is that possible? I just sent her away, why-"

 He turned toward the door mid-sentence.

 Me: "What are you doing here?"

 The moment he saw me, he froze. Panic filled his eyes as he scrambled away from Courtney. His desire instantly evaporated; he didn't even have time to cover his naked body. Courtney wrapped herself in the blanket and stared at me calmly, an ironic smile tugging at her lips.

 My tears burst out uncontrollably. Anger and hatred surged through me. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but all I could do was turn my back and walk away. The truth was crushing me.

 With a bath towel around his waist, Perry rushed after me with a guilty expression.

 Perry: "Irene, listen to me..."

 Me: "What is there to explain? I saw everything with my own eyes. What else is there to say?"

 Heartbreak choked me, but a tiny part of me still hoped his explanation might offer something-anything.

 Courtney had slipped into Perry's shirt. Her wavy hair was messy over her shoulders, making her look even more seductive. She walked toward me with that provocative look in her eyes.

 Courtney: "We've been together for three years, you know."

 I turned toward Perry, but he lowered his gaze. I couldn't believe it.

 For seven years, I had loved him. I had trusted both of them-my fiancé and my cousin-and yet they had been together behind my back.

 Me: "You bitch!"

 Smack! I couldn't hold back anymore and slapped Courtney fiercely. The force numbed my own hand.

 Perry: "Courtney!" he shouted, full of concern for her. Courtney turned her face away dramatically, then threw herself into his chest, glaring at me with fury.

 "Courtney, are you okay? Does it hurt?" Perry asked anxiously, and the sight broke my heart even more. My fiancé, protecting the woman who ruined our relationship-how could I not feel hatred?

 Courtney: "Perry, it hurts... she hit me..."

 She clung to him pitifully, fake tears running down her cheeks. Seeing this made my anger explode again.