LOVE AFTER BETRAYAL

wall, clutching the crumpled invitation to my wedding like it was a lifeline, my heart racing in a mix of disbelief and rising

almost choked me as I pushed the door open to our hotel room. The plush carpet silence

There, splayed across the white sheets, was Alex-my fiancé-all t

world, and I was the piece of grit they did not need there. Emma's childlike giggles filled the air, contrasted by the cold silence wrapping itself

I didn't turn around. I couldn't. My feet moved on their ow

threatened to spill. How could he? How could they? The feeling of control deserted me, a mar

d me like a warm blanket. Yet, the familiar comfort was lost on me. Droppi

a deep voice that sounded like a

y voice shaking, almost foreign

ched the glass from him the minute he set it down, tossing it back in one swift motion. The

yes crinkling at the corners

am broke, and I found myself pouring out the story of my engagement,

y as I spoke. "I thought I knew him," I said

ftly, his tone laced with emp

" I confessed, at a complete loss.

ding a hand across the bar w

ied my voice no m

in many ways, my calm amidst this vortex of emotions, so oddly captivating. I could hardly e

s, my dreams, and the bitter sting of betrayal that clung to my heart. And then, with the whiskey

h catching in the back of my thr

r of something else-understanding, perhaps. "Are you sur

ed through me. "I need to get ou

silent agreement passing between us. We left the bar together, an

When the doors finally opened, I followed him into his room

y the reckless urge to feel something other than that ache. I closed the door behind us, and before either of

ns. In the arms of Michael, I found an unlikely refuge-one in which,

warmth of Michael's body alongside mine, and my chest seized up in panic. What had I done? My heart was racing as I scra

heart as I wrote them out: "Payment for services rendered." It was cold. It was transactional. Bu

was a bright, sun-shiny day, which was a cruel contrast to the storm which was sweeping across my soul. I went to my room, f

ing new flickered. I didn't know what it was then, could feel onl

e the way ahead, but it was also filled with possibilities of healing and unexpected love. Sta