Chapter Twelve: I'm Not Gay

Sophia's POV

I stepped into the boutique and immediately regretted it.

The scent of expensive perfume and freshly steamed fabric filled the air, stirring memories I had spent days trying to bury.

Ethan and I used to come here together. I remembered standing in front of mirrors while he adjusted the straps of a dress or brushed a strand of hair from my face. He would smile and tell me I looked beautiful.

Back then, I had believed every word. Now those memories felt like poison. I quickly selected a few outfits and headed toward the exit, determined to leave before the nostalgia swallowed me whole.

"Sophia!" A familiar voice stopped me.

I stopped, before I could escape, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Eleanor, let go of me."

"No."

She tightened her grip and dragged me toward a seating area near the center of the boutique. I sighed heavily.

Some things never changed. Eleanor Brooks had always been impossible to ignore.

My eyes shifted toward the man sitting beside her. Wyatt Carter. Unlike Eleanor's fiery personality, Wyatt was calm, reserved, and painfully shy.

They had been together since high school. I still remembered the day Eleanor nearly broke two boys' noses for bullying Wyatt. The following year, they got married immediately after graduation. Everyone thought they were crazy. Years later, they were still together.

Eleanor wrapped her arms around me. The hug was so tight I could barely breathe.

"What's wrong?" she asked immediately.

Of course she noticed. She always noticed.

For years, Eleanor had been able to read my emotions better than I could.

"Leave her alone," Wyatt said softly.

Eleanor ignored him. "What happened?"

I forced a smile. "Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

I looked away. Before I could answer, movement near the bridal section caught my attention. My body instantly stiffened. Ethan. Standing beside him was Mark. The same Mark. The same man I had caught in bed with my fiancé. My stomach twisted violently. For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Mark was holding a wedding catalog while Ethan examined one of the displays. Anger surged through me. Hot. Immediate.

Uncontrollable. The two of them noticed me at the same time.

Ethan's face was drained of color. Mark looked equally uncomfortable. Without thinking, I started walking toward them. Fast. Very fast.

"Sophia—"

SLAP! The sound echoed through the boutique. Several customers gasped. Ethan's head snapped to the side. Silence followed. The slap was long overdue.

It was the slap I should have given him the night my entire world fell apart.

Slowly, Ethan turned back toward me. His cheek was bright red. For once, I didn't feel guilty. Not even a little.

Mark immediately stepped forward. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

He raised his hand. Before he could take another step, Wyatt stood. His large hand wrapped around Mark's wrist. Firmly. Effortlessly. Wyatt wasn't an aggressive man. But everyone knew one thing about him. He worked with metal for a living. His grip alone could break bones. Mark's expression changed instantly.

"Don't," Wyatt said calmly.

Just one word. Yet somehow it sounded like a threat. Mark immediately lowered his arm.

"What is going on?" Eleanor demanded.

Nobody answered. Her eyes moved from Ethan to me. Then back to Ethan. Suddenly realization flashed across her face.

"What did he do?"

I swallowed hard. "He cheated."

Eleanor's eyes widened. "What?"

"He cheated on me."

For a second, nobody moved. Nobody spoke.

Then Eleanor exploded. "I KNEW IT!"

She lunged toward Ethan. Wyatt immediately grabbed her around the waist and lifted her slightly off the ground.

"Eleanor."

"LET ME GO!"

"No."

"LET ME HIT HIM!"

"No."

"He deserves it!"

"I know."

Eleanor struggled furiously. Wyatt held her without difficulty. Several customers were openly staring now. Honestly, I couldn't blame them. It probably looked like a reality show.

"Eleanor," Wyatt said patiently.

"What?"

"Calm down."

"I'm calm."

"No, you're not."

"I am calm!"

"No."

"I AM!"

Wyatt sighed. "You threatened three people in less than ten seconds."

Eleanor folded her arms. "That's because they're annoying."

Despite everything, I almost laughed. Eleanor looked back at me. Her expression softened. "When did this happen?"

"A few days ago."

"How?" I hesitated. The memories still hurt. The betrayal. The lies. The humiliation. Everything.

Eleanor crossed her arms. "Start talking."

I glanced at Ethan. He was staring at me.

Begging silently. Pleading with his eyes. Please don't. Please stop. Please don't tell them. For the first time in years, I felt absolutely nothing when I looked at him. No love. No warmth. No affection. Just disappointment.

I opened my mouth. "Ethan and—"

"I DIDN'T CHEAT!"

The sudden shout startled everyone. Every head turned toward Ethan. His chest rose and fell heavily. "I didn't cheat with Mark.”

I stared at him. Was he serious?

Mark looked equally shocked.

Eleanor blinked. "What?"

Ethan pointed toward me. The boutique fell silent. People were openly listening now. Even the sales assistants had stopped working.

"You were literally in bed with another man," Eleanor said.

Ethan's jaw tightened. His face flushed. For several seconds, he seemed to struggle with something internally.

Then suddenly he shouted, "I'm not gay!"

The words exploded through the boutique.

Complete silence followed. A pin could have dropped. Nobody moved. Nobody blinked. Nobody even breathed. Then came a whisper from somewhere behind us.

A woman standing near the fitting rooms leaned toward her friend. "Did he just say he's not gay?"

Another customer laughed. "But she said she caught him with a man."

More whispers followed. Like wildfire. "He was with another guy?"

"Wait, what?"

"Is he denying it?"

"Oh my God..."

The gossip spread through the boutique within seconds. Ethan looked horrified.

Mark looked ready to disappear. Eleanor looked confused. Wyatt looked exhausted.

And me? I simply stood there. Watching.

Because for the first time since my life fell apart, I realized something. The truth had finally escaped.