Bet You Didn't See Me Leave

Rafael's POV

The private room exploded with laughter.

I stayed in the shadows, dropped off the drinks, and slipped into a corner.

Austin spotted the booze and grinned. "New bet. What's Rafael doing right now? Get it wrong, you chug every beer on the table!"

Everyone jumped in.

Some guessed I was asleep. Others said I was cleaning or doomscrolling.

Austin didn't hesitate. "You're all wrong. Rafael's not home. He's out working to support Eliana."

"This late? No way."

Someone turned to Eliana. "You've known Rafael the longest. What's your guess?"

Her face softened. "I'm with Austin. He's always right."

Austin smirked and tapped his phone.

A second later, every room in my apartment popped up on the massive screen.

Lights on. Nobody home.

Austin grinned. "Called it. Losers get a bottle. Bottoms up!"

The room went wild.

I went cold.

Eliana had hidden cameras all over the little apartment I'd spent five years making a home.

And apparently, I was just their reality show.

After everyone finished drinking, Austin perked up again.

"Next round. Guess what Eliana and Rafael call each other in their texts."

Eliana casually fed Austin a strawberry, like none of this had anything to do with her.

"They've been fake-married for five years. She has to at least call him 'babe,' right?"

Everyone agreed.

Austin grinned. "Guess I win again."

A few taps on his phone.

Then mine buzzed.

Eliana.

[Babe, what are you doing? Miss you.]

I stared at Eliana's profile pic, then at Austin typing away on his phone.

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe.

Then our chat popped up on the giant screen.

"Eliana, seriously? You actually call Rafael 'babe'?"

She glanced at Austin. "Austin's logged into my account.

"He thinks it's funny. He messes with Rafael like this all the time."

Everyone gasped. "Girl, you spoil Austin way too much."

Eliana looked at him fondly. "Austin said the three of us used to do everything together. He'd never been that far from home alone, and he felt insecure.

"So I gave him access to my account and the cameras at home.

"If he wants something, I'll share it with him."

My hands shook as I scrolled through our texts.

[Babe, the sunrise is gorgeous. Wish I could see it every day.]

[Babe, Valentine's Day is coming up. I really want flowers.]

[Babe, I heard that milkshake place on the East Side is amazing.]

And every single time, I'd answered:

[Okay, Eliana. Wait for me.]

She wanted to see the sunrise, so I carried her up and down six flights of stairs every day. Rain or shine.

On Valentine's Day, I'd hit the florist early for the freshest roses and tell her how much I loved her.

I'd spend six hours crossing town just to get her favorite milkshake.

Even when I was dead tired and pale, I didn't care.

I wanted Eliana to have the best of everything.

I thought our life would only get sweeter.

Turns out, I was the joke.

All that love. All that effort.

Just another game for Eliana and Austin.