Chapter 1

SOPHIA.

Liam, where are you? The graduation ceremony is about to end!

I typed furiously on my keypad as I paced around the sparsely filled graduation hall. The last message I'd received from Liam was three hours ago. I read the message over and over again.

I'm so proud of you babe, I can't wait to see you soon. Love ya!

That was it! He's not read nor replied to the dozens of texts I'd sent him within the past two hours. Anger surged in my chest as I began to type yet another message. 

The hall was filled with my coursemates— all dressed in their graduation gowns, surrounded by friends and family but I awkwardly stood alone. No family, no boyfriend, no friends— even my roommate, Chloe, had bailed out at the last minute saying she had to read for longer hours.

Tears clouded my eyes, threatening to spill but I blinked it back. Today's my graduation and I shouldn't be feeling sad. Besides, I have a two-week vacation already planned for me by my boyfriend! What more could I ask for?

I tried calling Liam's number again, hoping he'd pick this time but... no, it went straight to voicemail.

A gut-level unease began to coil in my chest. This is so unlike Liam. Within our three year relationship, Liam has never missed any of my celebrations. Why'd he choose to miss my most important moment? 

Is he okay? Did he get into an accident? Did something happen?

My anger spiralled into worry and without thinking, I began running out of the school grounds. With my graduation cap in one hand, I hailed down a taxi and gave the driver direction to Liam's apartment.

During the ride, my heart kept thudding faster as I dialed his number again. The voicemail beeped again.

“Liam, if you’re ghosting me on graduation eve, I swear I’ll—” My voice cracks and I couldn't finish the sentence. “Please, just... just answer.”

As soon as the taxi screeched to a halt in front of Liam's apartment, I paid the driver and jumped out of the car. My legs felt like jelly as I nervously rode the elevator to Liam's apartment floor.

I got to his front door and raised my fist to knock but to my utter shock, the door was already opened by a fraction.

What's going on? Has Liam's apartment been burgled?

My heart began to pound erratically as I tiptoed inside the living room. The whole space was squeaky clean and organized. Everything was still in its usual place except.... his favourite gray shirt that laid carelessly on the couch. 

I turned to the direction of his room and found a trail of clothing that didn't look like his. A black lingerie, a red Louboutin heel and a short female gown that exuded a strikingly familiar scent.

‘Nah, there's no way in hell Liam would cheat on me,’ I thought to myself but as my fingers closed over the cold door knob, I instantly knew I was lying to myself.

Immediately the door creaked open, the sight that greeted me stole air from my lungs. A redhead was straddling my boyfriend and riding him with so much euphoria.

“Fuck, yes baby,” Liam groaned as his finger tangled in her red hair.

“I’m... I'm cumming!” the redhead squealed excitedly, increasing the pacing of her movement. 

“Yeah... ughhhh... cum all over that dick baby,” Liam drawled, snaking his hands around her back and holding her firmly in place as he began to viciously thrust into her faster.

I froze in shock as I watched the pornography play out in real time. A single tear slipped from my eyes and a scream threatened to spill from my lips but I slammed my palm over my mouth.

I watched in horror as my boyfriend rode the redhead to her orgasm. 

Wait. What? 

My heart began a frantic dance as a wave of recognition washed over me. That redhead—

“Chlo... Chloe?!” The scream ripped out of my throat before I could stop myself.

Instantly, the duo froze and whipped their heads in my direction. I hoped I was hallucinating but no, staring back at me were the faces of my boyfriend and roommate— both stark naked and looking flustered.

“Holy fuck, I was just about to cum,” Chloe scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“I'm sorry babe,” Liam mumbled, nibbling on Chloe's earlobe. “You know I can always make it up to you in so many ways.” 

He kissed Chloe and squeezed her nipple, earning a soft moan from her. I watched in awe as Chloe arched deeper into Liam's arm, both of them totally ignoring my presence.

“Li... Liam,” my voice came out in a whisper. “Chloe? How could... you?”

Liam slowly pulled away from the kiss and tilted his head to meet my gaze. I could see red lipstick marks on his face and a bold hickey on his neck. 

“Hey Sophie, how did the graduation go?” Liam said casually. There wasn't a single trace of remorse on his face.

My eyes nearly bulged out of my eye sockets. “Are... are you being serious right now?” 

“Look, Soph—” Liam began.

“Okay, let's cut to the chase,” Chloe cut in, easing up from Liam's dick, which by the way was still rock hard.

“We're all adults and there's no need to pretend or play victim,” she continued. “For the sake of your curiosity, we've been together for seven months. Since your birthday party.”

Jesus fucking Christ! My boyfriend had been cheating on me for seven months?! 

My knees buckled and I stumbled backwards, gripping the door knob. The rest of Chloe's words drowned into the background as tears clouded my vision.

“I'm sorry you had to find out like this,” Liam's voice floated into my ear. “You were too conventional for my liking and I loved the spontaneity that Chloe brought into my life—"

I didn't wait to hear the rest of their heart-stabbing words. I yanked the door open and ran out of the apartment. My heart felt like it was ripped in a million shards and a piercing ringing sound blared in my ears.

Tears flowed freely down my face as Liam's words kept ringing in my head.

Too conventional. Wow, really? Throughout our relationship, Liam had claimed he didn't have a high sexual libido and I'd always been the one initiating sex all through our three year relationship but now, seeing how he was so cozy’d up with Chloe, I knew it was all a flipping lie.

The elevator door dinged open on the ground floor and I staggered outside. The cold evening air whipped my hair all over my face. I was about to flag a taxi when my phone beeped.

It was an email notification that read:

‘Hello Sophia Martinez, We're the management team from Caldera Suites. I'd love to confirm if you're still checking into the suite tomorrow at 18:00 EEST. Kindly respond to this email at your earliest convenience. Thank you.’

I stared at the text over and over again. I'd looked forward to this email for the past thirty days but now that I stared at the message, I felt nothing but a painful emptiness. I was supposed to be in Greece tomorrow with the love of my life but then... I guess I'd have to cancel—

No, wait. Why'd I cancel a trip because of a heartbreak? Liam was the one who cheated not me. Hell, this was my opportunity to have fun and move on with my life.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I began to type a response email.

‘Yes, I'd be checking into the suite tomorrow. Thank you.’