Lies between us

Elena opened the front door quietly, not expecting anyone to be there. But as soon as she stepped inside, she froze.

“Hi, babe,” Raphael said from the living room, smiling warmly.

Her heart jumped. “Raphael! You’re home already?” she said in surprise, trying to sound calm. “You didn’t tell me you were coming back today.”

He walked toward her, that gentle, familiar smile still on his face. “I know,” he said softly. “I wanted to surprise you, my darling.”

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. His touch was warm, comforting — and yet, Elena felt her chest tighten.

“You should’ve told me,” she said, forcing a laugh. “I would’ve cooked your favorite meal.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s fine, babe. I’m just happy to be home with you.”

Elena smiled, but inside, her thoughts were racing.

Why was her heart beating so fast? Why did she feel guilty?

Raphael never came home without telling her. He always called first. Always planned ahead. This — this surprise visit — felt different.

Did he see me? she wondered suddenly. Did he see me talking to Scarlett outside ?

She shook her head quickly. No… he couldn’t have. There’s no way.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the thought aside and said lightly, “I’ll make something quick for dinner.”

She slipped into the kitchen, hands trembling slightly as she prepared a simple meal — pasta, salad, and garlic bread. The smell filled the house, but she barely noticed. Her mind was elsewhere — replaying the night before, the way Scarlett had looked at her, the danger and warmth in her eyes.

When dinner was ready, Raphael came in and kissed her on the cheek. “Smells amazing,” he said with that easy grin.

“Thank you,” Elena replied, smiling softly.

They sat down to eat together. The conversation was normal — safe. Raphael talked about work, about meetings, about wedding details. Elena nodded, answered when she had to, but her mind drifted again and again.

When the plates were empty, Raphael stretched his arms. “That was great,” he said. “You always take care of me.”

Elena smiled, her heart aching at the sound of his voice. “Always.”

After dinner, they went to bed early.

Raphael fell asleep quickly, his breathing soft and even. Elena lay beside him, staring at the ceiling in the dark.

She turned her head to look at him — the man who loved her, who wanted to marry her.

He was everything she should want. Kind. Loyal. Stable.

And yet her heart beat faster when she thought of someone else.

Scarlett Voss.

The way her eyes had burned through the crowd. The way her voice had sounded — low, dangerous, impossible to forget.

Elena shut her eyes, trying to block out the image, but it only made it clearer.

What’s wrong with me? she thought. Why can’t I stop thinking about her?

At last, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.

---

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Elena blinked awake and turned to see Raphael still asleep beside her, his arm resting over his chest.

For a moment, she just watched him. Peaceful. Innocent.

She leaned in and kissed his forehead softly. “I love you, Raphael,” she whispered.

But even as the words left her lips, her heart whispered another name — Scarlett.

Raphael stirred and smiled sleepily. “Good morning, babe,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss her lips.

“Good morning,” she said, forcing a smile.

“What time is it?” he asked.

She glanced at the clock. “Nine a.m.”

His eyes widened. “Oh my God, I’m late! I have a meeting today.” He jumped out of bed, pulling on his clothes quickly.

Elena laughed quietly. “It’s fine, baby. Go — I’ll make you coffee.”

“Thanks, love,” he said, tying his tie in a rush.

As he grabbed his briefcase, he paused by the door. “Hey,” he said, smiling at her. “I missed you.”

Her throat tightened. “I missed you too.”

When the door closed behind him, Elena sank back into the couch, her smile fading.

The silence of the apartment wrapped around her — and the thoughts she tried to bury came crawling back.

Scarlett’s face. Her voice. The way her gaze had made Elena feel small and seen all at once.

Elena rubbed her temples, whispering, “Stop it. You’re engaged. You’re happy. You love Raphael.”

But the lie felt heavier every time she said it.

---

That evening, Raphael called from work.

“Hey, babe,” he said cheerfully. “How’s your day?”

“It’s good,” Elena said.

“Are you cooking tonight?”

“Actually…” Elena hesitated. “I’m going out tonight. With Clara.”

“Oh?” His tone was light, but she could hear the curiosity in it. “Where are you going?”

“Just a girls’ hangout. Maybe the club again.”

“The club?” he repeated, surprised. “Since when do you like clubs?”

Elena laughed nervously. “You know, just trying something new. Clara’s been begging me to go out more. I don’t want to stay home all the time.”

Raphael chuckled softly. “Alright, babe. No problem. Have fun, okay?”

“I will.”

But as soon as she hung up, the truth pressed against her chest.

She wasn’t meeting Clara.

She was going alone.

She didn’t know why — or maybe she did. She wanted to see Scarlett again. Even if Scarlett pushed her away. Even if it hurt.

She wanted to feel that spark again, that danger that made her heart race.

Elena stood in front of the mirror, fixing her hair, slipping on a black dress that clung to her curves. She looked at her reflection — innocent face, trembling hands, guilty eyes.

“Just one more time,” she whispered to herself. “I only want to see her one more time.”

---

Raphael came home late that night, tired but smiling. He called out softly, “Elena?”

No answer.

He checked the kitchen — empty. The living room — silent.

Then he noticed her phone charger still plugged into the wall.

He frowned.

“She didn’t take her charger…” he muttered.

Something in his chest tightened, but he tried to brush it off.

“She’s with Clara,” he said to himself. “Just having fun.”

But as he looked around their quiet home, a small, uneasy thought began to grow.

Why does it feel like she’s slipping away from me?