Heart Attack

NORA

"I want this one."

My fingers slipped around a red dress with delicate thin straps, nestled among dozens of others hanging neatly on the rack. I pulled it off the hanger and held it out to the attendant.

"Would you like to try it on, ma’am?"

"Yes," I said with a nod.

"Please, follow me."

I trailed behind her toward the fitting rooms, my heart fluttering.

I had just returned from a two-week visit to my parents’ place, and in less than an hour, I’d be seeing my boyfriend. More accurately—surprising him. He had no idea I was back.

But that wasn’t the only surprise.

Tonight, I planned to give him something I’d kept for a long time—my virginity.

Over the past eight months of our relationship, I’d drawn a firm line when it came to sex. We’d kissed, touched, even made out more times than I could count, but I always stopped things before they could go too far.

Not tonight though.

Tonight was different. I was ready. And I was excited.

"Do you like it?" The attendant’s voice tugged me from my thoughts.

I caught my reflection in the mirror. The red dress clung to my skin, hugging every curve like it was made for me. One thin strap slipped along my shoulder, catching the light 0at my collarbone. "It’s perfect,” I told her then smiled. “Do you have a lingerie set in this color?”

The corner of her lips pulled into a knowing smile before she gave a nod. "Of course, I will be right back."

"Thank you." I smiled and returned my attention to the mirror. A giggle shot out of my mouth at the thought of Adrian's reaction when he sees me in this dress.

The saleswoman returned with the lingerie set, and I handed over my card without a second thought. A few minutes later, I stepped out of the store, feeling more beautiful than I was when I came in.

My car screeched to a halt in front of Adrian's house: small, cream-painted building with a grass-covered porch.

A smile tugged at my lips when I spotted his car parked in the driveway, sitting pretty like it always did. But the smile faltered when I noticed another car; a blue one. Unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar, as though I’d seen it before.

I sighed and brushed off the uneasy feeling, stepping out of the car and heading toward the porch.

One, two, three, four rings at the doorbell; no answer. Without hesitation, I slipped my hand beneath the doormat and retrieved the spare key he always kept there just in case I showed up unannounced.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Then froze.

Clothes were scattered across the living room floor. A t-shirt. Shorts. And... panties?

I blinked, my brows pulling together as I took a hesitant step forward. At the foot of the stairs, a gown and a bra laid tangled together.

Then came the sound. Moaning.

No.

No, it couldn’t be.

My heart thudded loudly against my chest as I forced a smile, one I didn't even believe and climbed the stairs. Each step I took, the moaning grew louder, more rhythmic, more unmistakable.

I stopped in front of Adrian's door. It was slightly ajar.

The sounds were definitely coming from inside.

I took a shaky breath and leaned forward. What I saw made the air leave my lungs in a stunned, broken gasp.

A woman knelt at the edge of the bed... naked.

Adrian was behind her, hands gripping her waist, thrusting into her without restraint.

Banging her.

“Fuck, babe,” Adrian groaned.

A tear slipped down my cheek. Babe? He was calling her that?

“You really know how to make a man feel good,” he said, lowering his head to kiss her.

My stomach twisted. What did that even mean? That I never did? Sure, I hadn’t let him sleep with me, but I let him touch me. We made out frequently. I gave him so much.

Another tear slid down, then another. I didn’t even wipe them.

“No, sweetie… it’s all you,” the woman’s voice cooed. “You always know how to hit the right spot.”

Her voice yanked me out of the fog. Out of my silent spiral of shame and disbelief.

"You mean like this?" he said, thrusting deeper into her.

"Oh fuck...yes babe...again...again,"

He smirked as he thrust harder into her like he was proud of it.

Her voice scraped at something in my memory. I knew it. I’d heard it before… but where?

“Adrian… please?” she whimpered.

My stomach dropped. That voice. No—it couldn’t be.

“Please what?”

“Please… fuck me harder,” she moaned.

“Your wish is my command, my princess.”

My princess.

That used to be mine.

I stared, frozen. Has he been cheating on me this whole time?

I pulled out my phone and called him. I needed to see, would he pick up?

The ringtone sliced through the room.

“Who is it?” she snapped.

Adrian glanced at the screen, then rolled his eyes.

He rolled his eyes.

Yesterday, he said he missed me. Said he loved hearing my voice. Said I was the only one.

"It’s that goody-two-shoes,” Adrian muttered.

“That bitch.”

My stomach twisted. She knows me.

“Come on, baby. That’s no way to talk about your best friend,” he said, slowing down.

No.

The voice. The build. The way she moaned. I shook my head, unwilling to believe it even though everything added up.

“Says the guy fucking her behind her back… for the fifteenth time,” she said with a smirk.

Fifteenth?

“Are you actually counting?” he chuckled, brushing his thumb over her lip.

“I was. Until you made me cum so hard I lost track,” she laughed, wrapping her arms around him.

“Bad, bad girl.” He pinned her wrists and started moving again. “You stripped in front of me. What was I supposed to do? Walk away while your ass begged to be fucked? At least you know how to please me. Not like that trash who calls herself my girlfriend.”

That trash… was me.

“Please,” she whined. “Stop talking about that bitch. Just make me cum already.”

I couldn’t breathe. My heart pounded so loud I was afraid they’d hear it.

I should’ve let him fuck me. That’s what this was about, right? That I didn’t put out?

“F-fuck, Adrian… don’t stop… I’m about to—”

He grabbed her breast and groaned. “I love you, Isla.”

Isla.

He said it. He came inside her and said he loved her.

“I love you too,” she whispered as he pulled out.

That was when I knew I had to leave.

With a racing heart, I left the house, locked the door behind me, and put the key exactly where it was before.

I didn’t want them to know I was ever there.

I stepped outside and buttoned my coat, my fingers shaking. Then I flagged down a cab.

“Where to, ma’am?” the driver asked as I slid into the backseat.

“Just go.”

My voice cracked as I folded my shaking hands into fists, tears sliding down my cheeks - hot, silent, and endless.