MARRIED TO MY GIGOLO.

“Baby! Liam!! I’m home!”

My voice echoed through the hallway, bouncing off the walls of our small apartment. Normally, he would come running — his face lighting up, his arms wrapping me in a warm embrace. But today, there was only silence.

A strange feeling crept up my spine. Something felt off. I kicked off my shoes, the sound of my heels against the tiled floor the only reply I got.

“Liam?” I called again, softer this time.

Still nothing.

The living room was empty. The television was off. His phone was lying face down on the couch. That was strange — he never went anywhere without it.

A whisper of suspicion began to form in my mind, one I tried to push away. No, not Liam. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

I made my way upstairs, my heartbeat quickening with each step.

And then I stopped.

The door to our bedroom was half open. The soft rustle of sheets met my ears. I pushed the door slowly, praying — begging silently — that I was wrong.

But there he was.

Liam. My Liam.

Asleep. In our bed. With Anna.

My best friend.

My entire body froze. The world around me blurred, my breath coming out in short gasps. For a moment, I couldn’t even scream — I just stared, numb and trembling. Then reality hit like a slap.

“LIAM!”

Anna jerked up, her hair messy, the bedsheet clutched to her chest. But he didn’t move. He was still asleep, blissfully unaware.

That was what broke me.

I stormed into the bathroom, turned on the tap, filled a jug with cold water, and walked back out. Without thinking twice, I poured it all over him.

He jerked awake with a loud gasp. “What the—Vera?!”

“Peaceful sleep after having fun with my best friend, huh?!” I shouted, tears already welling up.

His eyes darted from me to Anna, who sat there in silence, her lips curling into a smug half-smile.

“Baby, I can explain,” Liam stammered, reaching out to me.

“Explain what?” Anna’s voice sliced through the air like a knife. “You don’t owe her anything. Don’t be scared of her, Liam. You’ve got me now. My family is rich — I can give you everything you’ll ever need.”

My jaw dropped. “Shut up! How did you even— Oh my God…”

Liam turned sharply to her, anger flashing in his eyes. “Get out, Anna!”

But she only laughed softly, sliding out of the bed. “You’ll call me when you realize she’s not worth it,” she said, shooting me a condescending glance before walking out.

The room fell into an awkward, painful silence. I could barely breathe.

“Vera…” he began, taking a hesitant step toward me.

“Don’t,” I whispered. “Don’t you dare come near me.”

“Please, I made a mistake—”

“A mistake? Sleeping with my best friend is a mistake to you?” My voice broke, trembling between rage and heartbreak. “I gave up everything for you, Liam. Everything.”

Tears blurred my vision. I grabbed my phone, my bag — anything within reach — and ran out before he could stop me. My heart pounded in my ears as I stumbled down the stairs and out the front door.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just needed to be far away — from that house, that bed, those lies.

By the time I stopped, I was sitting on a cold metal bench at the park, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The late afternoon sun had dipped low, painting the sky in streaks of orange and gold. Families were walking their dogs, children were laughing — and I sat there, falling apart.

Tears poured freely down my face, unstoppable and hot. Not just from betrayal, but from realization.

I had left my entire family to be with Liam.

My father had warned me. Everyone had. But I’d been blinded — by love, by promises, by his smile. My father had wanted me to marry his friend’s son — a man I’d never even met. A man who was abroad at the time, handling his family’s business. But I had refused.

I thought love was enough.

I thought Liam was enough.

I laughed bitterly through my tears. How foolish could I have been?

We had been together since childhood. He used to walk me home from school, carry my books, tell me I was the most beautiful girl in the world. We used to dream of growing old together, building a life. When he lost his job, I became the provider, taking on extra shifts just to make ends meet.

He had promised me that once he found work again, he’d take care of me.

And I had believed him.

Now, thinking back, all the little signs made sense — the late nights, the sudden phone calls, the perfume on his shirts that wasn’t mine. I had brushed it all off. Love makes you blind.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, my chest heaving. I had wanted to surprise him today — to tell him the good news.

I’d just gotten a job at Lancel Group.

The Lancel Group — the leading business chain in the entire city. People waited years for a chance to work there. Vacancies only opened once every two years, and only the best were chosen. I’d worked so hard for that opportunity, studied till my eyes ached, sacrificed sleep — and I made it.

I was supposed to walk through the door today with a smile, tell Liam our luck had changed, that our life was finally turning around.

But instead, I found him in my bed. With Anna.

My heart clenched painfully at the thought.

I pressed my hands to my chest, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. My phone buzzed, but I ignored it. I didn’t need to see his name on my screen. Not anymore.

I was done crying for him.

I placed a call to my sister, she has been the only family who never left me even after my father disowned me. Immediately she picked me up , I broke down in tears telling her everything that had happened. Anna!

I have always told you I don't trust her, she said with anger and disgust written over her face.

She pulled me over and hugged me tightly, she wiped my tears and then urged me to follow her to a club that she has a surprise for me.