MY EX-HUSBAND WATCHED ME FALL IN LOVE

Bella: The night of my first wedding anniversary was supposed to be one of the happiest nights of my life. I imagined candlelight, laughter, and Luke Graham, my husband holding my hand across the dinner table while we talked about the future we wanted to build together. I had pictured him walking through the front door with that smile that always made me forget every bad day I'd ever had. Instead, I received a notification that destroyed everything I believed in. My phone buzzed on the bedside table. I smiled, thinking it was Luke letting me know he was finally on his way home. He had called earlier to say work was keeping him busy, and although I was disappointed, I had convinced myself it would be worth the wait. But when I picked up my phone, my smile slowly disappeared. An unknown number sent me a video, with a confused gaze, I clicked on the video and pressed play. The moment the screen lit up, my entire world came crashing down. My fingers froze around the ph

Bella: Before I could take another step toward the closet, Luke caught my wrist. In one swift movement, he pulled me back against his chest. His arms wrapped around me securely, holding me close. Once upon a time, this embrace had been my safe place. Whenever life became overwhelming, all it took was Luke holding me like this for everything to feel right again. Tonight, his embrace felt like a prison and every part of me screamed to get away from him. "Leave me alone" I whispered, my voice breaking through the silence of the room. "I was busy at work, for real." he said, his arms tightened around me. A big lie! I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my back, and it only made me feel sicker. How could he hold me like this after holding another woman? How could these same hands touch me without hesitation after they had been all over Serena? Luke rested his chin lightly against my head, completely oblivious to the storm raging inside me. If only

Luke: I sat on the edge of the bed, carefully helping Serena rub ointment on her twisted ankle. Guilt gnawed at me—I should have been home with my wife right now, but Serena’s situation felt too urgent to ignore. I’ve always worried about her, and honestly, she has been there for me through so much. I promised myself I’d always return the favor. She smiled softly and wrapped her arms around me. “I know it’s your anniversary, but can you please stay with me tonight?” “I can’t, Serena,” I said gently. “Bella’s already so angry she’s not even talking to me. She can’t find out I came here first. I had to lie to her like you suggested, or she’ll completely misunderstand.” “But I feel so lonely,” she whispered. “I need you here. What if I can’t find my inhaler again and have another attack?” I sighed, torn between staying and rushing home to my wife. Serena had no one. Her family had abandoned her and her mother years ago, and then she’d lost her mom in that terrible acciden

Luke: Few days later. I sat in my car outside Serena's mansion for a long moment, my hand still resting on the steering wheel. Home no longer felt like home. The silence inside that massive house had become unbearable, every room carrying traces of Bella that I couldn't bear to face. Her laughter echoed in my memories, her perfume still lingered on the pillows, and every unanswered message from her only tightened the knot in my chest. I glanced at my phone. More missed calls. More texts from her. I didn't open a single one. Every time I considered replying, the image from the bar came crashing back into my mind—Bella wrapped around another man, their lips locked together. The memory hurt like fresh glass being driven into my heart. I had trusted her with everything. I never believed she would betray me that way. With a weary sigh, I stepped out of the car and walked to Serena's front door. She answered almost immediately. "Luke." A gentle smile spread a

Bella: Memories flooded back as the hospital lights came into view. I remembered the day Luke proposed. It was at that fancy restaurant overlooking the city, with Serena sitting right there at the next table, pretending to be happy for us. She had always been around, like a shadow that never left. "She's just my best friend, Bella. Don't be insecure," Luke would say whenever I complained. And call me insecure. How could I not be when every late night at the office turned out to be time spent with her? When his phone was always silent around me but rang endlessly when she called? The car pulled up to St. Martin Hospital, and I didn't even wait for it to stop fully before opening the car door. "Ma'am, please be careful." He said to me and Killed the engine. I stepped out without thinking. "Thank you, sir. God bless you," I muttered, thrusting some cash into his hand. He nodded sympathetically as I ran inside, my legs feeling like jelly. The hospital smelled of disi