Your Lie Cost You Me

"Noelle, you're home early," Jean Lyle said. "Ben and I picked up a butternut squash at the store. Want me to make that soup you love?"

Ben Cullen followed her inside. He gave me a polite nod, then headed into the kitchen.

When Ben lost his memory, I couldn't bring myself to leave. So I stayed, even though it meant living like a guest in the home he now shared with Jean.

I was his real girlfriend, yet I spent every day watching him dote on someone else. Every time they held hands or hugged in front of me, it tore me apart.

I kept telling myself that once Ben got his memory back, everything would go back to normal.

Six months passed, but Ben's memory never returned. Instead, I discovered something devastating.

Ben had fallen in love with Jean.

Jean followed my gaze to Ben, who was busy in the kitchen.

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "I'm sorry, Noelle."

I looked down and gave a humorless laugh. "Don't be. I'm the one who couldn't help him remember."

Jean had no idea Ben had been faking his amnesia all along.

She said, "But don't worry. I'm keeping an eye on him for you. I promise I won't let him fool around behind your back."

The irony wasn't lost on me, but I nodded. "I just came back to grab something. I'll be heading out again soon."

Just then, Ben called Jean into the kitchen to give him a hand.

She immediately turned to me. "Go take care of whatever you need to do, Noelle. Dinner will be ready by the time you get back."

I stayed where I was, watching as Jean joined Ben in the kitchen. After peeling a clove of garlic, she held her fingers under his nose.

"Do my hands smell?"

Ben smiled at her fondly and kissed her fingers. "No. You always smell good."

They laughed and teased each other like any other couple. It was exactly how I had once imagined married life with Ben. Except I wasn't the one beside him.

Assuming I had already left, Ben asked, "Noelle's been staying with us for six months now. Hasn't she found a place yet?"

The question caught Jean off guard, and she stumbled over her answer. "Not yet. I don't like the idea of her living alone, and rent is expensive.

"Besides, she's closer to work here, and I feel better having her around. Why are you bringing this up now?"

Ben kept peeling the squash as he spoke, his tone firm. "Tell her to move out. Having all three of us under one roof just isn't working. We can't even get any privacy without worrying about her being in the house.

"And I don't want you always sacrificing what you want for her. We were supposed to have barbecue ribs and roasted squash tonight because they're your favorites.

"But the moment you saw her, you changed the plan and offered to make her favorite butternut squash soup instead. This is your home, Jean. Why do you always act like you're the guest?"

Jean didn't respond right away. Then, without warning, she kissed him on the cheek.