All Chapters of The Unexpected Affair : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I didn’t know what to do. The happiness we had been feeling just minutes before had been completely swept away by this sudden wave of fear and uncertainty. I felt helpless, wanting to take her worry away but knowing there was nothing I could do except be there for her."Do you want me to drive?" I asked softly, already reaching for her hand, but Alex shook her head."No, I’ve got it," she replied, her voice tight. "I just… We need to get there."I nodded, understanding that need to keep moving, to focus on something, anything, to keep from falling apart. I squeezed her hand again, letting her know I was right there with her, that I wasn’t going anywhere.The drive to the hospital felt like it stretched on forever, every second passing in agonizing slow motion. My mind was racing, trying to imagine what was happening, what had caused Alex’s sister to end up in the hospital. I mean she did say that her sister was sick yesterday, I just didn't think it was this serious. The fear gnawed a

When we finally arrived back at my mom’s place, I couldn’t help but feel a knot tightening in my stomach. I watched as my mom hugged Alex, the embrace lasting what felt like an eternity. The sight of them together, so close, was a bittersweet reminder of the complex web of lies we were in.When they finally pulled apart, my mom kissed Alex on the cheek and said, “Hey, I’m back. I’m so sorry about your sister. I hope she gets better.”Alex smiled, though I could see the sadness behind it. “Thank you, Miranda. I appreciate that.”Then Alex turned to me, her expression softening. “Lizzy, hiii.”I walked toward her, feeling awkward and exposed under my mom’s watchful eye. I hugged Alex, but I couldn’t hold on as long as I wanted to. Not here. Not with my mom right there. So, I pulled away quickly and asked, “How are you?”“Good, and you?” she replied, her voice steady, but I could sense the tension between us. God! How are we going to do this?“I’m okay,” I answered, even though I wanted

The hospital smelled like sadness. Like antiseptic and tears. A sterile, cold scent that clung to the back of my throat and made me feel like I was suffocating with every breath. I’d never liked hospitals, but now, walking through these corridors, knowing that Alex was about to lose her sister, and knowing that there was nothing anyone could do, I was starting to hate them.The lights flickered overhead, casting long, pale shadows on the walls. Our footsteps echoed in the quiet hallway, a soft, rhythmic tapping that felt almost disrespectful in the stillness. The scent of disinfectant was thick in the air, mixing with the faint, acrid smell of something burnt, like the sharpness of impending grief and the inevitability of death. It was a smell that seemed to burrow into my skin, staining me with its heaviness.I walked slightly behind Alex and my mom, every step heavier than the last. I wanted so badly to reach out, to take Alex's hand in mine, to pull her close and whisper that I was

The day was already heavy, the kind of heaviness that settled deep into the bones, and now, as my mother approached me, I felt the familiar twinge of anxiety rise up in my chest. I had been avoiding her for days, ever since that argument at the hospital. But now, as she stood before me, her expression softened and hesitant, I felt a pang of guilt. I missed her. I missed the way we used to talk about everything, the way she always seemed to know when something was wrong. And what was the point of keeping this secret if it meant I was losing both Alex and my mom anyways?"Can we?"“Yeah, sure, Mom,” I said, gesturing to a nearby chair under the shade of a tree. We sat down, the cold, hard wood pressing against me as we settled in. The silence between us felt like a thick wall, almost impenetrable. I could feel the sadness radiating from both of us, the weight of unsaid things hanging heavy in the air.“Look, I'm sorry,” she began just as I said, “I'm so sorry,” and we both stopped, surp

As I closed the door behind Alex, my heart felt light yet knotted, my mind focused on the conversation we were about to have. Last night had been wonderful, Mom, Alex, and I laughing, playing games, and Alex drinking a bit too much. I’d even felt okay when my mom drove her home, a small victory over my usual jealousy. But today, I knew I couldn’t ignore the tension any longer. I needed to tell Alex about my mom’s feelings before she found out herself.Alex greeted me with a kiss that lingered, her hands warm and steady on me. “Hey, how are you?” Her eyes held that gentle concern that melted me every time.I smiled softly. “I missed you too.”She laughed, and we walked into the living room where my breakfast still sat, untouched. Alex looked at me with a teasing glint in her eye as she tugged me close. “So,” she whispered, pulling me against her. “Want me to help you with something in the bedroom?”I tried to smile but the seriousness of the moment weighed on me. Gently, I pulled away,