Paper Relic
The day I caught Joel Kemper in bed with another woman, she slashed up her own face. Joel pulled her tightly into his arms, refusing to let me see her no matter how hysterical I got.
His eyes were bloodshot as he looked at me.
"This is all my fault, Valerie. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'm begging you. Don't go after her."
After that day, Joel gave up every shred of privacy. He handed over his phone every day and even installed hidden cameras throughout his car.
If a female patient so much as texted him, I would question him over and over, and he never once complained. He went along with everything, asking only that I take him back.
Then, three days before our wedding, I went to pick up my dress, only for the sales associate to stare at me in confusion.
"Ms. Clayton, you already picked up your wedding dress this morning. I actually just saw a video from your ceremony online."
She pulled up the clip.
The same friends of Joel's, who had still been acting like I was the one he was going to marry yesterday were now handing the rings to the bride and groom, with several of our mutual friends standing nearby.
Joel leaned toward the bride with a smile and murmured tenderly, "I love you, Daphne."
The name, and the face that looked exactly like mine, left me frozen in place.