A Lab Rat for His Love

Melissa had sent me a video. It was Howard, playing "Truth or Dare" while tipsy.

His roommate, Pierce Milett asked, "Who's your favorite girl?"

Without hesitation, Howard replied, "Melissa, of course."

He lost three games in a row, being drunk.

"What's the most memorable night you can think of?"

"Three days ago."

That was the day he told me he was busy handling paperwork in preparation for graduation. Turned out he was keeping his beloved company.

Melissa blushed, and everyone laughed.

In the next round, he chose to do a dare.

Pierce hollered, "Kiss! It's got to be a French kiss!"

The video focused on their lips. I could see spit glimmering while they moved against each other. They kissed for five minutes.

Initially, the crowd cheered. However, they soon held Howard back, terrified that he'd cross a line in his excitable state.

"Howard, don't take it too far. Even if you like Lizzy, there's no need to behave like this, right? The rest of us are single. Stop subjecting us to this torture!"

Melissa nuzzled into his chest shyly, the tips of her ears flushed red.

The video ended there.

The second I finished watching it, Melissa deleted the video.

"I'm sorry, Selena. I sent it by mistake. You didn't see anything, did you?"

My heart seized painfully. Even my fingers trembled as I typed. It was the first time I realized devastation had the power to render people speechless.

If Melissa was the one he liked, what about me, his fiancée?

I thought that as long as I threatened him with our marriage, I would be the only one by his side. No other woman would play a starring role in his life. However, this was all part of my imagination.

Loving him had become a habit after all these years. I couldn't imagine a life without Howard. Yet, I had no choice now.

If I didn't leave him, I wouldn't be able to satisfy my own conscience. All those times I put aside my dignity for him would be for nothing.

I lay on the couch numbly. Holding my hand above me, I studied my diamond ring. It wasn't very valuable, but I had invested much of my youth and feelings into what it symbolized. Like me, the ring was worth nothing now.

After a moment, I threw it toward the rubbish bin, not bothering to turn the lights on.

Suddenly, Howard texted me, saying, "Help me deliver some stuff. My driver's busy."

He also sent me the location of a nearby pharmacy. When I didn't respond, he followed up with a cute sticker of a begging cat.

"Be a good girl for me, Selena. My roommate is allergic to alcohol and needs medicine. It's a matter of life and death. I'm putting his life in your hands! I'll remember how you helped me today and pay it back in time!"

I didn't want to see him again, but he kept calling. If I didn't comply, he'd probably continue harassing me. I was left without a choice, so I put my jacket on and left.

My hair was still wet from the rain, and it made me feel extremely cold.

When the cashier handed me the bag of things Howard had ordered, she eyed me with disdain. I could see the corner of a red condom box peeking out of the black bag.

I was in low spirits from the earlier events. Even at the evidence of Howard cheating, I felt nothing but numbness.

Tying the bag together, I brought it to the club he was at.

Howard was so drunk he couldn't walk in a straight line. Upon seeing me, he slumped onto my shoulder.

"What took you so long?"

"Traffic was slow."

He believed me without hesitation, under the influence of alcohol.

"What a good girl, Selena. Thank you so much, my darling fiancee. I'll make it up to you tomorrow. Clean yourself up for me, and wait at home."

Howard tried to get even closer, but I backed away. His companions were calling for him from inside the private room they'd booked. He turned to leave, but not before sending me a flying kiss. I nearly threw up at his disgusting expression.

The door was ajar and I could see Melissa sitting on a couch inside.