A Stray Earring

For nearly a few minutes, I couldn't hear any sound.

It felt like my heart was being ripped apart. It was as if I was bleeding profusely and staining everything around me.

Sally's worried face hovered over me. She wouldn't stop bombarding me with questions.

"Mel, what's wrong?

"Why are you crying so hard? Did James bully you?

"Say something! If he bullies you, I'll stand up for you!"

I stared at her blankly. In the past, I would feel touched whenever she showered me with these words of comfort and support.

But now, I felt nothing but fear in the face of Sally's fake indignance and righteousness. I struggled to believe that the two people who had stayed by my side for 10 years would work together to betray me. They meant more to me than my life.

An overwhelming terror consumed me. I felt like someone had dropped a bucket of ice water over me. All the warmth in my body was gone.

I had no idea how much time had passed before I finally found my voice again.

My best friend now looked like a stranger to me. I shook my head softly. "Nothing. I just had a fight with James."

Sally laughed and hugged me. "Gosh, you got me thinking something serious has happened! You're spoiled rotten by James. Honestly, your husband is one of the best out there. Don't be too stubborn.

"I am only telling you this because you're my best friend. If James were anyone else's husband, I would have made him mine long ago!"

A sharp pain pierced my chest. Why had I never doubted Sally when all the while, she had been making such bold, ridiculous statements?

Why had I trusted them unconditionally all these years? Was I truly that foolish?

Sally made me take a seat. It took me a while to calm down.

I glanced at the missing earring on her other ear and asked quietly, "Where's your other earring? Why are you only wearing one?"

Sally instinctively touched her ear. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. "Oh, it was there this morning. Maybe I lost it while shopping with a friend."

No wonder James had suddenly left home this morning, citing an urgent situation at work.

So, he had used that disgusting condom in the car this morning with Sally.

A wave of nausea surged in my chest, and I almost vomited.

"I don't feel well. I'll head home first," I said.

Seeing my pale face, Sally didn't press further. She nodded furiously. "Okay. We'll meet another day. Rest well."

Before she could finish, I fled from the café. The breeze whipped my body unforgivingly.

Suddenly, it struck me that James' car dashcam was connected to my phone.

Standing on the street, I opened the app with trembling hands and pulled up the footage from this morning.

Sure enough, it didn't take long before Sally's familiar voice came through. "Why are you late? Don't you miss me at all?"

Then came James' voice, which was laced with a hint of impatience. "Didn't I tell you not to call me when I'm at home? Mel can unlock my phone. Do you know what would happen if she answered?"

"Mel! Mel! All you ever talk about is Mel! Why are you sleeping with me if you love her so much?"

A long silence followed.

Sally's tone suddenly softened. "Alright, I didn't ask you out to argue with you… James, it's been so long since I've seen you. Do you know how much I miss you?

"Every night, I dream of you. I wish I could show up at your house, but I held back because I care about you. I don't want to upset you…

"I don't need you to marry or date me. All I want is you!"

What followed were noises of them shamefully making out.

The saccharine moans echoed through the entire recording. James, who once whispered sweet nothings in my ear, was now engaged in dirty talk with another woman.

"Oh, my Sal, my dear Sal. Only you can bring me such pleasure. Mel is so fragile that I'm scared she'd break at any moment if I handled her too roughly.

"But you're different. You fulfill all my desires."

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into my heart.

I clutched my chest. Unable to hold back anymore, I retched and collapsed onto the ground in utter despair.

Why? Why did this have to happen to me? Why did they have to do this to me?

The unbearable pain made me wish I could die at that moment.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't cry out loud. I gasped, finding it impossible to breathe.

Just when I thought I would die on that desolate street, a car screeched to a halt beside me. A man jumped out and ran over. He scooped me up in his arms.

His familiar voice was filled with urgency. "Mel, breathe! Don't be scared. Just breathe!"

I raised my head, and Evan Rochester's face came into view.

Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably.