He’s been in on my plan for a few weeks now. After I landed in Chicago, I met up with him at his girlfriend Katie’s apartment.
“I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees me,” I say, a rush of excitement flooding my chest.
“He’s been bummed out all week. He couldn’t even enjoy the party we had at our place after the game.”
“Aw, my poor Maddy Bear.”
Andrés wrinkles his nose in disgust. “That nickname issofreaking cringey.”
“He loves it.”
“Of course he does,” he says with an eye roll. “Anyways, I’m staying at Katie’s this weekend, so you two have the whole place to yourself. But please do not have sex in my bedroom.”
“Sorry, no promises there,” I tease, shrugging my shoulders.
He glares at me and holds his hand out. “Alright, give me my keys back. You and Maddox can stay at a hotel.”
“I’mkidding. Thanks for helping me orchestrate this.”
“No problem.” He nods. “I hope you have a greatanniversary!”
I quietly open the door to Maddox’s apartment, careful not to wake him up. There are empty liquor bottles all over the kitchen counter and red cups scattered throughout the apartment.
I tidy up the kitchen, wiping down the counter before setting a gift bag on top. Inside is a scarf and beanie I spent hours knitting, each stitch woven with care. Tucked beside them is a glass jar packed with handwritten notes folded into origami hearts. I’ve filled them with reasons why I love him, and lyrics from songs that say everything I can’t always put into words.
As I’m writing a heartfelt note in the anniversary card I picked up from the store, the door to his bedroom creaks open.
Instead of Maddox, out walks Charlotte—dressed in his hoodie and sweatpants.
My stomach clenches, nausea rising like waves.
She stops in her tracks, letting out a startled gasp.
“W-what are y-you doing h-here?” I’m shaking so hard I can barely speak.
“Wait. You and Maddox are still together?” she asks.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” I snap, my teeth clenched.
Charlotte widens her pale blue eyes, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God! I feel awful. If I would’ve known, I never would’ve…”
My grip tightens around the pen until the plastic gives with a sharp crack. “What happened?”
Charlotte opens her mouth and says words that flip my world upside down, “We slept together last night.”
Anger courses through me as tears spill from my eyes. They splatter onto the card, smudging the ink and distorting the message I’d poured my heart into writing.
“During the party, he told me that you two broke up,” she continues. “He flirted with me all night. If I had known he was lying, I would’ve never done that… I’m so sorry, Annalise. You deserve better.” She walks up to me, placing a hand on my back in a failed attempt to comfort me before walking out the door.
I sink to the ground, painful sobs wracking through my body. A black hole opens inside my chest, swallowing my heart.
I feel so betrayed. It makes me question whether he’s cheated on me during the entirety of our relationship. Here I thought I had found my Prince Charming and the love of my life, but everything has been afuckinglie.
Am I not good enough?
Am I not worthy of love?
“Annalise! You’re here!” Maddox’s voice rings out, bright and full of surprise.
