"Star, I'm so sorry," Adrian whispered against my ear. "I wasn't thinking about you. I did a horrible thing. Will you ever forgive me?"
"Of course I will," I said softly. "But you have to promise me that you'll choose me from now on."
"I will, I will. And I'm sorry about the baby."
"I don't understand. Why are you sorry about the baby?" I asked, startled.
"I'm sorry you lost the—"
My heart jolted me awake. I sat up in bed, chest heaving, sweat pooling down my face as if I'd just come out of a shower.
My hands flew to my stomach. My baby. Was my baby okay?
A small kick beneath my palm steadied my breath. Relief washed through me. It was just a dream.
Wait—thank goodness? Adrian had been apologizing in that dream, saying everything I'd ever wanted to hear. Why did he have to talk about the baby?
The sunlight from the window hit my face. I turned toward the clock on the nightstand; it was already past eight. I had never overslept before.
Usually, someone would have woken me to make breakfast, but the house was quiet. Normally, I'd be grateful for the extra sleep, but all I felt was emptiness. I had felt it last night when I came home. I felt it again when Adrian never returned. And I felt it still when Lena didn't text me, even though I waited until two in the morning hoping she would—say something, anything.
She had betrayed me. Somehow, I still couldn't believe it. Maybe I was secretly waiting for her to explain, to say it was all a mistake, that what I saw wasn't what I thought.
When I blinked, my eyes stung. I had cried myself to sleep, and they were still swollen. I splashed water on my face at the sink, trying to look human again, bracing myself to face the day, even though I had no strength left.
Then I heard voices in the living room. The faint sound of chatter, followed by the smell of eggs.
The scent hit me wrong. Something about it made my stomach twist. It was sharper than usual, like someone had dumped too much spice into the pan and forgotten to turn on the vent. The smell filled the whole room until I felt my throat tighten.
I pressed a hand to my mouth, willing the nausea away.
I saw Mother first. "Sleeping beauty decided to grace us with her presence. Maybe you were hoping we'd starve."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I felt really sick last night. Did you make breakfast yourself? I'm so sorry."
"Maybe that was your plan, but I keep telling you that you're not that important. Everyone is replaceable—"
Her voice faded as I caught a glimpse of familiar blonde hair brushing past the stove.
"Good morning, Star. Did you sleep well?" I heard Lena say.
"What are you—"
She dropped the cup in her hand, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me into the hallway, away from the kitchen and dining room.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, unable to hide the bite in my voice.
"Making breakfast for the family. They were hungry, so I just made something simple."
"Please, Lena, stop this. What are you doing here?"
She sighed. "Fine. I came here to talk."
"To?"
"Why are you giving me such a hard time?" she said, brushing her hair aside. The lack of guilt on her face made something inside me twist.
"I know you're upset with me, Star, but I didn't mean to hurt you. Adrian and I love each other. I tried to control my feelings for him and act like a good friend, but I can't do it anymore. I love him, and he loves me."
"What?" The word fell out of me, disoriented and shaking. "Are you serious?"
"Star, the world doesn't revolve around you. Don't you know that?"
"Lena—" a sob caught in my throat. "We're married. I'm carrying his child. Does that not mean anything to you?"
"Well, I guess those things mean a lot to you, but they don't to him."
My hand gripped her shoulder. "Just what the hell are you talking about?"
"That hurts," she mumbled. "Look, Star, I'm telling you I don't regret it. I'm telling you that wasn't the first time Adrian and I had been together. I'm done hiding how I feel because of you."
"What?" The word came out weak. Who was this person standing in front of me? "Is that why you had me go to your apartment yesterday?"
"Finally catching on, are we? Yes, that's why. So, did you enjoy the view? Did you love watching me ride your husband co—"
My hand struck her face before I even realized it. The sound echoed through the hallway, sharp and violent. For a second, I couldn't believe what I'd done. I had never hit anyone in my life. The slap had been sloppy, but it landed hard, a red mark blooming across her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Lena," I almost whispered, but then she smirked at me. Like that was exactly what she wanted.
A scream split the air. Vivi pushed me so hard I stumbled back, and Miranda rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Lena.
"You evil child, how could you do that to Lena?" Mother said.
"I—" I didn't mean to. No, I had meant to.
Lena's eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before she turned away, her expression softening into tears. "No, it's not Star's fault," she cried. "It's mine. She didn't want me here, and I came anyway."
"Who does Star think she is to tell you who can or can't come to the house?" Vivi shouted.
"No, Vivi, don't be upset with Star," Lena sobbed harder.
I watched it all like an outsider, like I was in a movie theater watching someone else's life unravel on screen. My body felt distant, numb, as if it wasn't me who had been pushed to the ground.
Lena's tears shimmered beautifully under the ceiling light. An Oscar-winning act.
Lena, were you always such a good actor?