My life has become a series of "just another days," lazy mornings, and heavy thoughts.
Careful breathing around a man who wasn't mine
"Sigh"
I stood up abruptly, slipped out of my room and padded downstairs for juice.
"Juice," I needed something sweet and maybe common sense.
The kitchen lights were still on when I walked in.
Elena was there.
She stood by the counter, scrolling through her phone, perfectly composed as usual. Her silk robe draped around her like she had just stepped out of a magazine cover.
She looked up when she heard me.
"Oh," she smiled. "Your therapist."
I paused mid-step. "What about him?"
"I saw him leave your room," she said lightly, a teasing grin spreading across her face.
Heat crawled up my neck. "Don't start."
She laughed softly. "Relax, Lys. I'm joking."
She giggled like we were in high school as I reached for the glass, ignoring her.
She leaned against the counter, watching me too closely. "You two seem… close."
"Stop that, Elena." you're making up stuff
"I never make stuff up," she said lightly.
But her voice changed at the end. It lowered. Faded. Like she drifted somewhere else in her head.
That's when I looked at her properly.
Her smile had softened. Not playful. Not teasing. Something else.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my tone shifting without meaning to.
"Yeah," she said quickly. "It's just Victor."
My breath stopped, wondering what was wrong.
The air changed, I tried to act normal.
"What about him?"
"We've been having problems lately," she said, brushing invisible crumbs off the counter. "You know… couple stuff."
She stood abruptly, as if she'd said too much.
"And no, Lys," she added, turning back with a teasing smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You're the one who has a history of making up stories in your head."
That stung a little.
But she wasn't wrong.
I overthink. I imagine. I create disasters where there are none.
Still…there was something in her tone I couldn't quite place.
The next morning — the fifteenth.
The house exploded with noise before I could open my eyes.
I heard a knock, loud and excited.
"Check out my dress Aunty!" Lily burst into my room without waiting.
She spun around in her pink ball gown, the skirt flaring like cotton candy.
I yawned, sitting up. "Um… wow. You look like a princess."
"I know!" she squealed.
"Lily!" Elena shouted out the door, before I could wish her a happy birthday
"Mama! Coming!"
Soft music floated up from downstairs. The faint smell of freshly baked cookies drifted through the hallway. Butter. Sugar. Vanilla.
Guests would be arriving soon.
"Make sure there are no loopholes!" Elena's voice echoed from downstairs, sharp and commanding. "Everything has to be perfect!"
Of course it did.
I dragged myself into the shower.
Water hit my skin and I let it run longer than necessary. Today is not about you, I told myself. Not about Victor. Not about longing. Not about weakness.
I stepped out, wrapped myself in a towel, and opened my wardrobe.
The silver dress hung there.
The one I bought to impress Victor once.
I swallowed.
Today isn't about him.
Aaron would be here.
And yet… a small, shameful part of me hoped Victor would notice.
Just a little.
I hated that part of me.
I slipped into the silver dress. It hugged my waist and fell smoothly over my hips. I curled my brown hair, letting it fall over one shoulder. Silver necklace. Black heels. Black earrings.
I stared at myself again.
Beautiful.
Dangerous.
I checked the time. An hour has gone.
I exhaled before heading downstairs.
Please let me not see him too much today, i prayed crossing my hands.
The house was alive.
Guests filled the living room, laughter bouncing off the walls. Soft instrumental music played in the background. Children ran past with balloons tied to their wrists. A long table stretched across one side of the room, layered with pastries, cupcakes, colorful drinks, and a massive pink cake crowned with candles.
Elena stood beside Victor near the entrance.
Perfect.
She wore a fitted black gown that made her look taller, sharper. A gold sparkly purse rested on her arm. Her makeup was flawless.
Victor stood in a navy-blue suit. His dark hair was neatly styled. His green eyes — those eyes — scanned the room lazily.
Until they found me.
They stopped.
Held.
Something flickered there.
Elena kissed my cheek. "You look dashing, little sis."
I could feel Victor's gaze sliding over me. Slow. Unapologetic.
He didn't even try to hide it.
I hated how my stomach reacted.
The party unfolded beautifully.
Children gathered around Lily as she opened gifts, squealing over dolls and glittering accessories. Adults chatted in clusters. Music grew louder as the afternoon stretched into evening.
Birthdays in Elena's house were always grand — pictures by the staircase, cake cutting surrounded by cheers, aunties filming every second, uncles arguing over who got the biggest slice.
After hours of smiling and greeting guests, my feet began to ache.
I slipped upstairs quietly while everyone was distracted around the cake.
I needed a moment.
And I needed to call Aaron.
He was late.
I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me.
I had barely taken two steps when the door suddenly pushed open.
A hand covered my mouth.
I gasped.
"It's me."
Victor.
I shoved his hand away. "Are you crazy?!"
"Yes," he said without hesitation. "I am crazy, Lys."
"Elena could see us—"
He didn't let me finish.
His lips crashed against mine.
My knees weakened instantly.
That familiar rush. That dangerous pull.
No.
Not again.
Not today.
I pushed him hard. He stumbled back against the door.
"Get out, Victor," I snapped, breath shaking. "Your wife might be looking for you."
"You look so beautiful," he said, stepping forward again.
"That compliment should be for your wife."
My lips said that.
My heart said something else.
"Why do you reject me?" he asked, voice darker now. "Is it because of that therapist?"
His hand gripped my waist. His mouth brushed my neck.
That was it.
"Leave my room," I said firmly.
He stared into my eyes for a long second like he was waiting for confirmation.
Then he let go.
Adjusted his suit and walked out.
I sank onto the bed, weak.
My phone rang.
"I'm already here, Lys," Aaron's voice came through. "I can't find you. Should I come up to your room?"
Panic shot through me.
"No! I'm coming down. Give me five minutes."
I adjusted my dress — rumpled from Victor's grip. Fixed my hair. Checked my neck.
Four minutes passed.
Victor would be downstairs by now.
I stepped out.
Aaron stood near the staircase.
Blonde hair. Brown eyes. Calm presence.
He opened his arms and I walked into them.
"You look so beautiful, Alyssa," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
Then—
"You don't seem very professional."
Victor's voice interrupted.
Aaron turned. "Pardon?"
"I thought you were her therapist," Victor continued, stepping closer. "You're quite informal for one."
I felt frozen.
Elena suddenly appeared, grabbing Victor's arm. "I've been looking for you, honey! Come take pictures with me."
She smiled at Aaron. "Thanks for coming."
She dragged Victor away before the tension could explode.
Aaron leaned toward me. "What's wrong with that guy?"
I shrugged like I didn't know.
Like I wasn't tangled in something ugly.
We danced. Laughed. I wished Lily a happy birthday.
I tried to breathe.
Then I saw Elena.
She was laughing too loudly.
Holding a wine glass too loosely.
Victor was nowhere near her.
This wasn't like her.
Elena doesn't lose control.
Ever.
She'd mentioned problems.
Just Victor.
I excused myself from Aaron and made my way through the crowd.
"Ahh, Alyssa!" Elena shouted when she saw me. "My sweet little sister!"
She laughed again — too bright, too forced.
I took her arm. "Okay. Bathroom. Now."
"Nooo," she whined, but followed.
Inside the restroom, I locked the door.
"You drank too much," I said, guiding her toward the sink.
She leaned over but didn't throw up.
Instead, she straightened slowly.
Her eyes looked different now.
Clearer.
"I have something to tell you."
"Me?" I asked.
"Yes. You."
"Not now, Elena," I said gently. "Let's get you sober first."
"No." Her voice rose. "Now."
Tears welled in her eyes.
My heart tightened.
"There's something you need to know about Victor."