Chapter 1; LOVER’S BETRAYAL

 Chapter 1; Lover’s Betrayal

Camila

While I was making a customer's coffee at the coffee shop, my coworker Lyra silently handed me a brown envelope and then left. I tilted my head, trying to recall who could have sent it.

The name "Hallward" on the envelope provided a clue. ‘He should've called me over. I wondered what was inside.’ I dropped the envelope in front of me, feeling a strange knot in my stomach.

Sia entered the kitchen, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What's wrong, Mila?" she asked, nudging my shoulder.

I sighed, my shoulders sagging under the weight of unspoken fears. "I don't know, Sia."

Sia crouched down, lifting my chin. "Talk to me, what's bothering you?" I remained silent, my gaze shifting to the envelope. Being the perceptive person she was, she noticed and quickly picked it up.

"Wait! Did the boss already pay you?" Her eyes widened in shock, teasingly wiggling her eyebrows in her usual playful manner, trying to make me laugh.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. ‘Was she going to claim that she couldn't see the name written boldly on it, or was she just pretending, turning a blind eye to it?’

"Wait! I know this," She exclaimed. "Did Simon give this to you?" she inquired, eyeing the envelope with curiosity.

Once again, she was directly addressing Doc Simon by his name. One negative aspect of Sia's behavior was her tendency to belittle people's professions simply because she may not be able to reach their level. This was something I always tried to caution her about.

I remained silent, piquing her curiosity even more. Then she quickly opened the envelope and pulled out a white paper; her hands were trembling, "What on earth! Three years left to live?"

The words hung in the air, a stark reminder of my mortality. My heart plummeted, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. Despite my reluctance, I didn't wish to die. My shoulders shook as I began to sob, and I clenched my hands against my chest.

Miss Abigail, may she Rest In Peace, flashed in my mind. Her warm smile flashed in my mind. She had taken me in, a fragile three-week-old, abandoned by my parents due to my illness. I recalled her gentle hands, soothing my feverish brow, and her soft voice, calming my cries. Sia, too, was part of those memories - a toddler, giggling and playing beside me.

Miss Abigail’s sacrifices for me were countless. She spent her life saving on my treatments, seeking the best care possible. Doc Simon’s words echoed in my mind; ‘ST- elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) no cure,’ tears pricked at the corner of my eyes as I remembered Miss Abigail's unwavering hope.

It was truly painful to realize that my time on earth was limited. It was heartbreaking to know that I hadn’t accomplished even half of my dreams before my inevitable death. ‘Why me? All Miss Abigail’s efforts are in vain now.’

I sobbed harder, Sia ran and pulled me into a tight hug, and we both cried on each other’s shoulders.

“No one has the right to decide when you leave this earth, Mila. Don’t take this seriously, please.” She consoled me, slowly withdrawing from the hug and palming my face. “Even if this is true, death can come and take both of us. I’m not scared.” She said bravely, shaking her head.

I let out a sad smile, wondering what I had done to deserve such amazing people in my life, who had stood by me all those years. Miss Abigail gave up her life just to see me alive and happy, and now Sia was even ready to accompany me to death.

No! I wouldn’t let anyone make more sacrifices for me again, and the only way to conceal that thought in her head was to pretend I was fine.

“Yes, no one has the right to make me leave this world, not even STEMI,” I said with all the confidence left in me, trying to act brave in front of her.

"Happy third anniversary, Mila!" She suddenly exclaimed, pulling me for a hug again, shaking my shoulder.

I blinked my eyes rapidly, as I tried to process what she had said. Then, in a flash, it hit me - today was my third anniversary with Leo, my boyfriend.

I couldn’t believe that the day I had been planning for months had slipped my mind so easily. Leo's image flashed through my mind – his eyes sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight, radiating joy.

Our meeting at the eatery two years ago replayed like a cherished memory. Leo's smile transformed from a gentle curve, captivating me. Every gesture, every movement, drew me deeper into him. His love for me was indescribable.

I considered myself extremely lucky and wouldn't allow any medical reports to overshadow the significance of my anniversary, a day that brought me immense joy just thinking about it.

"Thank you, crocky head, I almost forgot," I said with a mist of laughter, and she couldn't help but join me in laughing.

"Hope you're fine now?" she asked, with concern lingering in her voice.

I let out a heavy sigh. "I know I'm supposed to be one of the happiest people on earth, but the doctor's report I received today was so disheartening. But I'll be fine," I assured her.

Leo called soon after, and we chatted for a bit before saying goodbye. His call brightened my mood, causing a smile to spread across my face. I turned to Sia, who watched me and my phone intently, her smile a bit too wide.

"Me and Leo are a perfect match. Sorry, I mean you," she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

I dismissed her comment as friendly banter, but a small doubt lingered in the back of my mind.

"I don't know if I should tell Leo about it," I confided in her, knowing she was my best friend.

Her expression turned serious. "I would advise you not to tell him because no man would want to be with a woman whose days are numbered," she said.

"But Leo is different," I protested.

Her gaze dropped. "And Leo is no exception," she said, shattering my last glimmer of hope.

"Just hold on, don't tell him." She advised.

"Okay," I mumbled, agreeing with what she said.

"Don't worry. Your boyfriend and I have a surprise for you when you get back home tonight," she said quickly, bursting into laughter and running out.

"Wait, what? Sia..." I started to say before she left, not allowing me to finish.

However, it was surprising to know they'd both teamed up to surprise me. I was glad to see both of them patching up their differences. It wasn't surprising, since they'd been spending a lot of time together lately, with him helping Sia with her programming.

I quickly gathered my things, eager to surprise Leo too and make our anniversary unforgettable. I hailed a cab, and he drove me to Merryland.

Our third anniversary was a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. I chose a beautiful wristwatch and necklace, symbols of our love.

He eventually stopped in front of my gate; I settled the fare and he drove away. Holding my carefully wrapped gift, I started walking elegantly towards my apartment.

The loud music coming from my apartment grabbed my attention, making me wonder if Leo had returned. We both lived together while Sia lived in an apartment not too far from where I lived.

As I approached and tried to open the door, I realized it was locked, which had never happened before.

"Knock! Knock! Babe, I'm back. Can you open the door?" I called out to him, knowing he probably couldn't hear me over the loud music.

I took my spare key and unlocked the door, stepping inside.

I was taken aback when I saw the state of my house - it looked like someone had ransacked it. Champagne bottles and glasses were scattered on the floor, along with expensive men's clothing and belongings.

There was even an unwrapped gift and a half-eaten cake lying on the floor. My eyes widened, and I kept blinking rapidly as I tried to figure out what had happened in my absence.

My eyes landed on the couch, and I was jaw-dropped to see a woman's blue underwear and pieces of jewelry that didn't belong to me. Glancing over to the opposite end of the couch, my eyes widened in horror to see a red dress and heels that weren't mine.

The room was a total mess.

"Unbelievable! He's cheating on me," I muttered bitterly.

I quickly ran into my bedroom and tried to open the door, only to find it locked from the inside. But I could hear a lady moaning from inside.

"This idiot really planned this," I muttered to myself as my breath quickened, trying to prepare myself for the worst.

I hurried back to my living room, grabbed my spare key, and unlocked the door before pushing it open.

There he was, slowly thrusting his cock into her pussy in sync with the music playing in my bedroom.

"Yes, Daddy, just like that," the bitch moaned as he hit the right spot.

That voice sounded familiar. I could recognize the owner even if it came from an ash. Sia! A deceitful liar and a traitor.

My chest tightened, and I felt a pang of spite. The shock froze me in place. My hands trembled, and my legs quivered in distress. My breathing became shallow, my head went blank, and the only sound I could hear was the rhythmic sound of my heartbeat.

My eyes were glaring over at my best friend and lover engaging in passionate sex, and they were both covered in sweat.

I could feel the world spinning, the earth threatening to close up on me. Tears rolled down my cheeks quietly as I came to a conclusion. The universe hated me a lot.

Finally, Sia noticed my presence because she was beneath him.

"The half-dead woman finally showed up." she mocked, as she continued raising her ass to meet his thrusts, with her gaze locked onto mine.