Chapter 2The Last Letter to My Best Friend

I didn’t sleep a wink. When Matt came back to bed, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. The feel of his breath on my neck sent a wave of nausea through me. I pushed him away and went to the guest room.

The next morning, I left before he was awake.

I couldn’t stand being under the same roof with him. I was afraid I would be physically sick.

When Matt called, I was at my lawyer’s office, staring at a draft of our divorce papers. I answered.

“Where did you go so early?”

“My vacation leave is over. I came to the office to catch up on work.”

I was impressed with myself. How could I lie so calmly at a time like this? Matt seemed to buy it.

“Okay. I’ve got a busy day too, so I won’t be home for lunch. I sent you a gift, make sure you sign for it.”

After hanging up, the lawyer across from me pushed a glass of hot water in my direction. “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice gentle. My face must have been a mess.

I gave him a weak smile and thanked him. Then I pointed to a clause in the agreement. “Change this. I get ninety percent of everything. He’s the one at fault.”

“He’s had a long-term affair. He won’t fight you on material assets. Just do as I say.”

Matt, I would make him pay for this. For the rest of his life.

The gift he sent was a two-thousand-dollar handbag. Almost immediately, Maya called.

“Someone’s lucky,” she chirped, her voice dripping with fake envy. “Sends me a dramatic last will yesterday, and today he’s already dropping two grand on a bag for you. I’m telling you, you’re being too hard on him. Just forgive him already!”

Listening to her defend him, even hinting that I was being petty, was so absurd I almost laughed. As if I were the one in the wrong.

My silence on the other end must have tipped her off.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I don’t feel like talking. Probably just jet lag. I’m tired.”

“Okay, well, get some rest. We’ll catch up later!”

After hanging up, I went on the offensive. I scoured all of Maya’s social media accounts. We’d been friends for years, but our “best friend” status had only solidified in the last five—thanks to Matt, who brought us closer. I found nothing suspicious on her main pages.

Then I started looking through her ‘following’ lists. One profile stood out—a cartoon avatar of a chubby girl in traditional dress, just her type. I clicked on it. It was her secret account. A digital shrine to her and Matt.

Though the man in the photos and videos never showed his full face, I’d known Matt for eight years. I recognized the back of his head, the curve of his jaw in a fleeting side profile. It was him.

They had a secret life, a secret home, all behind my back.

I watched every single video. The account’s bio read: The Fox and the Rabbit: Eight years and three months of love.

July 13, 2017: Saw the Rabbit for the first time. Love at first sight! Got his number. Found out we go to the same university and shamelessly joined the same club as him.

October 1, 2017: My roommate has become friends with my crush. She’s so fake, always using that baby voice around him. Do all men fall for that crap?

She got to him first. It hurts so much.

December 25, 2017: There’s hope! He told me he’s conflicted. He said he feels like he has more in common with me!

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