My Many Lovers
ch1
I was walking home from work, my bag heavy on my shoulder, when my phone buzzed. A name I didn’t recognize flashed across the screen.
Lila
I muttered. I hadn’t saved the number not a colleague, not a friend. Curiosity nudged my thumb, and I opened the message.
It was him. My boyfriend. And another woman. Their faces were close, laughing like I didn’t exist. My fingers froze over the screen. My vision blurred..
I scrolled. Another photo. This one a kiss. My stomach twisted, and my legs nearly gave out. My world tilted.
I Barely made it home, heart hammering. The apartment felt foreign, suffocating. And then… there they were. Through the living room archway, he had his arms around her. Their lips met.
I dropped my bag. Books spilled across the floor. The sound made them look up.
The woman went pale. He smirked. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed like he owned the room.
Lila
What the hell are you doing?
I demanded, voice cracking.
jake
Lia… hey! Wait, it’s not what it looks like!
He blinked, pacing nervously, like a kid caught stealing cookies.
Lila
Not what it looks like? I just got proof from some random number photos of you! And now I see you here, kissing her! What the hell, Jake?!
He shrugged like it was no big deal.
jake
I didn’t mean to! She just… we were talking, and then… well… it happened. I didn’t uh think it’d be a big deal!
He let out a dramatic sigh, flopping onto the couch like a child having a tantrum.
jake
Fine! Yes! I kissed her. But I didn’t mean it like that! I just… I don’t know… needed attention. You’re so dramatic, Lia. Always thinking the worst. You know that, right?
Lila
Attention? You’re cheating on me! And now you act like I’m crazy?
He leaned closer, voice soft, sly
jake
Look… I didn’t want to hurt you. I… liked you. You were useful. You made me look good. You helped me get what I wanted. Isn’t that what love is anyway
I felt my chest collapse.
Lila
Useful? Convenient? You
He cut me off with a shrug, rolling his eyes like I was a child throwing a tantrum.
jake
Come on, Lia… you’re taking this way too seriously. I didn’t plan for you to find out. That’s your problem, not mine.
My fists clenched. Anger, grief, and betrayal surged. I grabbed the nearest stack of his things books, papers, his jacket and threw them toward the door.
Lila
You think you can just sit here after what you did? Get out! Take your things and leave
My voice shook but carried every ounce of fury.
He froze, blinking at me, then slowly stepped back, like he finally realized I meant it.
I didn’t look away as he moved toward the door. No dramatic fight, no tantrum — just the soft shuffle of his shoes, the rustle of his jacket, and then the click of the door shutting behind him. The apartment felt emptier, quieter.
I sank against the wall, chest heaving, staring at the empty space where he had been. My heart throbbed painfully. Every laugh we had shared, every promise, every late-night conversation—they all felt like lies. The betrayal burned deep inside me, sharper than anything I’d ever known.
I Curled up on the floor, hugging my knees, the silence pressing down like a weight I couldn’t lift. My hands trembled as I pulled out my phone. My fingers hovered over a single name the only person I could call right now.
Ch2
The room felt colder than usual. I sat cross-legged on the floor, phone trembling in my hand. My chest felt heavy, and every time I thought of him, the sting of betrayal grew sharper
I whispered, voice breaking.
Lila
He… he cheated on me. I don’t know what to do. Can I come over?
The second I closed the door behind me at Nia’s apartment, I sank onto the couch like I’d been carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. My hands were still shaking, my chest tight, and my eyes red from crying.
Nia didn’t say a word at first. She just wrapped me in a warm, steady hug, letting me collapse into her like I hadn’t realized I needed to.
nia
I’m so sorry. want me to come pick you up?
Lila
I… I can’t believe he
Lila
I gave him everything… and he just… threw it all away
nia
you’re safe now. i’ve got you
Lila
Thanks…i just feel so stupid for not seeing it sooner
Nia rubbed my back gently.
I scrolled through the messages again, each one cutting a little deeper: photos of him laughing with another woman, messages I hadn’t known existed
nia
I know, Lila. I know. But you didn’t deserve this. None of it was your fault.
Lila
I don’t understand… he said he loved me. He promised me everything… and then he just… threw it all away.
nia
Love isn’t supposed to hurt like this. he chose to betray you and that is not love, that is hatred
Lila
I still just… can’t believe someone i trusted love and gave my all too could do something like that.
I pulled back slightly, wiping my tears on my sleeve, my hands trembling
Lila
It’s just… I feel so stupid. I helped him. I supported him, stood by him through everything—the best, the worst… And he… he used me. Lied to me. And now—
Lila
I don’t even know who I am without him.
Nia reached over and held my hand. No words, just steady comfort. I felt my body shaking but I finally felt I had someone to support me.
nia
Lila, you’re still you. That’s the thing. And he? He doesn’t get to decide your worth. You’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone not while I’m here.
I took a shaky breath, the tears still flowing but a little slower
Lila
I just… I don’t know how to even begin to deal with this. Everything feels… broken
nia
It’s okay to feel broken, We’ll take it one step at a time. First, we get you through tonight. Then we figure out the next step together. I promise.
For the first time since the betrayal, a small flicker of hope sparked inside me. Maybe I wasn’t completely lost. Maybe I could start to put the pieces of myself back together with Nia by my side.
Ch3
It had been a month since I have been cheated on. I had been staying at my Nia apartment, letting time dull the sharpest edges of my heartbreak. The walls felt safe, cozy even, but every invitation to leave, to see the city, felt impossible.
nia
Lila do you go to the Philp party
Lila
Nia you know how I feel about going out right
nia
Come on…just for a little bit
Lila
No. not today. maybe not ever
nia
You can’t stay locked in forever. just a tiny step.
I glanced at Nia texts, full of party invites and photos. Her life was a whirlwind of lights, music, and strangers she laughed effortlessly. Part of me envied her, even as I shivered at the thought of stepping outside.
Lila
You’re really going out again tonight?
nia
Duh! can’t waste life in your room, come join!
Lila
I…i don’t think i can
nia
No excuses. you need this.
I sighed. The fear hadn’t left me entirely, but the spark of curiosity, of wanting to feel normal again was there.
The music hit before we even crossed the threshold bass rolling through the walls, lights flashing in wild streaks of pink and blue. The air smelled of perfume, sweat, and something sweet from the snack table. My chest tightened.
Nia said, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.
nia
Just one drink.Tonight’s just to celebrate you being back out there.
I swallowed hard, nodding
She smiled and pushed me gently forward
nia
Good. I’ll be inside. Grab me if you need anything
I moved through the crowd. Bodies pressed past, laughter echoed above the music, and lights flashed in dizzying bursts. My eyes snagged on him , tall, dark hair falling just right, sleeves rolled up, standing near the snack table. Hot, I thought, heart flipping.
I Tried to look away, to focus on Nia, but my elbow brushed someone, then someone else, and suddenly my drink betrayed me.
Cold liquid exploded across his chest.
He froze. Gray eyes stormy under the lights, staring at me.
Lila
Oh my I’m so sorry! Someone pushed me
Stranger
Watch where you’re going
He snapped, flicking at his shirt, muscles tight.
Heat flooded my cheeks. Of course. The first guy I notice in weeks and he’s a complete jerk.
Lila
Guess basic manners are extinct tonight.
A flicker of something amusement? irritation? crossed his face before it hardened again
Stranger
Maybe try holding a drink like an adult.
Lila
Maybe try accepting an apology
We glared at each other, the party fading behind us, the bass thudding like a heartbeat in the distance.
Finally, he let out a low laugh
Stranger
You’ve got some fight. I’ll give you that
I muttered, though my pulse betrayed me.
Stranger
Not an insult either,
He said, stepping just a little closer, enough for me to catch the faint scent of cedar and citrus.
I folded my arms, trying to appear unbothered
I Stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing my cheeks.
He said, appearing at the far end.
Lila
Why are you following me
He smirked, hands in his pockets.
Stranger
I'm not following. Just… ended up here too
I muttered, crossing my arms.
Stranger
Or maybe I just like watching you spill drinks on me
Stranger
And yet, here I am
He said, stepping a little closer, the faint scent of cedar and citrus brushing past me.
Stranger
You have to admit, you made a memorable first impression.
I muttered, trying to sound annoyed
Lila
. Don’t read too much into it.
Stranger
We’ll see how tonight goes.
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