{"id":9768,"date":"2026-10-02T07:29:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T07:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsamazingday.store\/?p=9768"},"modified":"2026-10-02T07:29:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T07:29:31","slug":"my-boyfriend-swore-his-friendship-with-his-ex-was-innocent-until-a-single-photo-changed-everything-story-of-the-day-9758-9-5nhqc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsamazingday.store\/?p=9768","title":{"rendered":"My Boyfriend Swore His Friendship With His Ex Was Innocent Until a Single Photo Changed Everything \u2014 Story of the Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I never thought of myself as the jealous type. I had a great job, a stable life, and no reason to doubt my relationship until I saw the photo. A cozy caf\u00e9. Two familiar smiles. And a single comment that made my blood run cold.<\/p>\n

I never considered myself the jealous type. Really, I didn\u2019t.<\/div>\n
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I had a great job, a beautifully decorated apartment, and a stable relationship with Callum. He was the kind of guy you looked for after twenty-five\u2014calm, reliable, the type you could plan a future with.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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No unnecessary drama, no emotional roller coasters.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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But there was one \u201cbut\u201d\u2014his ex, Renee.At first, I convinced myself it wasn\u2019t an issue. I was a mature, confident woman. Plenty of people stayed friends with their exes. It was normal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum had been honest from the start\u2014he and Renee had history, but that was all in the past. No feelings, just friendship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I believed him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I even tolerated their occasional coffee meetups, their inside jokes that I wasn\u2019t part of, and the \u201ccoincidences\u201d where she happened to show up at the same places we did.<\/p>\n

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But lately, she had been appearing way too often. And at that moment, staring at my phone, I was shocked. Odette, my best friend, had sent me a message.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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No words. Just a photo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I tapped to open it. Callum. Renee.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Sitting at a cozy little caf\u00e9, leaning in close, smiling like they had the most straightforward connection in the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I scrolled down. The time stamp said, \u201cOne hour ago.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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One hour ago, Callum had texted me:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWorking late, deadline\u2019s killing me. Talk later.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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And right below the picture was a comment that sent a cold wave through my body.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSo happy you guys are back together!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I blinked. Once. Twice. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A joke? A misunderstanding?<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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My phone buzzed. Odette calling. I picked up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cGirl.\u201d Her voice was sharp. \u201cIf that were my man, his car would be on bricks right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOdette, we\u2019re not committing crimes today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWho said anything about crimes? I\u2019m talking about minor inconveniences. Maybe a flat tire, a mysteriously missing phone charger\u2026 a WiFi outage when he really needs it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I stared at the picture again. That wasn\u2019t some casual run-in. That wasn\u2019t just a friendship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum lied. And I was about to find out why.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I didn\u2019t confront him immediately. That would have been too easy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Instead, I played along.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When Callum walked through the door, I was already in the kitchen, stirring a pot of pasta like I had spent the whole evening blissfully unaware of his little caf\u00e9 meetup.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHey, babe,\u201d he said, dropping his keys on the counter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I turned with a warm smile, stepping forward to kiss him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cLong day?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe worst,\u201d he sighed, wrapping his arms around me. \u201cBack-to-back calls, my brain is fried.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Liar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hummed as if I believed him and turned back to the stove.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDinner\u2019s almost ready. I figured we could just have a quiet night, maybe watch something?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cPerfect. Exactly what I need.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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We ate together, the clinking of silverware filling the comfortable silence. I twirled my pasta around my fork, watching him out of the corner of my eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He looked relaxed, utterly unaware that I knew.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSo, any interesting projects at work?\u201d I asked casually, taking a sip of my favorite tea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cJust the usual. Meetings, deadlines, a never-ending inbox. You know how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I nodded, pretending to be engrossed in my plate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSounds exhausting. At least you got a little break today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNot really,\u201d he sighed. \u201cBarely had time to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Liar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Instead, I chuckled, shaking my head.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou need to stop working yourself into the ground. You\u2019ll become one of those guys who answer emails during date night.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He laughed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019ll never be me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Oh, Callum. You have no idea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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And then, curled up on the couch, I watched as he slowly let his guard down. His phone buzzed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I felt him shift slightly. In a flash, he flipped it over, screen-down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh,\u201d I said lightly, pretending not to care. \u201cWork again?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He barely glanced at me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYeah. Just some last-minute changes to a project.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I tilted my head, acting like I was thinking about something.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSpeaking of work\u2026 have you seen Renee this week?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He stiffened. Just for a second. I would\u2019ve missed it if I hadn\u2019t been watching for it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cNo,\u201d he said too quickly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I picked up my mug and took a slow sip of tea.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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He exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWell\u2026 I ran into her the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There it was.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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He reached for his glass of water.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cWe just caught up for a bit. Nothing important.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I smiled sweetly, nodding like I completely bought it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Oh, Callum. You\u2019re good. But I\u2019m better.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We continued watching the movie, his arm draped over my shoulders. His breathing evened out as exhaustion took over. I let myself relax against him, waiting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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And then, finally\u2014he fell asleep. I carefully shifted, letting his arm slide off me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Finally, it was my chance. I reached for his phone. Face ID. Easy enough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I leaned in, resting his head in my lap, stroking his hair softly. He mumbled something in his sleep but didn\u2019t stir.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cSweet dreams, babe,\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Then, smoothly, I lifted his phone to his face. The screen unlocked. I held my breath as I glanced at his notifications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Renee: Can we meet tomorrow? Same caf\u00e9?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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A cold wave washed over me. So she was comfortable enough to text him directly about meeting up. Not even a hint of caution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I stared at the message momentarily, my mind already working through the possibilities. Then, just as smoothly, I locked his phone, placing it back on the couch beside him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On that note, I already knew what I had to do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I slid out from under Callum\u2019s arm, grabbing my own phone as I tiptoed out of the room. The moment I closed the bedroom door behind me, I dialed the bank.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The following day, Callum was in for a surprise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tears? Screaming? That wasn\u2019t my style.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If Callum wanted to play his little games, I\u2019d let him think he was winning\u2014right until I flipped the board.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I scrolled through my phone, found the caf\u00e9 where he and Renee had their \u201cfriendly little meeting,\u201d and placed an order. A special delivery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Then, I waited. Two hours later, my phone rang.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum. Perfect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I let it buzz a few times before answering, keeping my voice light.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHey, babe. How\u2019s your night going?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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There was silence. Then, in a confused and frustrated tone, \u201cAyla\u2026 what did you do?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I grinned, swirling my milkshake with my straw.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cHmm? You sound stressed. Did something happen?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe waiter just brought something to my table.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I feigned curiosity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh? Was it the check? I assume Renee is covering, considering, well\u2026\u201d I let the sentence dangle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cAyla,\u201d he said tightly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou sent flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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I leaned back on the couch, adjusting the blanket around me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cDid I?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe card\u2026\u201d He cut himself off, then took a breath. \u201d \u2018ENJOY YOUR TRASHY ROMANCE!.\u2019 What is that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I hummed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cJust a thoughtful gesture. Friends deserve flowers, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cYou are unbelievable,\u201d he muttered as if he had just realized I wasn\u2019t the kind of woman to sit around feeling sorry for herself. \u201cAyla, why are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh, I don\u2019t know, maybe because my boyfriend told me he was working late while having cozy coffee dates with his ex?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIt wasn\u2019t like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cMmm. Sure, babe.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Another heavy pause. Then, the final blow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe waiter just handed me the bill\u2026 my card was declined.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I bit back a laugh. \u201cWell, given your recent overtime expenses, I thought a little budgeting was in order.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cAyla\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cRelax, Callum,\u201d I murmured smoothly. \u201cI\u2019m just playing fair.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There was another long pause, the kind that made me picture him sitting there with his jaws clenched, shoulders tense, scrambling for control of a situation that had already slipped through his fingers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Then, finally, he spoke. \u201cI\u2019m coming home.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cGood. I\u2019ll be waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But before I could hang up, he added, \u201cI\u2019m not coming alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I stared at the screen. Excitement. The game wasn\u2019t over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In twenty minutes, the front door opened, and I straightened.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum walked in looking exhausted\u2014but not guilty. And then I saw her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Renee. Standing right behind him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Why did he bring her here? Is this it? Is he about to confirm my worst fear?<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum ran a hand through his hair. \u201cOkay. You want the truth?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI think I deserve that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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Renee sighed. \u201cAyla, I know how this looks, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cOh, do you?\u201d My voice was sharp. \u201cBecause from where I\u2019m standing, it looks exactly like I thought it would.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum held up a hand. \u201cJust listen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I forced myself to stay silent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI was buying you a gift. A custom ring. Renee is a jeweler. I asked for her help.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I blinked. That was\u2026 unexpected.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI figured telling you would ruin the surprise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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I let out a dry laugh. \u201cWell, mission accomplished.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Silence. And then, suddenly, the weight of it all hit me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I\u2019ve been spending two years with Callum. And yet, here I am\u2014setting traps, looking for proof of a betrayal that didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Not at him. At myself. I had let my own fears take over.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I exhaled. \u201cI screwed up.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Callum raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cI let my insecurities win. I didn\u2019t trust you. I jumped to conclusions, played games, and\u2026\u201d I groaned. \u201cThe note at the restaurant. God.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n