Chapter 4

Aurore's next message came through a second later. "He wrote to me for four years after we broke up. Four years. Even when he was with you."

My hands trembled as I opened the first file. It was a picture of them, Adelard and Aurore, on a beach at sunset. He was holding her, his face buried in her hair, a look of pure bliss on his face. I remembered that beach. I remembered asking him to take a picture with me there, and he had refused, saying he hated photos.

Another file was a video. Adelard was acting like a child, making silly faces and begging Aurore for a bite of her ice cream. It was a side of him I had never seen. He had always been so serious, so mature with me. With her, he was just a boy in love.

Then came the letters. I opened the first one.

My dearest Aurore, it began.

My breath caught. He had never called me 'dearest'.

I forced myself to read on. The letter was dated two years ago, on our first anniversary. I remembered that day perfectly. We'd had a romantic dinner. He' d given me a simple bracelet and told me he saw a future with me.

But in the letter, he wrote to Aurore: Another year passes, and my heart still belongs to you. This celebration feels hollow. Every happy moment is tinged with sadness because it's not with you. I miss you, my love.

I clicked through the letters, a timeline of my own relationship laid bare as a complete and utter lie. A ski trip we took for my birthday? He wrote to her about how cold he felt without her. The day he got the first round of major funding for his tech startup, a day we celebrated with champagne? He wrote to her, All this success means nothing if I can't share it with you.

The last letter was from just six months ago. Christmas. I had spent days planning the perfect meal, his favorite dishes. I thought he' d been happy.

Another boring holiday, he' d written. I pretended to enjoy it for her sake, but all I could think about was you. I wish I was with you.

He loved her. He had always, only, ever loved her.

The sound of a keycard in the door made me jump. I shoved my phone under the pillow just as Adelard walked in.

"You're still awake?" he asked, looking exhausted.

"I thought you'd be staying with her tonight," I said, my voice sharp.

"We can't," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We have to keep up the appearance that she and I aren't 'together' yet. For her parents. It's all part of the charade."

He plugged his phone in to charge and went into the bathroom. The water started running. A moment later, his phone screen lit up on the nightstand. A constant stream of messages from Aurore.

I miss your arms around me.

Tonight felt so real. Just like old times.

I can't wait until you're mine again, for real this time.

Each message was a fresh stab of pain. I curled into a ball, my body shaking with silent sobs.

The water shut off. Adelard came out of the bathroom, a towel around his waist. He saw my shaking shoulders. "Arah? Are you crying?"

He sat on the edge of the bed, his expression softening with guilt. He thought I was crying over the fake proposal in the lobby. He had no idea.

"I'm sorry about tonight," he said softly. "It's all just temporary."

I took a deep, shuddering breath and sat up, wiping my eyes. I had to be strong. I had to see this through. "It's fine," I lied. "But if we're supposed to be keeping our distance for Aurore's sake, maybe we should get separate rooms. It'll be more convincing."

He looked at me, a searching expression in his eyes. He seemed to be looking for a hidden meaning, but I kept my face a blank mask.

Finally, he nodded. "You're right. That's a good idea. For the act."

He stood up to leave. At the door, he paused. "After this is all over, Arah. I promise. I'll cut her off for good. It will just be you and me."

I watched him go, and a bitter smile touched my lips.

There was no 'you and me'. There was no 'after'. It was already over. He just didn't know it yet.