Chapter 4

Sarah once told me I was fearless, that I'd even try to peek if the sky fell.

But standing at that hotel room door, I felt a genuine tremor of fear.

Once that door opened, there would be no turning back for us.

My phone buzzed. It was Sarah.

"Hello?" Her voice sounded breathless. "I'll be home late tonight."

"Who is it?" Jason's voice was groggy.

"...Just a roommate."

I couldn't help but laugh outside the door, but the laughter soon turned to tears.

Ever since I could remember, I'd always known I would marry Sarah.

Our dads had jokingly suggested we'd make a good pair when we were kids. No one took it seriously, except me.

Because I loved her.

So when Sarah's family lost everything, I still married her without hesitation.

I started from nothing to build us a life, paid off all her family's debts.

...And then I became her "roommate" while she was hooking up with someone else.

Something inside me truly died.

"Sorry," I whispered, slowly wiping away my tears. "I can't do that."

A cold laugh echoed from the phone. "Trying to lock me out again? How many times will you pull this stunt before you get tired of it?"

"This time it's different."

"You think I'll believe that?"

Her voice rose, cutting through the door and the phone's static.

I stared blankly at the door, then slowly raised my hand and pressed the doorbell.

"Open the door."