Chapter 3

The realization of the truth made me feel physically sick.

It felt like a massive boulder was crushing my chest, suffocating me.

The psychological theory was right—she had cheated with someone close.

And that fact alone proved that women could be infinitely more ruthless than men.

I had only met Harrison a few times, so we weren't close.

But Harper was different.

I had known her since Chloe and I first started dating.

Over all these years, we had hung out constantly. She was a major part of our lives.

Knowing what Chloe had done, how must they have looked at me during our Sunday barbecues?

Harrison must have felt so smug, looking down on me.

And Harper? She probably looked at me with pity and mockery, laughing at the idiot with the invisible green horns on his head.

And there I was, thinking I was the luckiest guy in the world.

Turns out, in their eyes, I was just a pathetic, clueless loser.

As these thoughts raced through my mind, my anger boiled over.

My eyes burned, and my vision blurred with pure rage.

Yet, somehow, I forced myself to stay in the car.

My naturally quiet temperament gave me a twisted kind of patience.

Rushing out there right now would solve nothing.

What I saw as "catching them in the act" would be easily explained away by those three.

They could make up any excuse. After all, they were just talking in a public parking lot. How could I prove anything?

I kept telling myself to stay calm. If I startled them now, I’d lose my chance.

Swallowing my rage, I grabbed my phone, zoomed in, and started taking photos.

Even though these photos didn't prove physical infidelity, they were a start.

I could build a case, piece by piece, until I had an airtight chain of evidence.

And that required time.

More than anything, it required me to be cold and calculating.

Up on the steps, Chloe seemed to be getting hysterical.

The three of them were arguing back and forth, waving their hands in frustration.

A few minutes later, Harrison turned and said something to Harper.

Harper shook her head, looked annoyed, and walked about thirty feet away, leaving them alone.

A private conversation?

This was another piece of the puzzle.

Even though Harrison was Chloe's boss, that professional relationship shouldn't have bypassed Chloe's lifelong best friend.

The fact that Harper had to step aside proved that whatever Chloe and Harrison were discussing, it had nothing to do with work.

They had a connection that overrode Chloe’s loyalty to her best friend.

I snapped pictures of this moment immediately.

Just as I was debating whether to follow them into the clinic, things took an unexpected turn.

Chloe yelled something, looking completely furious.

Then, she turned on her heel, got back into her car, and sped off, completely ignoring Harper and Harrison.

What the hell?

Weren't they here for an abortion? Why did she leave before even stepping foot inside the building?

I was baffled.

For a second, I didn't know whether to tail Chloe or stay and watch the siblings.

Before I could decide, Harper said a few angry words to Harrison, stomped her foot, got into her Audi, and drove away too.

Now, only Harrison was left on the steps.

He looked highly stressed. He didn't leave; instead, he lit a cigarette and leaned against the railing, smoking heavily.

This was my chance.

My anger flared up again, hotter than ever. Without a second thought, I pushed my car door open and stepped out.