Real Friend, Fake Fiancee

I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling in my lap, staring blankly at the floor. Arec's words echoed in my head, repeating over and over again until I couldn't think of anything else. I had always known this marriage wasn't real, that it was just a contract between us. But in that moment, when Arec looked at me with suspicion, as if I'd done something wrong, something inside me cracked.

It wasn't the contract. It wasn't even Joanne, not really. It was the fact that, in that moment, Arec didn't trust me. He had chosen to believe Joanne over me.

The memory of his voice, his tone, gnawed at me. "Are you sure there's nothing going on, Ella? Joanne seemed upset. She's never lied to me before."

Never lied to him before? The words felt like a slap. Did he really think I'd lie to him? That I'd try to push Joanne away for no reason?

I rubbed my temples, trying to soothe the growing headache.