Chapter 4: The Lie Between Us
Daniel knew something was wrong the second I walked through the door.
“What happened?””
I looked at him.
“Megan told me to ask you about two years ago.””
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
My heart sank.
“What happened?””
He sat down slowly.
“Emily…”
“No.””
I shook my head.
“Not another secret.””
He looked ashamed.
“There was a dinner.””
“With Megan?””
“Yes.””
My hands curled into fists.
“Why didn’t I know?””
“Because nothing happened.””
“That’s not an answer.””
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Megan tried to kiss me.””
The room went silent.
I couldn’t speak.
“She did what?””
“It was after Ryan and I helped them move.””
I stared at him.
“And you never told me?””
“I should have.””
“Yes.””
“I pushed her away.””
“But you hid it.””
He nodded.
“I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
“That you would lose your best friend.””
I laughed bitterly.
“So you protected her.””
“No.””
“You protected the friendship.””
He didn’t argue.
That hurt.
I walked upstairs.
I needed space.
But later that night, Daniel came to me with something else.
Something he had found.
A folder.
“Megan sent this to me months ago.””
I opened it.
Inside were printed photos.
Photos of me.
At work.
At the gym.
Having coffee.
My stomach turned.
“Why does she have these?””
Daniel looked terrified.
“I don’t know.””
I flipped through them.
They weren’t normal photos.
They were taken from far away.
Like someone was watching me.
Then I saw the final picture.
It was a photo of me and Daniel outside our house.
Taken through the trees.
On the back, Megan had written one sentence.
*“She has no idea how easy it is to replace her.””*
I dropped the picture.
This wasn’t jealousy.
This wasn’t a joke.
This was obsession.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman spoke.
“Is this Emily?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Laura.””
I frowned.
“I don’t think I know you.””
“You don’t.””
A pause.
“But I know Megan.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“How?””
May you like
Laura took a shaky breath.
“Because she destroyed my marriage too.””
