July
My boyfriend, Ethan, and I had been together
for three years. I noticed all his social media
handles were “July.” Assuming he just had a
sentimental attachment to that month, I didn’t
think much of it. Until our wedding day. His ex-
girlfriend showed up with a gift. The name on
the card? Juliet. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
He didn’t love July, he loved Juliet. My world
crumbled.
- 1.
At the reception, a girl in a white sundress,
clearly drunk, stumbled over to us. Ethan, face
like thunder, told her to cut it out. Ignoring him,
she turned to me with a sickly sweet smile.
“Hey, bride–to–be, I hear you’re pregnant.
Picked a name yet?” I instinctively cradled my
bump. “We’re thinking of calling her Lily,” I
replied softly. “Lily,” she giggled, her eyes
welling up as she stared at Ethan. “How could
you name her Lily? He doesn’t even want Lily
く
July
My boyfriend, Ethan, and I had been together
for three years. I noticed all his social media
handles were “July.” Assuming he just had a
sentimental attachment to that month, I didn’t
think much of it. Until our wedding day. His ex-
girlfriend showed up with a gift. The name on
the card? Juliet. It hit me like a ton of bricks.
He didn’t love July, he loved Juliet. My world
crumbled.
- 1.
At the reception, a girl in a white sundress,
clearly drunk, stumbled over to us. Ethan, face
like thunder, told her to cut it out. Ignoring him,
she turned to me with a sickly sweet smile.
“Hey, bride–to–be, I hear you’re pregnant.
Picked a name yet?” I instinctively cradled my
bump. “We’re thinking of calling her Lily,” |
replied softly. “Lily,” she giggled, her eyes
welling up as she stared at Ethan. “How could you name her Lily? He doesn’t even want Lily
<
anymore.” I froze, utterly confused. The air
thickened with awkward silence until Ethan’s
best man, Josh, jumped in. “She’s had a bit too
much to drink, Mrs. Miller. I’ll take her back to
the hotel.” After they left, I couldn’t hold back.
“Ethan, who was that?” I asked, my voice
trembling. He looked at me intently, his
expression carefully neutral. “Just an old
classmate.” I tried to press further, but he
swiftly changed the subject. “Honey, my client’s a little out of control. I need to go check on him.” “Okay…” I mumbled, swallowing the
questions that burned on my tongue. Watching him rush off, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach.
- 2.
My best friend, Chloe, burst into the bridal suite, a fancy gift box clutched in her hand. She slammed it down in front of me. “Mia, this is from your husband’s little side piece.” “Side… piece?” My heart leaped into my throat. The girl in white flashed in my mind, draining the color
<
from my face. “Yeah, the one who was
practically dry–humping Ethan’s leg and crying
like a banshee,” Chloe scoffed. “So
disrespectful, making a scene like that at someone else’s wedding…” Her words amplified
my anxiety. Chloe squeezed my shoulder
reassuringly. “Don’t worry, though. Ethan’s, like,
the poster boy for devoted husbands. He
wouldn’t do that to you.” She was right. Ethan
spoiled me rotten. Everyone said I was marrying
my Prince Charming. I shouldn’t doubt him.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to push away the
nagging feeling of dread. I absentmindedly
fiddled with the gift box while chatting with
Chloe. Suddenly, the name on the card caught
my eye. Juliet. Wait. Juliet…Lily… My blood ran
cold. The pieces clicked into place, and I felt
the air whoosh out of my lungs. My perfect
world shattered. “Mia? Are you crying? What’s
wrong?” Chloe’s voice was laced with panic.
“Where’s Ethan? Get him back here. I need to
talk to him, now!” “Okay, okay! I’ll find him. Just
breathe, Mia! You’ve gotta stay calm for the
<
- 3.
My hands shook as I handed Chloe my phone.
“Video call him,” I choked out, desperate to see
him. Chloe nodded, but Ethan hung up as soon
as the call connected. Gripping the edge of my
veil, I tilted my head back, tears streaming
down my face. “Call him again.” After countless
rejected calls, Ethan finally answered with a
voice call. His voice sounded strained. “Babe,
what’s wrong?” “Where are you?” I could barely
get the words out. “I’m…” He hesitated. “I’ll be
right back.” “Are you at the hotel? Did you go
to her?” I cried, my voice cracking. “Ethan, tell
me, who is Juliet?” Silence. I broke down,
sobbing uncontrollably until I couldn’t breathe,
