Me: "Liliana, what do you think I should do now?"
I stood there, staring blankly out the window. For years, Perry had been my entire world. Everything I did revolved around him. Now that he was gone, I felt like I had lost all purpose. I didn't even know why I woke up in the morning anymore.
Liliana: "Irène, he's just trash. Thank God you realized it before it was too late. Imagine finding out after the wedding."
Sitting next to me, Liliana wrapped her arms around me to comfort me. I could see the worry in her eyes, but my heart… it hurt even more.
I had cried every tear I had these past few days, but the heartbreak refused to disappear.
Liliana: "Irène, you'll forget him eventually. And you'll find a man a million times better than him."
I was really lucky to have her by my side at that moment. Without her, I wasn't sure I would've survived this far.
Liliana: "Get up, get dressed and put on some makeup. We're going shopping today. It'll do you good. You'll see—after this, Perry will be nothing but a bad memory."
She literally dragged me out of bed, forced me to change clothes and put on makeup. Then we headed to the nearest mall.
I knew this mall belonged to the company Perry worked for. Just thinking about it made me want to leave, but Liliana pulled me straight inside without hesitation. I knew she was only trying to help me move forward, so I stayed even though I really didn't want to.
We walked around, picking things out, and soon Liliana's hands were full of shopping bags. As for me, I hadn't bought anything—I just wasn't in the mood.
Suddenly, I spotted a couple not far away. It was Perry and Courtney. My heart twisted painfully and I immediately turned around, panicked. I just wanted to disappear.
Liliana: "Irène, why are you pulling me? I'm not done shopping."
Me: "Liliana, let's go somewhere else. I don't want to stay here."
I turned my back toward Perry and Courtney who were approaching, desperate not to be seen by them. Liliana frowned, puzzled by my sudden change—but she didn't have time to say anything before they reached us.
Courtney: "Irène, what a coincidence. I didn't think you'd get over the breakup so quickly. Only a few days, and you're already in the mood to go shopping."
Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, especially hearing her mock me like that. But I refused to show even a trace of sadness or weakness. They weren't worth it.
After seeing them together, Liliana finally understood why I wanted to leave. She immediately stepped in front of me to shield me.
Liliana: "Well, look who it is… The mistress. The boyfriend thief. Figures."
Courtney's face darkened instantly under Liliana's contemptuous stare.
Courtney: "Liliana, watch your mouth! Perry and I truly love each other. If it weren't for Irène, we would've been together long ago!"
Liliana rolled her eyes in disgust.
Liliana: "Every mistress says the same thing since the dawn of time. 'We truly love each other'… Please. You're just a slut who dared seduce her cousin's fiancé. It's disgusting."
Courtney glared furiously at her.
Courtney: "Who are you calling a slut, Liliana? You'd better take that back. Who's the slut here?"
Liliana: "You, obviously. You're a shameless slut."
Liliana shot her a defiant look.
I quickly grabbed Liliana's arm as their argument began attracting stares from people around us.
Perry: "There's no need to argue with her. Let's go."
Courtney: "Perry! They insulted me! Do you even care?!"
Perry: "Irène, your friend…"
He looked at me with an annoyed expression, as if Courtney were the victim.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest when he said my name. I turned toward him with indifference, holding back the tears.
Perry: "Your friend, Liliana? Shouldn't she apologize for those abusive insults?"
His voice was cold. Distant.
The man who once loved me, protected me, reassured me… was now defending another woman against me.
So to him, I mattered less than a mistress.
Me: "Liliana didn't say anything wrong. You're the one who cheated on me. You betrayed me for seven years. And now you want my friend to apologize to… that? How dare you, Perry? How dare you ask for an apology?"
In that moment, I didn't care who was watching. I answered loudly and stepped closer to him. I had tolerated his betrayal, but asking for apologies? Did I look that easy to intimidate?
People around us began whispering quickly, almost all of them accusing Perry of cheating. I had always been so gentle… I had never raised my voice at him. But today was different. Today, I was furious. And Perry never expected me to call him out so openly, so loudly.
Courtney: "Irène, why are you doing this? Perry and I love each other! If you hadn't been in the way, we'd be married by now! How dare you play the victim? You're the one who forced Perry to stay with you!"
Me: "I forced him to stay? Ha… A scumbag like him— even if he begged me now, I wouldn't take him back. He disgusts me."
A sarcastic smile curled at my lips as I stared coldly at the pathetic couple. I could never tolerate betrayal. No matter how much I once loved Perry… everything ended the moment I saw them in bed together.
Me: "I would never forgive a man who cheated on me!"
Courtney: "You're saying that because no one wants you. Look at yourself—what man would even be interested in someone like you?"
Her arrogant, disdainful tone almost made me laugh.
Liliana: "Oh, there will be men who want Irène, trust me. But you? Aside from Perry… no one. A guy would have to be blind to fall for a slut like you."
Liliana snapped back instantly. She couldn't stand Courtney's arrogance toward me.
Courtney: "Oh yeah? You're sure? Then show me! Show me what kind of man would want her!"
Courtney knew how much I had loved Perry. Back then, when we were close, I used to talk about him all the time. I thought she cared about me. I trusted her entirely, told her everything.
Thinking back now… I had been so stupid. She wasn't listening because she cared—she was gathering information to seduce him.
What an idiot I had been…
Me: "You want to know what kind of man would be interested in me? Fine. I'll show you."
Without thinking twice, I marched straight toward Nathan, who was standing a bit farther away. I had no idea why he was there, but it didn't matter. I was fueled by anger, pain, and wounded pride. I grabbed his arm and looked up at him with a smile.